Maine Memory Network

Sun Plane, 1837

Contributed by: Davistown Museum Date: 1837 Media: Wood, cast steel blades

Coopers' trade banner, Portland, 1841

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: 1841 Location: Portland Media: Oil on linen

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Wired! How Electricity Came to Maine

As early as 1633, entrepreneurs along the Piscataqua River in southern Maine utilized the force of the river to power a sawmill, recognizing the potential of the area's natural power sources, but it was not until the 1890s that technology made widespread electricity a reality -- and even then, consumers had to be urged to use it.

Portland Hotels

Since the establishment of the area's first licensed hotel in 1681, Portland has had a dramatic, grand and boisterous hotel tradition. The Portland hotel industry has in many ways reflected the growth and development of the city itself. As Portland grew with greater numbers of people moving through the city or calling it home, the hotel business expanded to fit the increasing demand.

Lincoln, Maine - W.A. Brown: Jack of all trades

"… The many roles of Will Brown drawing by Dylan Cooper X If Mr. Brown didn’t have all these stores, would we have the stores we have now? The…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Islanders at Work

"… both fresh and for salting, blacksmiths, coopers, a medicinal fish oil factory, and continued boat building."

Maine and the Atlantic World Slave Economy
by Seth Goldstein

How Maine's historic industries are tied to slavery