Maine Memory Network

Suspected Rum Runner Dixie III, Portland, 1927

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media Date: circa 1927 Location: Portland Media: Glass Negative

Fire Department running team, Houlton, ca. 1886

Courtesy of Henry Gartley, an individual partner Date: circa 1886 Location: Houlton Media: Photographic print

Prohibition in Maine in the 1920s

Federal Prohibition took hold of America in 1920 with the passing of the Volstead Act that banned the sale and consumption of all alcohol in the US. However, Maine had the Temperance movement long before anyone was prohibited from taking part in one of America's most popular past times. Starting in 1851, the struggles between the "drys" and the "wets" of Maine lasted for 82 years, a period of time that was everything but dry and rife with nothing but illegal activity.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Bootleggers vs. Police

"… The Best of Boyle , 1980 Suspected Rum Runner Dixie III, Portland, 1927Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media Suspected Rum Runner…"

Surry by the Bay - Nineteenth Century

"… Place was providing the perfect place for rum runners. According to Cush Lane, a summer resident, when high tide fell around around 10:30 at night…"

Surry by the Bay - Resources

"Resources BOOKS Bonsey, Osmond C. Surry, Maine: An informal History, Surry Historical Society, 2003. Jellison, Connee."

2024 Maine History Maker Celebration Event
by Maine Historical Society

Maine Historical Society's 2024 Maine History Maker event, honoring Joan Benoit Samuelson.

Joan Benoit Samuelson: A Maine Story
by Maine Historical Society

Documentary about Joan Benoit Samuelson, created as part of the 2024 Maine History Maker award.