Professor of English Ellen Taylor co-organized the first-ever conference on 19th c. Maine writer Celia Thaxter. The groundbreaking conference was held Sept. 10-13 on Star Island, NH, in the Isles of Shoals, where Thaxter’s family owned a grand hotel. Bringing together literary critics, historians, gardeners, and artists, the conference explored Thaxter’s work and legacy. Taylor is herself a Thaxter scholar and has contributed widely to the popularization of the field. Taylor’s scholarship enriches her teaching and brings Maine’s literary heritage to audiences both inside and outside the classroom, reflecting UMA’s commitment to connecting learning with the communities it serves.