Maine Memory Network

Governor King monument, Bath, ca. 1903

Contributed by: Patten Free Library Date: circa 1903 Location: Bath Media: Photographic print

King Tavern, Bath, ca. 1910

Contributed by: Patten Free Library Date: circa 1910 Location: Bath Media: Postcard

William King

Maine's first governor, William King, was arguably the most influential figure in Maine's achieving statehood in 1820. Although he served just one year as the Governor of Maine, he was instrumental in establishing the new state's constitution and setting up its governmental infrastructure.

Wiscasset's Arctic Connection

Scientist, author and explorer Donald B. MacMillan established Wiscasset as his homeport for many of the voyages he made to the Arctic region starting in the early 1920s.

Bath's Historic Downtown - Student Exhibits

"Student Exhibits Bath Savings Institution and Hyde Block The Intersection of Centre and Washington Church Block Columbian Block The Customs House…"

Bath's Historic Downtown - The Patten Free Library

"The Patten Free Library Text by Noah Lapointe, Austin Lewis, Kyle Perry, and Shadow Stephens 7th grade students at Bath Middle School."

Becoming Maine: The District of Maine's Coastal Economy

Grade Level: 3-5 Content Area: Social Studies
This lesson plan will introduce students to the maritime economy of Maine prior to statehood and to the Coasting Law that impacted the separation debate. Students will examine primary documents, take part in an activity that will put the Coasting Law in the context of late 18th century – early 19th century New England, and learn about how the Embargo Act of 1807 affected Maine in the decades leading to statehood.

Becoming Maine: The Votes for Statehood

Grade Level: 3-5 Content Area: Social Studies
Maine became a state in 1820 after separating from Massachusetts, but the call for statehood had begun long before the final vote. Why did it take so long? Was 1820 the right time? In this lesson, students will begin to place where Maine’s statehood fits into the broader narrative of 18th and 19th century American political history. They will have the opportunity to cast their own Missouri Compromise vote after learning about Maine’s long road to statehood.