Finding Friendship Oral History Project

  • Collection DOI:
    Principal Investigator:
    Sally Merrick, Gaylea Hynd
  • The Finding Friendship Oral History Project is a joint effort of the Friendship Museum and the Friendship Village School, directed by Sally Merrick, museum volunteer, and Gaylea Hynd, teacher. In 2003-2004 sixth grade students conducted taped interviews of three generations of lobstermen and women, as well as others associated with the lobstering industry. Printed copies of the interviews and CDs of the printed transcripts are available at the Friendship Museum in Friendship, Maine.

Interviewee Sort descending Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
William McKusic Finding Friendship Oral History Project

William McKusic, commonly known as Bill, was born on September 21, 1971, and relocated from Rockland to Friendship ten years ago. With a background in plumbing and carpentry, Bill has been actively involved in lobstering for the past two decades, primarily serving as a sternman. Alongside his lobstering profession, he is a father of three children.

Joshua Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Winfield Lash Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Winfield Lash, commonly known as Winnie Lash, was born on July 5, 1918, and spent the majority of his life in Friendship, Maine. He and his wife Barbara have been married for 63 years and have seven children, 17 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren. After working at the Camden Shipbuilding Company and Bath Ironworks, he worked at the W. S. Carter Boat Yard, which was owned by his uncle, Scott Carter. When his uncle died in 1946, he and Charles Sylvester bought the yard. Two years later, Sylvester sold his share to Winnie’s brother Douglas, and the yard became known as Lash Brothers.

Shawn, Steven Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School