What is Herring Gut?
“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder…he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.”
— Rachel Carson
Herring Gut is a unique coastal science center with educational programs tailored to reach a wide range of audiences. Our expanded programming satisfies the curiosity of Pre-K children all the way up through adults.
From Aquatots to Watershed Watchers, we’ve got you covered! Our marine and environmental science-based hands-on experiences will connect you to the coast, expand your knowledge of aquaponics, aquaculture, and the ocean, and leave you with a sense of wonder.
What does Herring Gut mean?
A gut is a narrow passage or strait flowing between an island and the mainland. Port Clyde's harbor was first known as Herring Gut, a reference to the rich herring schools that traveled the Maine coast in mid to late summer. The herring were regularly harvested and some of these images were captured in paintings, such as The Harbor at Herring Gut by N.C. Wyeth.
The Harbor at Herring Gut by N.C. Wyeth, 1925
FOUNDER
Phyllis Wyeth
Phyllis Wyeth (1940 - 2019) founded the Herring Gut Learning Center in 1999. Inspired by her mother, Alice du Pont Mills, an environmental activist who raised her to “leave the world a better place.” Wyeth led her life with a dedication to the environment and giving back to her community. Wyeth created Herring Gut Learning Center with the goal of teaching local children about aquaculture and marine conservation and to help preserve Maine’s traditional fishing communities. Wyeth was later awarded the NOAA Fisheries Environmental Hero award in 2002 for her efforts with the organization.
While a life-altering auto accident left her disabled at age 20, Wyeth’s spirit remained ever determined, steadfast and positive throughout her entire life. She was a noted philanthropist, conservationist, environmentalist, arts supporter, accomplished horsewoman and a staunch advocate for the rights of the disabled.
Wyeth had an extraordinary career in public service, both advocating for the arts and for the rights of the disabled. She worked as a teacher for the Terry Children's Psychiatric Center in Wilmington, Delaware, and spent many years in Washington, D.C., working as a consultant for the National Endowment for the Arts; as vice-chairperson of the National Committee on Arts for the Handicapped (now known as VSA, the international organization on arts and disability); and assisted with the National Very Special Arts Festival. She also served on multiple boards, including the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art, the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Mary Chichester duPont Foundation, the National Resources Defense Council, and as Trustee Emeritus of the Herring Gut Learning Center. She was appointed to the National Endowment for the Arts and Handicapped Advisory Task Force to the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals and served on the President’s Committee on the Employment of the Handicapped.
