“Historic Sporting Camps of Moosehead Lake” with Roger Moody

The Camden Public Library welcomes Roger Allen Moody for his presentation, “Historic Sporting Camps of Moosehead Lake,” based on his book published this year. The event will take place on Tuesday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Picker Room and on Zoom.

This is a hybrid program and will take place in person and on Zoom. To attend virtually, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TnFpWUHTSUeRVgEQZjoICA

Moody will share the past, as well as the continuing present, of these camps. Sporting camps at some 35 sites around Moosehead Lake have evolved from the 1880s and 1890s and continue to exist today.

“As a long-term Moosehead Lake camp owner, I’ve often wondered about the histories of the sporting camps on the lake. How have these camps responded to the economic, technological, and cultural changes brought by the passage of time from the post-Civil War era to that of the present day; to the changes from transportation by stage, railroads, and steamers to road networks and automobiles; to the 40-hour work week and increases in leisure time; to the impact of “back to nature” movements; and to the cultural favor or disfavor of hunting and fishing?

“These questions begged for exploration. Fortunately, sporting camps at some 35 sites around the lake have evolved from the 1880s and 1890s to continue to exist today. From economic necessity, all current camps, even those that have existed for 100 years or more, place increased emphasis on recreational and outdoor experiences aside from hunting and fishing. They have thrived by adjusting and evolving over the years to offer customer services and experiences which reflect social and cultural trends, and the ongoing development of new technologies.” — Roger Moody

Roger Moody is a graduate of the University of Maine where he majored in history and government and holds a graduate degree in Public Administration from Syracuse University. His career includes service as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and employment in local and State governments in Connecticut. In Maine, in a public service career spanning 28 years, he served as municipal manager in both Ellsworth and Camden, and as the Finance and Operations Manager for the Bangor School Department.

After retiring as Camden’s Town Manager in 2002, Roger worked for several years as Vice President for Community Development and Government Banking at Camden National Bank, and was then elected for two terms as a Knox County Commissioner (2008-2016). He has served in leadership roles in community nonprofits in each of the municipalities in which he has resided.

Over the past 8 years, he has authored 4 books about aspects of Maine history, written a dozen articles for Maine Boats, Homes, & Harbors magazine, and recently wrote an article published in WoodenBoat.

Roger is married to his high school sweetheart Audrey (Simpson), and their married son Nathan lives and works in the San Francisco Bay area.