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 Collection Sort ascending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Steven G. Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Steven, an experienced lobsterman hailing from Friendship Village, lobsters with his older brother, a junior in high school who owns his own lobster boat. They follow in the footsteps of their father and uncles. Steven's lobstering adventures take him to various locations, including the river, Friendship Long Island, Hall Island, Franklin Island, Egg Rock, and several other spots along the way, venturing out past Egg Rock and fishing in waters as deep as thirty-five fathoms.

Jimmy Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Virgil Richards Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Virgil Richards, born on May 22, 1936, in Waldoboro, is a fourth-generation resident of Friendship, where he has lived since 1940. He comes from a family with a deep lobstering tradition. With five siblings, three children, and three grandchildren, Virgil has spent 42 years as a lobsterman, making it his lifelong occupation. While lobstering is his primary focus, his special interest lies in his grandchildren.

Jimmy, Dillon Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Philip Genthner Jr. Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Philip Genthner, Jr. was born on February 13, 1988, in Friendship, where he has spent his entire life. Hailing from a family deeply rooted in the area, Philip represents the third generation of Genthners in Friendship. As a junior at Medomak Valley High School, he actively participates in the school's baseball and wrestling teams, showcasing his athletic prowess. Philip's true passion is lobstering, a pursuit he embarked upon at the tender age of eight. He serves as the captain of his own lobster boat.

Steven Genthner Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Albert Simmons Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Albert Simmons was born on February 17, 1938, and his family has lived in Friendship, Maine for three generations. He and his wife, Peggy, have two children and four grandchildren. A lobsterman for 50 years, he has also served in the Navy and as Fire Chief of Friendship.  His hobbies include building models of working boats, hunting, fishing, reading, and cooking.   

Alexiee Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Philip Genthner, Sr. Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Philip Genthner, Sr. was born on July 1, 1961, in Friendship, Maine, where he has lived his entire life. He comes from a long line of lobstermen, with his uncles and brothers also being involved in the industry. Philip has been lobstering for over 30 years and is the proud owner and captain of his own boat, the Melinda Kay. He has two sons who are also active lobstermen. In addition to his work as a lobsterman, Philip is a wrestling coach and enjoys watching NASCAR racing.

Steven Genthner Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Alfred Simmons Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Alfred "Buddy" Simmons, born on August 6, 1926, in the small coastal town of Friendship, was widely recognized in the community. He devoted his entire life to lobstering, a trade deeply intertwined with his family heritage. Buddy spent 65 years as a lobster fisherman and shared his insights in an interview shortly before his passing on February 9, 2004. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, five daughters, and 11 grandchildren, although his only son tragically died in a car accident during his teenage years.

Kristy, Suzanne Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Andrew Havener Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Andrew Havener is a lobsterman hailing from Friendship, where his family has resided for generations. Born on September 30, 1979, Andrew developed a connection to the sea and lobstering, influenced by his family's long-standing tradition in the trade. He embarked on his lobstering journey at a young age, accompanying his father and eventually obtaining his own skiff and traps by the age of 13. As the captain of his 34-foot fiberglass boat named the Christo Salva, Andrew navigates the waters off the coast of Friendship with expertise and dedication.

Douglas Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Carl Simmons Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Carl Simmons, born on June 17, 1927, is the oldest working lobsterman in Friendship. Carl has been lobstering for 65 years, since the age of twelve, and like his father and grandfather before him.  Carl left school at age to pursue lobstering as a full-time profession.  In addition to lobstering, Carl has also worked as a skilled carpenter and nurtured a love for hunting as a hobby. Carl has three children and six grandchildren.

John , Cameo Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Sam Lash Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Sam Lash, born on September 4, 1986, is a dedicated lobsterman hailing from Friendship, where his family has deep roots spanning four generations. Growing up surrounded by the ocean, Sam developed a passion for fishing and hunting from an early age. At the age of twelve, he was introduced to the world of lobstering by his cousin Isaac, and since then, he has been hooked on the profession. With five years of experience under his belt, Sam has cultivated a deep love and appreciation for the intricacies of lobstering.

Brandon Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School
Gilbert Simmons Finding Friendship Oral History Project

Gilbert Simmons, a lobster fisherman and boat builder, was born on November 25, 1949, and has always resided in Friendship, Maine. He is the owner of Simmons Boat Works, Incorporated, located at 11 Bayberry Drive, Friendship. Gilbert, along with his wife Sharon, has two children named Jason and Ellen and one grandchild. With a passion for hunting and playing, Gilbert spends his free time engaging in these activities. His expertise lies in building custom boats, particularly lobster boats, and he has been in the boat-building business since approximately 1983.

Carl Friendship, ME Friendship Museum , Friendship Village School