The living history experience provided by a vacation at the Memorial Building is a truly unique opportunity to enjoy the hostel style, communal living experience as the veterans designed it.

The Memorial Building is a licensed lodge with 13 guest rooms for those interested in a late 19th century period vacation and immersion in history.

Since the days it was constructed, the building was a site for the veterans to reconnect to their fellow soldiers in a beautiful setting. The Memorial provides a taste of the fellowship that the vets shared.

For four years, the regiment marched, fought, and died side by side. After the war, the survivors vowed to maintain the bonds and the friendships they had formed. This Memorial was where those bonds were renewed each year.

You are invited to experience the surroundings and traditions of the 8th Maine veterans in their Memorial Building. Enjoy our sun decks, shorefront, communal dining room, fireside gatherings, and full moon parties. In addition, we have numerous activities available in the Memorial Hall including cards, games, puzzles, sing-a-longs and Ping-Pong.

For History buffs, we have an extensive collection of Civil War Books, soldier's diaries and memorabilia. We also have a substantial collection of material on life on Peaks Island and in the Portland area over the last 136 years.

Most of these materials are available in our museum room located in the main hall. It was formerly known as the Veteran's room and used for those who were unable to negotiate the stairs to the second floor.

We have a computer, scanner and printer located in this room to support researchers and those seeking to explore their genealogy. We also have broadband internet and WiFi service available to our guests.

Please contact the Host or Hostess for access to this fine facility.

In addition, other Peaks Island businesses provide a host of services for visitors. They provide rental bikes for touring the island, fishing equipment, fine dining and casual food restaurants, kayaks for rent and touring, instruction in kayaking skills and marine eco-systems, artist galleries, tennis, horseback riding and other sporting facilities.

And of course there are all the shops, galleries, museums, theaters and restaurants a short ferry ride away in the Old Port section of Portland. Casco Bay Lines which runs the ferry service also has boat tours of the harbor and the Calendar Islands. And the Portland Schooner Company provides similar tours on classic sailing boats.