Winterport, Maine - A Whimsical Wedding Destination
Winterport, Maine - A Whimsical Maine Wedding Venue Destination
The town of Winterport, Maine, is a perfect place to host your Whimsical Maine Wedding!
History of Winterport
Winterport, Maine is an old river town, settled in 1766, during the American Revolution. The railroads didn't come to Bangor until 1855. This made Penobscot River the main source of transportation at the time. Because the river was icebound into Bangor, all goods and travelers had to be unloaded in Winterport and transported to Bangor and all points north, by wagons or sleds. This gave the town its name as the "Winter Port" of the Bangor region.
"Old maps of this town show many farms existing in the rural area where now stand abandoned cellars and orchards as mute evidence of what was once thriving agricultural activity. The old records, photos, and postcards in the Historical Association museum reveal the tremendous changes that have occurred here.
Where stood livery stables, carriages, harness, and blacksmith shops, there are now only an occasional hitching post and watering trough to remind us of the days when nearly everyone kept a horse. In time, an Exxon station, the Winterport Mercantile, and the restored Treat Building replaced the Rankin store, the corn and flour mill, the vest factory, and the Frank Haley business where he sold everything from stoves to caskets. On Steamboat Avenue, there was a vinegar factory, along with coopers shops, fishermen’s shacks and the wharf for the Boston boats. Although many of the 19th century buildings still stand, all have seen numerous changes in use and purpose."
Winterport Today
The town of Winterport today is a peaceful destination, approximately 25-30 minutes from Downtown Bangor a destination in itself, and the Bangor International Airport. The town borders the Penobscot River.
Winterport has a unique collection of shops. Tea Mania is a local tea shop that ships their teas all over the world. The Wooden Spoon, a bakery, is the newest addition to Main Street. The town also has Winterport Winery and Penobscot Bay Brewery. Next door to the Winery and Brewery is The Bacon Tree, a restaurant famous for its breakfasts and Friday night dinners.
Accommodations include the Old Winterport Commercial House, An 1833 inn and stagecoach stop converted into a 4,000 sq. ft. antique shop and second-floor bed & breakfast with private baths and the Guest House at the Crooked Steeple. In addition, a short drive down the road will take you to the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Fort Knox - a great viewpoint and a photo perfect spot, as well as another coastal town, Belfast, Maine.
Winterport: A Maine Wedding Destination
Imagine: your guests arrive in a quaint New England town. They are amazed by the friendliness of everyone they meet. They are in awe of the river, the historic New England buildings preserved in a quaint village. Your guests are in for a remarkable experience.
Places to stay: Wedding parties have the benefit of accessing a private space above the Crooked Steeple for getting ready, or as a Honeymoon Suite for the night of the wedding. The Crooked Steeple Meeting Hall can accommodate up to 12 guests! The Old Winterport Commerical House is walking distance from The Crooked Steeple. It has 5 guest rooms and is available to rent entirely for wedding parties, or individually for your guests. The 1812 Pierce House is available for rental as well and can host up to 20 guests. It's located about half a mile from the Crooked Steeple Hall and is a great space to host a rehearsal lobster bake or a private Sunday morning brunch.
Winterport, Maine Wedding Photo Opportunities
There are many antique buildings that make for stunning photo opportunities. The Penobscot River is also accessible at the end of Kaler Street, a few hundred feet from Crooked Steeple, and from many locations as well as the docks at the Winterport Boat Yard. Blueberry Hill, the town blueberry fields, offer stunning views of the surrounding areas. Mount Waldo, in Frankfort, offers 360 degrees views and on a clear day you can see Mount Katadin in Baxter State Park.
Convenient Maine Wedding Ceremony + Reception location
Your guests have traveled to be with you - let them relax in the historic accommodations at Crooked Steeple Hall and the 1812 Pierce House. Spread over 3 properties, your guests have plenty of space to enjoy their stay. Winterport is located centrally to many Maine must-sees: Acadia National Park, the coastal towns of Belfast, Camden, and Rockland, close to Bangor, and for the more adventerous of your group, Baxter State Park and Mount Katadin.
You can hold your ceremony inside or outside at The Union Meeting House, a historical building that has been well maintained. The 1820 Union Meeting House is situated on the hill overlooking the village of Winterport and the Penobscot River. It’s the perfect place to hold your ceremony and capture many beautiful wedding pictures, with stepped lawns and original granite steps. After your ceremony, head to your reception at Crooked Steeple Hall. The main Hall is on the first floor, with a large balcony overlooking it all, where you can create a lounge space for your guests. The lower level contains the Speakeasy, a great place for the groomsmen or after-hours celebrations to continue into the night. After the wedding, the bride and groom can enjoy the onsite suite at Crooked Steeple, while the wedding party retires just down the road to the 1812 Pierce House and the Old Winterport Commercial House.