Maine Memory Network

Sing's of Bangor glass, ca. 1980

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1980 Location: Bangor Media: Glass

Menu of the Pekin Restaurant, Bangor, ca. 1924

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1924 Location: Bangor; Bangor; Bangor Media: Ink on paper

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Chinese in Maine

In 1857, when Daniel Cough left Amoy Island, China, as a stowaway on a sailing ship from Mt. Desert Island he was on his way into history as the first Chinese person to make his home in Maine. He was soon followed by a cigar maker and a tea merchant who settled in Portland and then by many more Chinese men who spread all over Maine working mostly as laundrymen.

"Twenty Nationalities, But All Americans"

Concern about immigrants and their loyalty in the post World War I era led to programs to "Americanize" them -- an effort to help them learn English and otherwise adjust to life in the United States. Clara Soule ran one such program for the Portland Public Schools, hoping it would help the immigrants be accepted.

Portland Press Herald Glass Negative Collection - Along the Waterfront

"… went to a luncheon and conferences at the House Restaurant, visited the White House, and met with members of the Maine Congressional delegation."

Portland Press Herald Glass Negative Collection - "Twenty Nationalities, But All Americans"

""Twenty Nationalities, But All Americans" Twenty Nationalities, But All Americans View Immigration and Americanization slideshow Text by…"

A Maine Family's story of being Prisoners of War in Manila
by Nicki Griffin

As a child, born after the war, I would hear these stories - glad they were finally written down