(Page 1 of 3) Print Version
Curated by Tiffany Link, Collections Curator
On view June 20 – October 7, 2023
Maine Historical Society staff come across unique and unforgettable items in our collections every day. While it's difficult to choose favorites from a dynamic collection, this exhibit features memorable highlights as selected by members of the MHS staff.
Some are old favorites finally getting a chance to be featured, and some are new discoveries—found during a collection move or while researching a related topic. Some are chosen for their beauty, others for historical or personal significance, and some for their humor.
Daily, we receive new acquisitions and rediscover items in MHS archive. This process of discovery is one of our favorite parts of the job. The items showcased here represent not only the breadth of the collection, but also the varied interests of our staff members. We’re excited to share our selections of standout pieces from two hundred years of collecting.
North School pupil reading, ca. 1920
Collections of Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media
2005.061.6075
North School pupil reading, Portland, circa 1920
Unrecorded photographer
Photographic print and reproduction
Collections of Maine Historical Society and
Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media
MaineMemory.Net #10392 and 2005.061.6075
Staff Member: Sofia Yalouris, Image Services Coordinator & Collections Technician
The damaged photographic print of a young girl reading is part of Coll. 808, North School Records at MHS. MHS discovered the negative while digitizing Coll. 1949, Portland Press Herald glass negative collection. It's unusual to have both the negative and print appear in two separate collections, donated at two separate times.
Sofia often admired the printed image but thought the damage of the photograph unfortunate. She was excited to discover the undamaged negative during the Coll. 1949 digitization project in 2017. She’s thrilled the intact negative makes it possible to create new prints over 100 years later.
Dirigo House, Long Island, circa 1930
Unrecorded photographer
Photographic print
Collections of Maine Historical Society
MaineMemory.Net #6276
Staff Member: Nancy Noble, Archivist & Cataloger
This hand-colored photograph features hollyhocks, morning glories,
and nasturtiums surrounding the Dirigo House on Long Island. One of
several historic grand inns on the island, it operated until the 1930s.
Nancy lives on Long Island and loves the vintage feel of this handcolored
print. As an amateur photographer and garden lover, this
photograph always catches her eye.
Thomas Burnham deposition against Rachel Clinton, Ipswich, Massachuestts, ca. 1692
Item Contributed by
Maine Historical Society
Thomas Burnham deposition against Rachel Clinton,
Ipswich, Massachusetts, circa 1692
Thomas Burnham, Jr.
Ink on paper
Collections of Maine Historical Society
MaineMemory.Net #7309
Staff Member: Kathleen Flynn Neumann, Curator of Education &
Public Programs
This 1692 court deposition details Thomas Burnham’s witchcraft
accusation against Rachel Clinton in Ipswich, Massachusetts. His
testimony, taken when witch trials were underway in nearby Salem,
describes Rachel turning into a cat and jumping forty feet onto his roof
after he allegedly caught her milking his cows. The deposition is part
of Coll. 77, Autographs of Special Note. A popular pastime in the 19th
century, MHS has several autograph collections containing intriguing
and significant documents, not all of which are from Maine.
Kathleen enjoys using this letter as a conversation starter when
working with K-16 school groups. Students are struck by the outlandish
claims described in Burnham’s deposition, and by what a court of law
considered credible testimony at the time. The document is also an
excellent example of 17th century spelling, grammar, and handwriting.
View of Portland harbor by moonlight, circa 1905
Ernest R. Rowe (1876-1962)
Reproduction photographic print
Collections of Maine Historical Society
MaineMemory.Net #12535
Staff Member: Jamie Rice, Deputy Director
Amateur photographer Ernest R. Rowe made the original handcolored
lantern slide of Casco Bay in the moonlight. The hand coloring
technique adds drama, while the slight crack in the glass confirms the
fragility of the medium.
Lantern slides are positive, transparent photographs made on glass,
traditionally viewed with a “magic lantern” that shone light through
the slide, projecting the image onto a wall or screen. The medium was
popular from about 1850 to the 1940s.
Jamie picked this captivating image for the striking contrast of the ships
silhouetted against the moonlight sky. It is one of her many favorites in
the MHS collections.
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