Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Borneo orangutan
Malaysia • 12 days, 11 nights
Wild Borneo: Secrets of an Ancient Rainforest
from
Pastel de nata
Portugal • 8 days, 7 nights
Portugal: A Culinary Adventure from Porto to Lisbon
from
View all trips
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Maine Rockland The Center for Science, Leadership & Marine Research

The Center for Science, Leadership & Marine Research

On Hurricane Island, a former ghost town has been transformed into a forward-thinking research center.

Rockland, Maine

Added By
Madhushree Ghosh
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  eaglebrook/Flickr
  eaglebrook/Flickr
  eaglebrook/Flickr
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Center for Science, Leadership and Marine Research is a scientific and education community on Hurricane Island. 

In 1870, General Davis Tillson—in partnership with Garret Coughlin and Patrick McNamara—purchased Hurricane Island for $1,000 with an intent to quarry the island’s pinkish-gray stone. In those days, water transportation was very efficient and granite transport via schooners was a familiar sight on the Eastern Seaboard.

General Tillson was able to secure government contracts for Civil War memorials and buildings that regularly utilized the granite from Hurricane Island. The granite quarrying was at its peak in 1870-1900 with the granite transported to build such iconic structures as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Washington Monument. In 1914, the quarry was closed after the last shipment sank in a shipwreck near Rockland, leading to the town being shuttered overnight. The city was abandoned in a hurry, leaving behind an eerie ghost town and homes filled with personal effects. 

In 2009, the island became the field research station for the Center of Science, Leadership and Marine Research. At the center, programs for middle school through adult-level courses focus on marine sciences, STEM education, human ecology, sustainable living technology, and citizen science initiatives. The programs take place on Hurricane Island and in the off-season, the center’s staff work with Maine's teachers and students to continue to develop science and leadership education.

Know Before You Go

Hurricane Island is 10 miles southeast of Rockland and two miles southwest of Vinalhaven in the Fox Islands archipelago. Since the island is completely off-the-grid, the Center for Science, Leadership and Marine Research uses solar panels to generate power throughout the island. The center grows food on-site and is expanding a greenhouse. Resource management is a key learning experience for students who visit the island. The center encourages people to visit the island; however, you’ll need your own boat transportation to get there. Once you’ve arrived, you can check out the information board near the dock and take a map. Bear in mind that this is an active research center, and do not enter any buildings unless a staff member has invited you. You may also visit for free on a Volunteer Day, or pay to attend one of their Farm-to-Table Dinners.

Community Contributors

Added By

Madhushree Ghosh

Edited By

tylercole

  • tylercole

Published

March 12, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.islandinstitute.org/
  • http://www.hurricaneisland.net/
The Center for Science, Leadership & Marine Research
Rockland, Maine
United States
44.121031, -69.123907
Visit Website

Nearby Places

Project Puffin Visitor Center

Rockland, Maine

miles away

Beech Nut

Rockport, Maine

miles away

Owls Head Transportation Museum

Owls Head, Maine

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rockland

Rockland

Maine

Places 2

Nearby Places

Project Puffin Visitor Center

Rockland, Maine

miles away

Beech Nut

Rockport, Maine

miles away

Owls Head Transportation Museum

Owls Head, Maine

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rockland

Rockland

Maine

Places 2
Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.