Maine Memory Network

Wedding Cake House, Kennebunk, ca. 1855

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1855 Location: Kennebunk Media: daguerreotype

Ambrotype of a young woman by Dr. Stuart, Belfast, ca. 1859

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1859 Location: Belfast Media: ambrotype

Eternal Images: Photographing Childhood

From the earliest days of photography doting parents from across Maine sought to capture images of their young children. The studio photographs often reflect the families' images of themselves and their status or desired status.

Washington County Through Eastern's Eye

Images taken by itinerant photographers for Eastern Illustrating and Publishing Company, a real photo postcard company, provide a unique look at industry, commerce, recreation, tourism, and the communities of Washington County in the early decades of the twentieth century.

Early Maine Photography - Art

"… in the 1840s by photography, which in this case was used to reproduce what was probably a visual record of a family member or friend."

Early Maine Photography - Human Interest

"C.H.B." In the case of nineteen year old Henry I. Hanscom of China, the search for gold in California proved fatal, for he died of small pox in…"

A Story in a Stick
by Jim Moulton

A story about dowsing for a well in Bowdoin

Portland History: "My Lost Youth" - Longfellow's Portland, Then and Now

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12 Content Area: English Language Arts, Social Studies
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow loved his boyhood home of Portland, Maine. Born on Fore Street, the family moved to his maternal grandparents' home on Congress Street when Henry was eight months old. While he would go on to Bowdoin College and travel extensively abroad, ultimately living most of his adult years in Cambridge, Massachusetts, he never forgot his beloved Portland. Years after his childhood, in 1855, he wrote "My Lost Youth" about his undiminished love for and memories of growing up in Portland. This exhibit, using the poem as its focus, will present the Portland of Longfellow's boyhood. In many cases the old photos will be followed by contemporary images of what that site looked like 2004. Following the exhibit of 68 slides are five suggested lessons that can be adapted for any grade level, 3–12.