Maine Memory Network

Home: The Longfellow House & the Emergence of Portland

The Wadsworth-Longfellow house is the oldest building on the Portland peninsula, the first historic site in Maine, a National Historic Landmark, home to three generations of Wadsworth and Longfellow family members -- including the boyhood home of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The history of the house and its inhabitants provide a unique view of the growth and changes of Portland -- as well as of the immediate surroundings of the home.

Portland Hotels

Since the establishment of the area's first licensed hotel in 1681, Portland has had a dramatic, grand and boisterous hotel tradition. The Portland hotel industry has in many ways reflected the growth and development of the city itself. As Portland grew with greater numbers of people moving through the city or calling it home, the hotel business expanded to fit the increasing demand.

J.A. Poor and the Portland-Montreal Connection

John A. Poor's determination in 1845 to bring rail service to Maine and to make Portland the winter port for Montreal, along with the steel foundry he started to build locomotives and many other products, helped boost the economy of Portland the state.

Horace W. Shaylor: Portland Penman

Horace W. Shaylor, a native of Ohio, settled in Portland and turned his focus to handwriting, developing several unique books of handwriting instruction. He also was a talented artist.

Home: The Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Portland - Researching Your Home

"335 Congress Street, Portland, 1924City of Portland - Planning & Development We invite you to explore the history of your home and neighborhood, to…"

Home: The Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Portland - People of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House

"… House Wadsworth-Longfellow House, Portland, ca. 1880Maine Historical Society Only two families occupied the house – the family of Elizabeth…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1820 to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law

"One man was killed by Dow's forces. Portland's Rum Riot demonstrated the passionate, sometimes irrational, zeal of both factions."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1919 to 1934: The Nation Follows Maine Into Prohibition

"… which was similarly approved by the voters. The Portland Press Herald noted the general feeling: "There never was a time when Maine's annual liquor…"

Amazing! Maine Stories

These stories -- that stretch from 1999 back to 1759 -- take you from an amusement park to the halls of Congress. There are inventors, artists, showmen, a railway agent, a man whose civic endeavors helped shape Portland, a man devoted to the pursuit of peace and one known for his military exploits, Maine's first novelist, a woman who recorded everyday life in detail, and an Indian who survived a British attack.

South Portland's Wartime Shipbuilding

Two shipyards in South Portland, built quickly in 1941 to construct cargo ships for the British and Americans, produced nearly 270 ships in two and a half years. Many of those vessels bore the names of notable Mainers.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Business as Usual

"… and The Great State of Maine Beer Book X Portland City Directory 1903 Collections of Maine Historical Society While it was illegal to sell…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Bootleggers vs. Police

"1920 Collections off Maine Historical Society/Maine Today Media Booze seemed to arrive from all directions."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - A Call to Temperance

"1849 Collections of Maine Historical Society On April 7, 1849 Jere Swett was indulging himself at the Exchange Street saloon of Harrison G."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Neal Dow

"Jordan, Jr., 1998 Portland City Hall, Market Square, ca. 1880Maine Historical Society City Hall in Market Square, Portland, ca."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Quenching the Thirst

"X Portland, Maine. Seeing Congress Square Lit Up ca. 1890s Postcard Collections of Maine Historical Society By the turn of the century, postcards…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Acknowledgements

"… Village Peabody Essex Museum Pingree Family Portland Museum of Art Portland Public Library Madelyn Provancher Rumford Historical Society Saint…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Politics and Enforcement

"… Society Firemen in front of City Liquor Agency Portland, 1886 Collections of Maine Historical Society; gift of Mark Skinner, 1997 The agency sold…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Taverns, People, and Scenes

"1802Maine Historical Society Plan of Ann Street, Portland, ca. 1802 Pen and ink and watercolor on paper Collections of Maine Historical Society…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Drinking Implements

"… Boston Silver Courtesy of the The First Parish in Portland, Maine Unitarian Universalist This mug was presented to Reverend Deane of First Parish…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Influential & Interesting Documents

"X Permit for Nathaniel Deering of Portland to sell liquor, 4 February 1788 Collections of Maine Historical Society Coll. 951, vol."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Women Leaders and Temperance

"Lillian M.W. Stevens, Portland, ca. 1910Greater Portland Landmarks Home of Lillian M. N. Stevens Postcard, ca."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Temperance Membership

"Riggers and Sail Makers banner, Portland, 1841Maine Historical Society Parade Banner for the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association, Pump and Block…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Drinking: Elegance and Debauchery

"1840Maine Historical Society Portland Watch or Cracking Notes, ca. 1836 Joseph T. Harris (active 1828-1852) pen on parchment Collections of Maine…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Reform and Repeal

"… Who Profits from Beer? Christian Civic League of Maine Collections of Maine Historical Society Coll."