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Alfred Ames, the president of the Machias Lumber Company in Washington County, Maine, purchased a 16mm moving picture camera in 1929 and with the help of a friend, Dr. Howard Kane, meticulously recorded the labor of woodsmen and horses. They created a 30- minute silent film called From Stump to Ship.

In 1985, the Maine Humanities Council awarded grant funds to Karan Sheldon and David Weiss, who went on to found Northeast Historic Film, to revive this important film. Additional support was provided by Champion International Paper Company. Ames’ script was recorded by Tim Sample, a Maine native, humorist, and professional narrator.

Nearly eight thousand people viewed the film over a five-month period. From Stump to Ship was exhibited as part of the Maine Humanities Council presentations in Orono and Portland and twenty small towns across Maine from October 1985 through March 1986. Eight hundred people, for example, viewed From Stump to Ship in the town of Machias–a staggering number considering the population hovered near 2,000. 

Since then, this film has become a staple in schools and libraries.  It was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress and continues to entertain, educate and keep us linked to our Maine roots.