History Commons^™

Marine Sciences At The University Of Maine, 1960-2015, Catherine Schmitt, Shelby Hartin

Maine History

The development of marine science research, teaching, and service at the University of Maine formally began in 1965, when Ira Darling and Clare Shane Darling transferred their 127-acre farm and woodlot on the Damariscotta River in South Bristol to the University. Their express purpose was to establish a marine laboratory. The gift fulfilled the decades old desire by University of Maine scientists and administrators to do just that. UMaine quickly began hiring faculty, starting research projects, building structures, developing courses, and creating ties to state and federal agencies. The transition from farm to world-class facility and laboratory was gradual, with …