After 15 years working to improve Bath’s downtown, Main Street Bath took Monday night off to celebrate its success and reflect on its impact on the City of Ships at the Maine Maritime Museum.

“Fifteen years. Really, it’s amazing to me how far we’ve come in Bath during that time,” said Main Street Bath President Gayle Hunt to the 130 people in attendance. “The Main Street movement grew out of the recognition that a community is only as strong as its core, and I think we are pretty strong in Bath.”

Despite having only two paid staff, the organization remains active in the community. Main Street Bath has welcomed several new businesses to the city, according to Director Jacob Korb, and the visitor center has had more than 20,000 visitors. In the past year, the organization also installed a new mural in the downtown titled “Spirit of Bath, City of Ships” and continues to work on several projects and events in the area.

The organization’s officers for 2017 were also announced at Monday’s gathering. Hunt, the current president, will serve as co-president with Elizabeth Knowlton in the coming year. Former president Brian Hatch was elected vice president, while Deanne Morong, Anita Demetropoulos and Sherry Owens were selected as treasurer, assistant treasurer and secretary, respectively. Two new board members were announced: Becky Welsh and Gretchen Jaeger.

“(Bath) was a magical place to grow up, but downtown was really a complete disaster,” said former president

Elena Vandervoort, reflecting on the period before Main Street Bath came onto the scene. But now “it is the most extraordinary little community.”

“This organization of merchants and business has created a camaraderie among owners of Bath, who have learned to work together, play together and celebrate success together,” said John Morse of the Sagadahock Real Estate Association.

Main Street Bath took the opportunity to hand out awards to recognize members and volunteers. In accepting a “Spirit of Bath” Award with Mustard Seed Bookstore owner Julie Shea, manager Susan Shipsey praised Main Street Bath for the community it has fostered in the city.

“What drew us to Bath was community. We felt it immediately,” said Shipsey. “You guys who’ve been here awhile, you don’t realize it — community is extinct in a great portion of our country, but it is alive and well in Bath.”

The Bath Police Department was honored with the President’s Award, and longtime volunteer Polly Thibodeau received the Dot McKenna Award.

Other “Spirit of Bath” Awards went to: Design Committee, Paul and Daphne Comaskey and Eloise Humphrey; Organization Committee, John Ginthler; and Promotions Committee, Claudette Gamache.