Sunday Talks: Archivist Kate McBrien on eviction of Malaga Island

The story of Maine’s Malaga Island and the state’s decision in 1912 to get rid of its black and mixed-race fishing community is a dark chapter in history. The incident, in which state officials evicted all the islands non-white residents “for the good of the state and the cause of humanity,” has been told in numerous books and magazine articles. Including This Other Eden, which was shortlisted for numerous awards in 2023 including the Booker Prize and the National Book Award.

But those accounts haven’t always gotten the facts right, according to Maine State Archivist Kate McBrien. She’s been researching the history of Malaga Island for 20 years and on Sunday, July 28, at 2 p.m. will be presenting the information and photos she’s gathered at a free program at the Eastport Arts Center.

“Many of the pieces have simply perpetuated the myths about the people of Malaga that people…