Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary

Text by Beverly McAloon
Audios created and produced by Meghan Vigeant
Images from Swan's Island Historical Society

Swan’s Island is enjoyed because of its simplicity of living. During our ancestors’ time, the outside world was kept at a distance by the means of travel during the time period. Today it can be kept at a distance; a ferry distance.

The Islanders at Play Exhibit represents this "simplicity of free time" used by our ancestors and enjoyed by present day Swan’s Islanders. What better ways to spend time with friends and family than singing and dancing. It’s a beautiful day to walk to the beach and have a family picnic or meet friends. Let’s get together with friends for a game of softball or go ice skating.

All that is needed is oneself and some free time. What once were the free time activities of our ancestors are still the activities sought after by the island population.

Music

Music was and is part of the island fabric. It is said that in 1918 there was one piano in every fourth home. That was equal to fifty-two pianos on the island. Family members would not only learn how to play the piano but many people could also play a guitar, an accordion or a fiddle.

Music, including singing, provided family entertainment and fostered friendships throughout the larger island community. One resident for whom music helped create bonds with others was Clyde Torrey.

Clyde lived in Atlantic, one of three villages in Swan’s Island, and was well known for playing his accordion and singing when people got together. He was primarily a farmer who also fished and did other odd jobs. Besides singing and playing the accordion, Clyde loved to tell stories and would welcome any visitor who came by to chat.

In 1987, Doug Day brought another form of musical entertainment to the island. The musicians were from "off island" and Doug would have them play music in a barn at his home that he had converted into a small performance area.

Then in 1988, Doug, with a group of island volunteers began hosting the Sweet Chariot Music Festival. It continues to this day. A group of musicians, many from Maine, gather and perform in the Odd Fellows Hall for three nights usually in early August.

Yachts club members and windjammer passengers arrive in Burnt Coat Harbor on the nights of the performances to listen to the music. Part of the Sweet Chariot tradition is to go out into the harbor once the windjammers have arrived, and serenade the passengers before coming ashore for the evening's performance.