The Brooklin Boat Yard pier in Center Harbor is an enigmatic sight that is best seen in the open air, as French artists say, “en plein air.” It’s one of the many places that can’t be seen as it really is in a photograph’s reproduction of an instant.
It’s best to see the ever-shifting light, shadows and reflections here while feeling a sea breeze and breathing in a sea scent. And, as part of getting to know the place, you should see, feel and smell the differences that weather, seasons, tides and various perspectives make.
This pier shows the scars of modern replacements of historic parts that were destroyed by a nasty winter nor’easter in January of 2024. Metal and composite walkways now balance on the ancient granite block pilings; a bigger shed seemingly stands precariously on stilts and, in winter and early spring, the docking floats and colorful small boats are gone and its gangway is pulled up like a pirate’s plank, perhaps for long-winded photographers.
(Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on March 20 and 23, 2026.)