Smithsonian Magazine has named Brunswick one of America’s “20 Best Small Towns” in its May 2012 edition.
In the publication’s rankings, Brunswick comes in at No. 13, preceded on the list by No. 12 Princeton, N.J., and followed by No. 14 Siloam Springs, Ark.
Smithsonian’s Aviva Shen wrote that “Brunswick is more than just a small fishing town some 25 miles north of Portland,” touting the town’s art scene and, in particular, Bowdoin College’s Museum of Art. Brunswick has a population of approximately 20,000 people.
“Harriet Beecher Stowe penned ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ in a house now owned by the college,” Shen wrote. “The town’s artistic sensibility isn’t just historical; it’s revived every year with the Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival, which awards prizes to the best local artists and craftspeople, and with ongoing performances at the well-regarded theaters Maine State Music Theatre and the community-based nonprofit Theater Project. Plus, there’s always activity at Frontier, a renovated mill space downtown that dishes up locally grown organic food with a side of cinema, live music, theater and local art.”
Great Barrington, Mass., tops the Smithsonian Magazine’s list at No. 1. The only other New England town included is Brattleboro, Vt., at No. 11.
According to the magazine, towns were chosen by using the geographic information systems company Esri to find “high concentrations of museums, historic sites, botanic gardens, resident orchestras, art galleries and other cultural assets common to big cities” in municipalities with populations smaller than 25,000.
It is a beautiful little town, we love it:)
Too leftwing.
You’re right, Brunswick would be a much nicer destination if the cable company supplied Fox news only. Add a radio station with only Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh and Brunswick would be the perfect little town for “Real Americans.”
Hee Hee
Having lived in Brunswick for ten years, it doesn’t surprise that it receved such a high rating.
But it is a very liberal college town.
“But it is a very liberal college town.” — Nothing wrong with that!!! ;>)
Hmmmmm…..I guess the people of Smithsonian forgot about the other small fishing towns in Maine…….we must live in “the other Maine”! Perhaps next time, they will proceed along the coast and take a look at the other “small fishing towns” and see just how beautiful and rich in art they are, too. But then again, have to promote areas that already have alot of tourist attraction year after year……
“Brunswick is more than just a small fishing town some 25 miles north of Portland,”
brunswick is a great, great town but it has absolutely zero fishing industry within it’s borders unless you consider hannafords fish department a major player. it just goes to show you cannot believe everything you read.
Well, considering “towns were chosen by using the geographic information systems company Esri”, it obviously isn’t right. Maybe a simple trip in a vehicle up and down the coast would give a more realistic account.
And LOL about the Hannaford’s fish department…..I like that one!
criteria,lol to be even considered for this,there are alot of small towns, but using their requirements I guess just about every town would not even be considered.
But congrats Brunswick