Join us July 15, 2025 for a trip to Machias, Historic Gem of Washington County.

This one-day trip highlights the history and scenery of Machias and two nearby areas, Machiasport and Roque Bluffs State Park.

The town of Machias is the county seat for Washington County and a lovely but less-traveled part of Downeast. The word Machias in the Passamaquoddy language means “bad little falls”, which refers to the beautiful and rugged waterfalls located on the Machias River in the center of town. We will be visiting the historic Burnham Tavern, Bad Little Falls Park, The Gates House Museum, Jasper Beach, and Roque Bluffs State Park.

Burnham Tavern

The Margaretta Affair

The town became famous as the location of the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War, 250 years ago this year. Today, you can visit Burnham Tavern (built in 1770), where the patriots came up with their audacious plan to take on the British, and which was set up as a hospital during the battle.

For more info click here : http://www.burnhamtavern.com/

You can read more about the battle here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Machias

Bad Little Falls

Machias is a Passamaquoddy word that means “bad little falls,” an appropriate name for this place, where the Machias River cuts through the center of town, falling in a churning froth of turbulent current.

For more info click here: http://www.downeastfisheriestrail.org/sites/bad-little-falls-park/

Gates House Museum

Nearby Machiasport is known for the 1810 Gates House Museum as well as the unique Jasper Beach.

For more info click here: https://machiasporthistoricalsociety.org/index.html

  At Jasper Beach

Jasper Beach is a unique beach covered with millions of beautiful water-rounded stones – and no sand. The only other beach like it in the world is in Japan!

For more info click here: http://coastalcare.org/2011/02/jasper-beach-machiasport-maine-usa/

  Roque Bluffs State Park

Roque Bluffs State Park includes a lovely sand beach – unusual in this area of dramatic rocky cliffs – a freshwater pond, several easy hiking loops, and picnic areas. We will have a pamphlet with trail maps available for those who are interested.

For more info click here: https://stateparks.com/roque_bluffs_state_park_in_maine.html