Maine Memory Network

John Martin Dancing Fraternity card, Bangor 1868

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society and Maine State Museum Date: 1868 Location: Bangor Media: Lithograph

Invitation to masquerade dance, Bangor, 1870

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society and Maine State Museum Date: 1870-03-22 Location: Bangor Media: Ink on paper

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915 Ocean Avenue, Portland, 1924

Owner in 1924: Danish Park Association Use: Dance Hall

48 Riverside Street, Portland, 1924

Owner in 1924: Dennis D. DeCormier Use: Dance Hall

The Trolley Parks of Maine

At the heyday of trolleys in Maine, many of the trolley companies developed recreational facilities along or at the end of trolley lines as one further way to encourage ridership. The parks often had walking paths, dance pavilions, and various other entertainments. Cutting-edge technology came together with a thirst for adventure and forever changed social dynamics in the process.

Music in Maine - Community Music

"After founding two Maine-based dance troupes – La Plume de Ma Tante and Les Pieds Rigolants – which entertained audiences throughout the state from…"

John Martin: Expert Observer - Dancing Fraternity, City of Bangor, 1868

"The waltz and polka were more intimate dances – couples dancing as partners, the man's hand on the woman's waist, the two facing one another – and…"

John Martin: Expert Observer - Dancing, Bangor, ca. 1865

"He wrote under the illustration, "Of all the amusements in the world Dancing properly conducted is the most innocent, civil, cheapest, and…"

Saturday Evening Dances at the Westport Town Hall
by Deborah G. Greenleaf

Fond Memories of Westport Island

Keeping Dance and Music Alive
by Cindy Larock

Cindy Larock's involvement in the traditional music and dance scene in Maine for over 40 years.