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Congressional Daily Record
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September 15, 2026
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Download official Senate Record PDFReturn to issue contextMs. COLLINS. Mr. President, located on U.S. Route 1 near the 45th parallel and nestled among the forests and rivers of eastern Maine sits the town of East Machias, now celebrating its bicentennial year. Taking its name from the swift-flowing river the Passamaquoddy called “bad little falls,” East Machias is known for its beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife, Colonial history, and warm, small-town community.
established as a British Colony. Records of trading posts in East Machias can be found as early as 1633, while the Colony wasn't officially settled until more than a century later, in 1763. In 1765, East Machias' first sawmill was built, launching a rich lumbering and shipbuilding industry which would remain the backbone of the economy for centuries. This industry was driven both by the forests of eastern Maine and the proximity to the Machias River system. These rivers also helped East Machias become a hub for trade and commerce and proved critical to the development of the region following the American Revolutionary War.
school founded in 1792. The Academy's classes were originally conducted in Machias, taking place in the legendary Burnham Tavern—the headquarters of the patriots that fought and won the first naval battle of the American Revolution at Machias Bay—and then the Masonic Hall until the first school building was opened in East Machias in 1823. Today, Washington Academy is a high-achieving school that serves the local communities as well as international students from more than 20 countries.
beautiful historic district, which was officially recognized by the National Park Service in 1973. The area encompasses the centers of the lumber and shipping industries, numerous houses built between 1760 and 1880, and several churches, including the First Congregational Church and the Former Church of the Disciples of Christ. The district also houses the archeological remains of four separate river-powered lumber and grain mills.
eastern Maine, East Machias is a popular destination for outdoors enthusiasts in all seasons. The appeal of East Machias to travelers and Mainers alike are the characteristics of quintessential Maine. It is a pleasure to congratulate the people of East Machias on this 200th anniversary and to wish them all the best in the years to come.