Maine Memory Network

Maine and the Civil War - Togus Veterans' Hospital view, 1885

"Each building is drawn on the view and an index tells the names of each. This facility was the first of its kind established to serve disabled…"

In Time and Eternity: Shakers in the Industrial Age

"In Time and Eternity: Maine Shakers in the Industrial Age 1872-1918" is a series of images that depict in detail the Shakers in Maine during a little explored time period of expansion and change.

Aroostook County Railroads

Construction of the Bangor and Aroostook rail lines into northern Aroostook County in the early twentieth century opened the region to tourism and commerce from the south.

Umbazooksus & Beyond

Visitors to the Maine woods in the early twentieth century often recorded their adventures in private diaries or journals and in photographs. Their remembrances of canoeing, camping, hunting and fishing helped equate Maine with wilderness.

Otisfield's One-Room Schoolhouses

Many of the one-room schoolhouses in Otisfield, constructed from 1839 through the early twentieth century, are featured here. The photos, most of which also show teachers and children, were taken between 1898 and 1998.

Cosmopolitan stylings of Mildred and Madeleine Burrage

Born in Portland, sisters Mildred Giddings Burrage (1890-1983) and Madeleine Burrage (1891-1976) were renowned artists and world travelers. Mildred's experiences studying painting in Paris and Italy, and the sisters' trips to Mexico and Guatemala inspired their artwork and shared passions for cosmopolitan and stylish attire. Housed at Maine Historical Society, The Burrage Papers include selections of original advertising drawings called "line sheets" from Parisian fashion houses dating from 1928 to 1936. Images of Madeleine's gemstone jewelry and Mildred's artwork accompany intimate family photographs of the sisters.

Summer Camps

Maine is home to dozens of summer-long youth camps and untold numbers of day camps that take advantage of water, woods, and fresh air. While the children, counselors, and other staff come to Maine in the summer, the camps live on throughout the year and throughout the lives of many of the campers.

A Snapshot of Portland, 1924: The Taxman Cometh

In 1924, with Portland was on the verge of profound changes, the Tax Assessors Office undertook a project to document every building in the city -- with photographs and detailed information that provide a unique view into Portland's architecture, neighborhoods, industries, and businesses.

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.

Maine and the Civil War - Bluehill Academy Journal, 1863

"… Contributed by Blue Hill Public Library Description Written during the Civil War by students at Bluehill Academy in Blue Hill, this…"

Maine and the Civil War - Offer for war battle images, Houlton, ca. 1862

"… County Historical and Art Museum Description A poster advertises the Pierce Brothers' Civil War stereoscopticon images depicting scenes…"

Maine and the Civil War - Poster seeking cavalry horses, Aroostook County, 1861

"… County Historical and Art Museum Description A Civil War poster announcing the desire of the army to purchase of horses for the Union…"

Maine and the Civil War - Letter from Daniel Lord to his wife, July 21, 1861

"… Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description Daniel Lord wrote to his second wife, Lydia Patterson Lord of Kennebunkport, from…"

Maine and the Civil War - Headstone, unknown Confederate soldier, Gray, 1979

"… Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description In 1862 a grieving Gray family opened a coffin that was supposed to contain the body…"

We Used to be "Normal": A History of F.S.N.S.

Farmington's Normal School -- a teacher-training facility -- opened in 1863 and, over the decades, offered academic programs that included such unique features as domestic and child-care training, and extra-curricular activities from athletics to music and theater.

Bowdoin College Scientific Expedition to Labrador

"The Bowdoin Boys" -- some students and recent graduates -- traveled to Labrador in 1891 to collect artifacts, specimens, and to try to find Grand Falls, a waterfall deep in Labrador's interior.

The Shape of Maine

The boundaries of Maine are the product of international conflict, economic competition, political fights, and contested development. The boundaries are expressions of human values; people determined the shape of Maine.

The Sanitary Commission: Meeting Needs of Soldiers, Families

The Sanitary Commission, formed soon after the Civil War began in the spring of 1861, dealt with the health, relief needs, and morale of soldiers and their families. The Maine Agency helped families and soldiers with everything from furloughs to getting new socks.

Lt. Charles Bridges: Getting Ahead in the Army

Sgt. Charles Bridges of Co. B of the 2nd Maine Infantry was close to the end of his two years' enlistment in early 1863 when he took advantage of an opportunity for advancement by seeking and getting a commission as an officer in the 3rd Regiment U.S. Volunteers.

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 - Drumsticks, 1861

"Kimball (1844-1912) used these drumsticks while serving in the Civil War from 1861 to 1864. Regulation drumsticks were normally made from rosewood…"

Northern Threads: Early Republic era Fashion dolls

A themed exhibit vignette within "Northern Threads Part I," featuring Early Repulic-era (ca.1780-1820) fashion dolls.

Music in Maine - Drum, Portland, ca. 1854

"… Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description Noble and Cooley of East Granville, Massachusetts started manufacturing drums in 1854."

Music in Maine - Civil War drum, ca. 1861

"… Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description Henry Green (1832-1901) of Portland carried this military style side drum in the 10th…"