Returning to the Ark

For centuries, locals have called this house “The Ark.” It’s big, it sits up high, and it’s surrounded by water — the name stuck the way good nicknames do.

Before Pilgrim’s Inn, before websites and logos, The Ark was already here in everyday conversation. It became the first official name when the main house welcomed guests in 1889. In fact, The Ark endured for decades, until the late 1970s.

So we’re bringing it back.

This isn’t a reinvention. It’s a return: to a name rooted in Deer Isle, and in the particular feeling of this place — weather, tide, working waterfront, and the steady rhythm of people coming and going.

An ark, at its simplest, is a vessel for keeping what matters safe. The Ark also feels right because it suggests making room—for a wide range of guests, and for creativity in all its forms. That idea resonates with how we try to run the inn: caring for a historic building, welcoming guests well, and staying connected to the community around us.

Pilgrims are still very much welcome. We’re not creating a new identity — we’re returning to one the community already used for this building. The Ark helps keep us anchored to Deer Isle and to the values we want this place to practice every day.

In March you’ll see the name The Ark show up across the site and in our guest communications. Everything else you know us for stays the same. The FAQ below covers the practical details.

Andrew Schapiro +
Bosco Hernández

Cover image courtesy of the Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society

Frequently Asked Questions

Why change the name now?

This building has been known as The Ark longer than it has been named Pilgrim’s Inn. The Ark, as a name, has strong ties to this place—and to Deer Isle. Returning to this name keeps us grounded here and supports what we’re trying to do—inviting guests to gain a deeper connection with Deer Isle and what makes it special.

Does your contact information change (website, address, email)?

Our physical address and phone number stay the same. Our website and email are shifting to arkdeerisle.com as part of the transition. We’ll keep the previous links and addresses forwarding so messages still reach us.

How does this impact my existing reservation?

It doesn’t. Your dates, rate, room, and policies are unchanged, and your confirmation is still valid. If you have questions, reply to your confirmation email and we’ll take care of it.

Will you still be hosting Chef-in-Residence programs?

Yes. Our culinary program continues, and we’ll be sharing more details—and opening reservations—soon.

Why change the name now, especially after The New York Times recognition?

We’re honored to have been included in The New York Times’s list of the 50 Best Restaurants in the U.S. We didn’t chase it, and we’re grateful. The name change is separate—it’s something we’ve been considering since we took over stewardship of this building, its grounds, and its legacy, and it still feels like the right thing to do.

Will Pilgrim’s Inn gift certificates still work?

Yes. If your gift certificate says Pilgrim’s Inn, it’s still valid and we will honor it as usual.