Maine Memory Network

Ambrotype of pencil drawing of man in profile view, ca. 1860

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1860 Media: Ambrotype

Silhouette of an unidentified woman, ca. 1855

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1855 Location: Bangor Media: Ambrotype

Dressing Up, Standing Out, Fitting In

Adorning oneself to look one's "best" has varied over time, gender, economic class, and by event. Adornments suggest one's sense of identity and one's intent to stand out or fit in.

A City Awakes: Arts and Artisans of Early 19th Century Portland

Portland's growth from 1786 to 1860 spawned a unique social and cultural environment and fostered artistic opportunity and creative expression in a broad range of the arts, which flowered with the increasing wealth and opportunity in the city.

Early Maine Photography - Family Groups

"More straightforward is an ambrotype of Mr. and Mrs. John Fowler of Unity and their young daughter. This image is accompanied by an ambrotype of…"

Early Maine Photography - Portland Photographers

"Marian Longfellow, Portland, ca. 1851Maine Historical Society By the eve of the Civil War, the ambrotype had largely replaced the daguerreotype as…"