LONGFELLOW DAYS 2026: Finding Your Voice

 In this, our 22nd year of honoring the legacy of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, we continue to offer poets, presentations, music, workshops, tours, and an interfaithservice. As ever, we’ll conclude with a festive open mic celebration on Longfellow’s birthday. 

 This year’s theme, “Finding Your Voice” offers an ideal opportunity to explore the distinct acts of creating, writing, performing and enjoying poetry. Throughout February, there are chances to hear over 50 poets and community members read original work and poems they enjoy.

Longfellow Days is all about poetry!  Audiences of all ages are invited and all events are free.  Help us honor and explore the distinct acts of creating, writing, performing, and enjoying poetry.

Sunday, February 1 at 1:00 PM ~ SUNDAY READINGS ~ PART ONE

Lancaster Lounge, Moulton Union at Bowdoin College (New Location)

Join Poets, Samaa Abdurraqib, Jeanne Bamforth, and David Stankiewicz for the first in our series of four Sunday Poetry Readings in our new location in Lancaster Lounge in Moulton Union, with a seat for everyone.

For more details: Sunday Readings Part One 

Wednesday, February 4 at 1:00 PM ~ WINTER WISDOM: A Poet’s Dilemma

Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Middle Street, Brunswick

 Highlighting our "Finding Your Voice” theme, we focus on the poet’s extra challenge:  Sharing a poem aloud! This presentation offers video of famous poets, readings and insights by local poets in-person, followed by your questions and discussion.  Co-sponsored with Midcoast Senior College.

For more details: A Poet's Dilemma

Sunday, February 8 at 1:00 PM ~ SUNDAY READINGS ~ PART TWO

Lancaster Lounge, Moulton Union at Bowdoin College (New Location)

 Rescheduled from 2025 snow cancellation.  Join these Maine poets:  Gibson Fay LeBlanc, Dawn Potter, and Mike Bove.

For more details: Sunday Readings, Part Two

Thursday, February 12 at 2 PM ~ INTERPRETING POEMS 

Pejepscot History Center, 159 Park Row

 Once again Karin Dillman will provide a fresh, inviting approach to interpreting poems. Participants will discuss poems by Denise Levertov and Anthony Hecht. Registration is Required and Limited to 20.  email: outreach@pejepscot.org with Subject: “Interpreting Poems.” Please include name(s) of registrants and a phone number.  Refreshments. Co-Sponsored with Pejepscot History Center.

For more details: Interpreting Poems

 Saturday, February 14 at 11 AM & 1 PM ~ TOURS OF THE CHAMBERLAIN HOUSE

226 Maine Street, Brunswick

 Gemma Cannon, author of Voices of the Night, will lead two 70-minute tours of the house, focusing on Henry’s early writing and his first wife, Mary. Each tour is limited to 15 people and Registration is Required. Email: outreach@pejepscot.orgwith Subject: “LD Tour” Please give preferred time, registrant name(s), and a phone number.  Co-Sponsored with Pejepscot History Center.

For more details: Tours of the Chamberlain House

Sunday, February 15 at 10:00 AM ~ INTERFAITH SERVICE:  One Way to Embody Resilience 

Unitarian Universalist Church,1 Middle Street, Brunswick

 Our annual interfaith Longfellow Days service explores how discovering and using your voice purposefully is one way of embodying resilience. Come for the poetry, the music, the community, and the opportunity to make connections.  Service led by Rev. Dr. Kharma Amos, Minister. 

For more details: Interfaith Service

Sunday, February 15 at 1:00 PM ~ SUNDAY READINGS ~ PART THREE

Lancaster Hall, Moulton Union at Bowdoin College (New Location)

Our rescheduled readings from 2025 Tribute to Poets - 

Today we remember three Longfellow Days poets who departed in 2024: Sally Cowperthwaite reads poetry by her father, Steve Cowperthwaite. James Brasfield reads work by his classmate and friend, Rob Farnsworth. Maryli Tiemann reads poetry by her mentor, Ruth Bookey and introduces Nicole Chvatal, reading her own work.  

For more details: Sunday Readings, Part Three

Friday, February 20 at 1:00 PM ~ Christmas Bells ~ Longfellow’s Poem and the Civil War 

Merrymeeting Room, Thornton Oaks, 25 Thornton Way (off Baribeau)

Author John Babin will speak on Longfellow’s inspiration for the poem “Christmas Bells,” written during the American Civil War, and explain how this classic Longfellow poem became the beloved Christmas carol.

For more details:  Christmas Bells

Sunday, February 22 at 1:00 PM ~ SUNDAY READINGS ~ PART FOUR

Lancaster Lounge, Moulton Union at Bowdoin College (New Location)

 We close our 2026 Readings with three more Maine poets:  Marcia Brown, Marita O’Neil and Kate Kearns.

For more details: Sunday Readings, Part Four

Friday, February 27 at 5:30 PM ~ OPEN MIC & LONGFELLOW’S 219th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Middle Street, Brunswick

Our annual Open Mic with host Ren Bernier, a cappella music by Bowdoin’s “Longfellows,” and BIRTHDAY CAKE.  Come share your poem or another’s that you appreciate. Sign up begins at 5:15 Guidelines: One Page, Limit of 25 Readers.

“Over the years we’ve had many emerging poets step to our Open Mic hosted by Ren Bernier,” said Longfellow Days’ co-chair, Maryli Tiemann, “including local farmers, students, folks who had never shared their work before.  Audiences are welcoming and inspired.  We all enjoy spotlighting poetry from throughout our community.”

For more details: Open Mic and Birthday Celebration

 For the schedule of Longfellow Days with complete details of all events, go to https://www.uubrunswick.org/programs/longfellow-days-2026/

 Longfellow Days’ Funders and Collaborators include: Bowdoin College, Brunswick Downtown Association, Midcoast Senior College, Nathaniel Davis Fund, Pejepscot History Center, The Senter Fund, Thornton Oaks, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick.  Thanks to sponsors, all events are free and open to the public.