Maine Memory Network

Prisoners of War in the farm field, Houlton, 1945

Contributed by: Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum Date: 1945 Location: Houlton Media: Photographic print

Prisoners of War, Houlton, 1945

Contributed by: Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum Date: circa 1945 Location: Houlton Media: Photographic print

Princeton CCC Camp alterations for P.O.W. camp, Princeton, 1944

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: 1944 Location: Princeton Client: Princeton CCC Camp Architect: Eaton W. Tarbell

Somerset County Jail drawings, Skowhegan, 1976

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: 1976 Location: Skowhegan Client: Somerset County Architect: Eaton W. Tarbell

Prisoners of War

Mainers have been held prisoners in conflicts fought on Maine and American soil and in those fought overseas. In addition, enemy prisoners from several wars have been brought to Maine soil for the duration of the war.

Passing the Time: Artwork by World War II German POWs

In 1944, the US Government established Camp Houlton, a prisoner of war (POW) internment camp for captured German soldiers during World War II. Many of the prisoners worked on local farms planting and harvesting potatoes. Some created artwork and handicrafts they sold or gave to camp guards. Camp Houlton processed and held about 3500 prisoners and operated until May 1946.

Freedom & Captivity Portal

The Freedom & Captivity digital collection in the Maine Memory Network, and the complete digital archive housed at Colby Special Collections, is a repository of personal testimonies, ephemera, memorabilia, artifacts, and visual materials that capture multiple dimensions of the experiences of incarceration for individuals, families, and communities, as well as for survivors of harm.

Historic Hallowell - Prisons and Firearms

"William King, former governor, paid 3,000 dollars for a 10-acre prison site. It was known as Limestone Hill."

My Journey: Training Service Dogs in Prison
by Anonymous (Maine State Prison)

Inmates at Maine State Prison train dogs as service and companion animals. This is one story.

Thoughts of Freedom
by Raymond

Painting my thoughts and loves while incarcerated at Maine State Prison