Maine Historians Honored Boston Tea Party Figures

A commemorative marker for Elkanah Young was placed at his gravesite in Lamoine this week.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Historical

Screen-print poster illustration of a weathered stone plinth on a coastal Maine bluff with a tricorn hat ornament, evoking local historical heritage. — Historians installed a commemorative marker at the grave of Elkanah Young in Lamoine, Maine, one of five planned tributes across the state. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe local communities should actively celebrate and mark their connections to national history?

Historians have installed a commemorative marker at the grave of Elkanah Young in Lamoine, Maine. The event is part of a series of five ceremonies across the state honoring individuals with ties to the 1773 Boston Tea Party.

Why it matters

These ceremonies are part of a broader initiative to recognize historical figures as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding. The program highlights the local connections of individuals who participated in the pivotal protest.

The recognition program began in 2018 and includes markers for five individuals across Maine. Elkanah Young, the subject of the Lamoine ceremony, was born in 1745 and died in 1832.

The players

Elkanah Young

He was an individual with ties to the Boston Tea Party who was born in 1745 and lived until 1832.

Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum

This organization maintains historical records and partners with groups to conduct recognition ceremonies for participants.

Revolution 250

This organization works to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

Lemuel Trescott

He was a historical figure honored with a marker during a ceremony in Lubec.

Joseph Boardman

He is a historical figure scheduled to be honored with a marker on Islesboro.

The details

The Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum is partnering with the organization Revolution 250 to identify and honor these historic figures. Historians are traveling to multiple locations throughout Maine to install the markers, including recent stops in Lubec and Islesboro.

December 16, 1773: The Boston Tea Party occurred.
1832: Elkanah Young died.
Monday: Ceremony honoring Lemuel Trescott in Lubec.
Tuesday: Ceremony honoring Elkanah Young in Lamoine.
Wednesday: Ceremony honoring Joseph Boardman on Islesboro.

Culture Shift

These ceremonies reflect a broader societal shift toward reclaiming local narratives as the country approaches the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. By installing markers for figures like Elkanah Young, historians are decentralizing the historical legacy of the Boston Tea Party.

Residents in Lamoine, Lubec, and Islesboro now have new permanent historical markers to visit at local cemeteries. These installations serve as a tangible way for the local community to connect with early American history in their own backyards.

The takeaway

These events demonstrate how local history can offer a personal connection to significant national milestones. Readers interested in their own local history can often find similar records through regional historical societies or municipal archives.