Canoes, Cartography, and the Northwoods: Lucius L. Hubbard’s Moosehead Legacy

Presented by historian and author Tommy Carbone

Step back into the Maine wilderness of the 1880s through the lens of Dr. Lucius L. Hubbard—Harvard-educated explorer, writer, and mapmaker—whose birch-bark canoe journey across the Moosehead region became one of the most celebrated chronicles of its time. Traveling with two guides, a companion, and a camera, Hubbard recorded the natural and cultural richness of the Northwoods in vivid detail.

In this engaging presentation, local historian and author Tommy Carbone brings Hubbard’s legacy to life, highlighting his influence on the region’s literary, cartographic, and historical record. Carbone is the editor of the newly annotated editions of Hubbard’s iconic books—A Guide to Moosehead Lake and Northern Maine and Woods and Lakes of Maine—which expanded public access to Hubbard’s work with fresh historical context and rich visuals.

Discover how Hubbard’s meticulously drafted Map of Northern Maine guided generations of sportsmen and lumbermen, and how his careful documentation of Native place names earned praise from historian Fannie Hardy Eckstorm.

Signed annotated editions of Hubbard’s books will be available for purchase at the event.

While attending the presentation, be sure to visit our adjacent exhibit featuring original maps, guidebooks, and archival photographs. This display offers a compelling backdrop to the stories and insights shared during the event—an immersive extension of Hubbard’s extraordinary journey and enduring contributions to the history of the Maine Northwoods.