Editing Rockport, Maine (section)

==History==
Rockport, or "the River", was settled in 1769 by Robert Thorndike. Goose River Village (as it was known until 1852) was originally part of the Megunticook Plantation, incorporated in 1791 as [[Camden, Maine|Camden]]. [[Shipbuilding]], [[ice harvesting]] and the manufacture of [[lime (mineral)|lime]] were important early industries.<ref name="MAGDE">{{cite book |last= Maine League of Historical Societies and Museums |editor=Doris A. Isaacson |title=Maine: A Guide 'Down East' |year=1970 |publisher=Courier-Gazette, Inc. |location=Rockland, Me | pages = 264–265 }}</ref> In 1817, three hundred casks of lime were sent to [[Washington, DC]] for use in the rebuilding of the [[United States Capitol]], which had been damaged by the British during the [[War of 1812]]. In 1852, the citizens of Goose River voted to change their village's name to Rockport for its rocky terrain.<ref>{{Citation
  | last = Varney
  | first = George J.
  | title = Gazetteer of the state of Maine. Camden (and Rockport)
  | place = Boston
  | publisher = Russell
  | year = 1886
  | url = http://history.rays-place.com/me/camden-me.htm }}
</ref> On February 25, 1891, Rockport officially split from Camden because of a dispute over the cost of constructing a bridge. The town of Rockport was born and from Camden it took half the population, three quarters of the land, and most importantly the profitable lime and ice industries.

Rockport has a longstanding reputation as an artists' community, with notable artists and art institutions playing a significant role in the town's economic and social life. Bay Chamber Concerts was established in 1961 as a continuation of the summer music instruction of the [[Curtis Institute]]. [[Mary Louise Curtis Bok Zimbalist|Mary Louise Curtis Bok]], central to founding both Bay Chamber Concerts and the Curtis Institute, was one of the largest landowners in Rockport, and has been credited with playing a vital role in significantly improving the landscaping of the village's inner harbor.<ref>Hebert, Richard A. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=1g8hAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Mary+Louise+Zim&pg=PA396 Modern Maine: Its Historic Background People and Resources]'', Vol. II, p. 396. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1951.</ref> At one time she owned most of the eastern shore of the harbor. Mary Lea Park, adjacent to the Rockport Opera House, is named in honor of both her and Rockport resident and [[violin]]ist Lea Luboshutz.<ref>[http://www.baychamberconcerts.org/history.php A History of Bay Chamber Concerts]</ref>

Rockport was the home of Andre the Seal, a [[harbor seal|seal]] adopted by the Goodridge family in 1961, and who was a significant tourist attraction in Rockport Harbor until his death in 1986. The seal's "owner" Harry Goodridge co-wrote a book about Andre, titled ''A Seal Called Andre''. The 1994 film ''[[Andre (film)|Andre]]'' was adapted from the book, although in the movie Andre is actually played by a [[sea lion]], not a seal. A statue of Andre sits beside the harbor in his honor.<ref>[http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/1/24/202421/400/904/688632 Marine Life Series: Andre the Harbor Seal]</ref> Rockport is also known for its [[Belted Galloway]] cattle. The cattle are raised at the 136-acre Aldermere Farm, which is owned and operated by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a statewide land conservation organization. The Belted Galloways remain one of the area's most popular attractions, and are often referred to as the "[[Oreo cookie]]" cows.<ref>[http://www.aldermere.org/about/history.html Aldermere Farm History]</ref>

The 1993 [[Warner Bros.]] film ''[[The Man Without a Face]]'', starring [[Mel Gibson]], Universal's 1995 film ''[[Casper (film)|Casper]]'', and [[Miramax]]'s 2001 film ''[[In the Bedroom]]'' were filmed in Rockport.

In 2008, ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine placed Rockport at the top of its list of the prettiest towns in America.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.forbestraveler.com/best-lists/americas-prettiest-towns-slide-1.html?thisSpeed=25000 |title=Forbes: "America's Prettiest Towns" |access-date=2009-08-02 |archive-date=2009-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705125334/http://www.forbestraveler.com/best-lists/americas-prettiest-towns-slide-1.html?thisSpeed=25000 |url-status=dead }}</ref>