A Year on Monhegan Island

Some places in the United States are so secluded or remote that life there is different from elsewhere in the country. Monhegan Island, off the coast of Maine, is one such place. With only seventy-five permanent residents, a year on Monhegan is divided into two vastly different seasons. In summer, an influx of tourists dramatically increases the population. Winter brings solitude and tranquillity, as the close-knit community celebrates annual traditions and fishermen set the lobster traps. With little traffic and no crime, Monhegan is safe, and family and community ties are strong. Yet its isolation can be tedious, and living there demands self-reliance and cooperation. In chronicling a year on Monhegan, this photo essay reveals the commitment and sacrifice necessary to protect the island and its way of life.