Maine Memory Network

James W. Ripley letter on ports and customs offices, 1832

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: 1832 Media: Ink on paper

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Don't take the port out of Portland, 1986

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: 1986 Location: Portland Media: Ink on paper

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Shed, State Pier, Portland, 1924

Owner in 1924: Port of Portland - Directors of Use: Shed - Freight

Assessor's Record, Office, State Pier, Portland, 1924

Owner in 1924: Port of Portland - Directors of Use: Office - Waiting - Store Rooms

John S. Hyde residence, Bath, 1913-1914

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: 1913–1914 Location: Bath Client: John Sedgwick Hyde Architect: John Calvin Stevens and John Howard Stevens Architects

Joseph's, Portland, 1984-1987

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: 1984–1987 Location: Portland; Portland Client: Joseph's Architect: Carol A. Wilson; Carol A. Wilson Architect

Working Women of the Old Port

Women at the turn of the 20th century were increasingly involved in paid work outside the home. For wage-earning women in the Old Port section of Portland, the jobs ranged from canning fish and vegetables to setting type. A study done in 1907 found many women did not earn living wages.

Port of Portland's Custom House and Collectors of Customs

The collector of Portland was the key to federal patronage in Maine, though other ports and towns had collectors. Through the 19th century, the revenue was the major source of Federal Government income. As in Colonial times, the person appointed to head the custom House in Casco Bay was almost always a leading community figure, or a well-connected political personage.

Maine's Road to Statehood - The Coasting Law of 1789

"… Coasting Law of 1789 required that merchant ships port and register at each non-adjacent state as a way to raise port revenue."

Historic Hallowell - Hallowell Ship Captains

"Agry met Reed when he was forced to port during a severe storm at the mouth of the Kennebec River. In 1801, Agry moved with his new wife to Hallowell."

Moving from Washington to Maine with the Navy
by Tom Jarvis

Maine's forests, mill history, and volunteer work keep me here

Jim Murphy-living a multi-dimensional life
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center Voices of Biddeford project

Life influences: Irish/Quebec ancestry, seminary, Navy, community businesses and organizations.

Primary Sources: The Maine Shipyard

Grade Level: 9-12 Content Area: Social Studies
This lesson plan will give students a close-up look at historical operations behind Maine's famed shipbuilding and shipping industries. Students will examine primary sources including letters, bills of lading, images, and objects, and draw informed hypotheses about the evolution of the seafaring industry and its impact on Maine’s communities over time.