Maine Memory Network

Child's ocelot fur collar, Portland, ca. 1952

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1952 Location: Portland Media: fur, silk, plastic
This record contains 4 images.

Fashion taxidermy fur accessory, ca. 1930

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1930 Media: fur
This record contains 6 images.

Northern Threads: Colonial and 19th century fur trade

A vignette in "Northern Threads: Two centuries of dress at Maine Historical Society Part 1," this fur trade mini-exhibition discusses the environmental and economic impact of the fur trade in Maine through the 19th century.

Indians, Furs, and Economics

When Europeans arrived in North America and disrupted traditional Native American patterns of life, they also offered other opportunities: trade goods for furs. The fur trade had mixed results for the Wabanaki.

Historic Clothing Collection - 1970-1980 - Page 2 of 3

"The item is of a natural off-white short pile fur fabric, lined with heavy cream polyester satin, and without a label."

Historic Clothing Collection - Outerwear 1870 to 1900

"… a pale green damask edged with white rabbit fur for evening; and a velvet trimmed multicolored, striped wool, printed jacket trimmed in velvet."

The Fur Trade in Maine

Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12, Postsecondary Content Area: Science & Engineering, Social Studies
This lesson presents an overview of the history of the fur trade in Maine with a focus on the 17th and 18th centuries, on how fashion influenced that trade, and how that trade impacted Indigenous peoples and the environment.