Twenty-five years ago, the dream was born—a vision of creating spaces where travelers could feel at home.
Fifteen years ago, I launched Rare Finds Travel, helping others discover the kind of magical, off-the-beaten-path experiences that have always inspired me.
Five years ago, that dream took shape when I opened The Cracked Mug, my first little bed and breakfast. Soon after, my love of hosting grew into a tradition—serving up hearty, three-course breakfasts, just like I used to for my son's football team.
And now, after years of dreaming and scheming, I'm beyond thrilled to say: I own The Monhegan House! Stepping into a long line of incredible women who have run this inn since 1872, I can't wait to welcome you and share the magic of Monhegan.
A legacy of hospitality
The Monhegan House began as a private residence owned by the Simmons family before Edward Brackett transformed it into a hotel in the late 19th century. As tourism grew, he expanded the building, reopening it in 1894 as the Monhegan House, which quickly became a favorite among visitors.
Each spring, the Brackett family traveled from New Harbor, Maine, to open the hotel, even bringing a cow for fresh milk. The Brackett children attended Monhegan School, while Mr. Brackett played in the Monhegan Island Coronet Band.
On January 5, 1924, the Monhegan House was destroyed by fire. It was later rebuilt in 1927 in a new location, where it still stands today. The Monhegan House remains an enduring part of the island's history, reflecting its long tradition of hospitality.
Image may be subject to copyright
Image may be subject to copyright
A legacy of hospitality
The Monhegan House began as a private residence owned by the Simmons family before Edward Brackett transformed it into a hotel in the late 19th century. As tourism grew, he expanded the building, reopening it in 1894 as the Monhegan House, which quickly became a favorite among visitors.
Each spring, the Brackett family traveled from New Harbor, Maine, to open the hotel, even bringing a cow for fresh milk. The Brackett children attended Monhegan School, while Mr. Brackett played in the Monhegan Island Coronet Band.
On January 5, 1924, the Monhegan House was destroyed by fire. It was later rebuilt in 1927 on the same site, where it still stands today. The Monhegan House remains an enduring part of the island's history, reflecting its long tradition of hospitality.
Image may be subject to copyright
Our Island Home
Monhegan—originally known as Monchiggon, or "out-to-sea island" in the Abenaki language—has long drawn people to its rocky shores. Native Americans fished its waters and moved through its wooded terrain long before European arrival. In the 1600s, Monhegan became a seasonal fishing station for British ships, with cod dried along the cliffs before being shipped across the Atlantic. Centuries later, in the late 1800s, artists began arriving—drawn by the island's striking light, rugged beauty, and sense of solitude.
Over time, Monhegan became home to a thriving artist colony, inspiring the work of painters like Edward Hopper, Rockwell Kent, and George Bellows. Today, more than 350 acres of the island are protected by the Monhegan Associates, a land trust founded in 1954 by conservationist Theodore Edison. Thanks to their care, much of the island remains wild, walkable, and wonderfully unchanged.
