Maine Memory Network

Northern Threads: Bustle era fashions

A themed vignette within "Northern Threads Part I," featuring 1870s and 80s era bustle silhouettes.

This Rebellion: Maine and the Civil War

For Mainers like many other people in both the North and the South, the Civil War, which lasted from 1861-1865, had a profound effect on their lives. Letters, artifacts, relics, and other items saved by participants at home and on the battlefield help illuminate the nature of the Civil War experience for Mainers.

Maine and the Space Age

The small town of Andover landed on the international map in 1962 when the Earth Station that had been built there successfully communicated with Telstar, the first telecommunications satellite.

Inside the Yellow House

Photographer Elijah Cobb's 1985 portfolio of the Laura E. Richards House, with text by Rosalind Cobb Wiggins and Laura E. Putnam.

Summer Folk: The Postcard View

Vacationers, "rusticators," or tourists began flooding into Maine in the last quarter of the 19th century. Many arrived by train or steamer. Eventually, automobiles expanded and changed the tourist trade, and some vacationers bought their own "cottages."

Sagadahoc County through the Eastern Eye

The Eastern Illustrating and Publishing Company of Belfast, Maine. employed photographers who traveled by company vehicle through New England each summer, taking pictures of towns and cities, vacation spots and tourist attractions, working waterfronts and local industries, and other subjects postcard recipients might enjoy. The cards were printed by the millions in Belfast into the 1940s.

Lincoln County through the Eastern Eye

The Penobscot Marine Museum’s photography collections include nearly 50,000 glass plate negatives of images for "real photo" postcards produced by the Eastern Illustrating and Publishing Company of Belfast. This exhibit features postcards from Lincoln County.

Music in Maine - Music Education

"… The Bowl in the Pines Click for more about the Bowl in the Pines Built in 1930 in Sidney, the Bowl in the Pines at the Eastern Music Camp is the…"

Music in Maine - Country Music

"in Wheeling, West Virginia. Dick Curless started wearing an eye patch in the mid-1960s on his right eye because of deteriorating vision, and it…"

Holding up the Sky: Wabanaki people, culture, history, and art

Learn about Native diplomacy and obligation by exploring 13,000 years of Wabanaki residence in Maine through 17th century treaties, historic items, and contemporary artworks—from ash baskets to high fashion. Wabanaki voices contextualize present-day relevance and repercussions of 400 years of shared histories between Wabanakis and settlers to their region.

Music in Maine - PLAY

"Use the navigation tools on the left to explore the exhibition Caribou Amateur Opera Company, 1898Caribou Public Library"

Music in Maine - Civil War drum, ca. 1861

"On the battlefield, drummers provided a visual location for the unit, helping to keep soldiers close together."

Music in Maine - Community and School Marching Bands

"John Susep played the bass horn in the Penobscot Band and the Indian Island Orchestra, gaining the nickname Johnny Basshorn."

Music in Maine - Bluegrass Music

"The Maine Country Music Hall of Fame inducted Cox in 2000 and the International Bluegrass Music Museum of Owensboro, Kentucky recognized him as a…"

Music in Maine - Community Music

"… entertained audiences throughout the state from the 1980s through the early 2000s, I've continued to regularly lead dance workshops at Maine’s…"

Music in Maine - HEAR

"Use the navigation tool on the left to explore the exhibition. Wax Cylinders Translating 1890 Passamaquoddy Wax Cylinders Click to hear Dwayne…"

Music in Maine - Military Marching Bands

"The Portland Band played most of Maine’s large celebrations until the Civil War, when members served as the First Regimental Band."

Music in Maine - B-flat fife, ca. 1860

"It is made of brown spun wood with brass rings attached at the ends. Six smaller holes tone towards end and larger blow hole opposite."

Music in Maine - Sacred Music

"… song” because the singer must feel the spirit of the music from the bottom of their feet to the top of the head."

Music in Maine - Kimball Drum, ca. 1860

"Kimball/Co.F 5th Maine Regt./Dec. 1861-July 1864." Frank Kimball was a drummer in Co. F of the 5th Maine Infantry Regiment."

Music in Maine - Drum, Stockton Springs, ca. 1840

"A label inside the McGilvery’s drum notes the maker, Frederick Lane, suggesting it might pre-date the Civil War."

Music in Maine - Music in Maine

"Use the navigation tools to the left and explore more of the Music in Maine exhibition. The Lone Pine Mountaineers, Bangor, ca."

Music in Maine - Longfellow Family Music

"Paine of Portland owned the music store where the Longfellows purchased the piano, published sheet music, and founded the Portland Band—later called…"

Music in Maine - Rock and Roll, Punk, and Elvis

"The Ramones ticket stub, The Loft, 1978Courtesy of Mike Laskey, an individual partner Our live performances included numerous wardrobe changes…"