Maine’s Oldest Town Is Well Over 300 Years Old

The history of the oldest town in Maine begins long before Maine separated from Massachusetts and became its own state in 1820.

In fact, the history of Maine's oldest town begins well before Massachusetts became the sixth state in 1788.

So, what is the oldest town in Maine, and how old is it?

The oldest town in Maine is Kittery

According to KitteryME.gov, the town was incorporated in 1647, more than a century and a quarter before the birth of the United States in 1776.

"It had three parishes: Lower (Kittery), Middle (Eliot) until 1810, and Upper (Berwick) until 1713," the town's website says.

The parishes broke apart before Maine became the 23rd state.

"In 1652, Kittery and York agreed to submit to the Massachusetts Bay Colony," according to the website.

Things to Know About Kittery, Maine

Kittery is the southernmost town in the state and is bordered by Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to the south.

Kittery is connected to Portsmouth by three bridges that span the Piscataqua River: the Memorial Bridge, the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge, and the Piscataqua River Bridge.

According to Maine.gov, the Piscataqua River Bridge carries 78,000 vehicles across the river each day via six lanes of traffic on Interstate 95.

Kittery is also known for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which sits on Seavey's Island on the Maine side of the Piscataqua River.

PNS was founded on June 12, 1800, making it the U.S. Navy's oldest continuously operating shipyard.

Kittery is also known as a charming coastal town with spectacular views, sandy beaches, and vibrant shopping and dining scenes.

Some describe it as a quintessential coastal New England town.

Read more: What Is Maine's Smallest Town by Area?

So there you have it. Kittery is the oldest town in Maine.

To learn more about its rich history, visit KitteryME.gov.