Maine Memory Network

Les Raquetteurs

In the early 1600s, French explorers and colonizers in the New World quickly adopted a Native American mode of transportation to get around during the harsh winter months: the snowshoe. Most Northern societies had some form of snowshoe, but the Native Americans turned it into a highly functional item. French settlers named snowshoes "raquettes" because they resembled the tennis racket then in use.

Slavery's Defenders and Foes

Mainers, like residents of other states, had differing views about slavery and abolition in the early to mid decades of the 19th century. Religion and economic factors were among the considerations in determining people's leanings.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Reform and Repeal

"X Patrick and Marie Cyr, ca. 1940 Biddeford Courtesy of Janet and Ray Verrier Acadian entrepreneurs from Van Buren, Patrick (1897-1959) made beer…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Bootleggers vs. Police

"X Still Copper Collections of Maine Historical Society 1998.39 a-c Cache of liquor, Portland, 1920Maine Historical Society/MaineToday…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Politics and Enforcement

"Haley, Biddeford, 1870-1880 Stoneware Collections of the York Institute Museum, Saco A strong supporter of the total abstinence movement, B.F."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Quenching the Thirst

"Poisson, Biddeford, ca. 1910-1915 Postcard Collections of Maine Historical Society X The Red Lane Holman Francis Day (1865-1935) Collections…"

Northern Threads: Civil War-era clothing

An exhibit vignette within "Northern Threads, Part 1," featuring American Civil War civilian and military clothing, 1860 to 1869.

Dressing Up, Standing Out, Fitting In

Adorning oneself to look one's "best" has varied over time, gender, economic class, and by event. Adornments suggest one's sense of identity and one's intent to stand out or fit in.

Rebecca Usher: 'To Succor the Suffering Soldiers'

Rebecca Usher of Hollis was 41 and single when she joined the Union nursing service at the U.S. General Hospital at Chester, Pennsylvania. Her time there and later at City Point, Virginia, were defining experiences of her life.

The Arrival of Winter

The astronomical arrival of winter -- also known as the winter solstice -- marks the year's shortest day and the season of snow and cold. It usually arrives on December 21.

The Advent of Green Acre, A Baha'i Center of Learning

The Green Acre Baha'i School began as Green Acre Conferences, established by Sarah Jane Farmer in Eliot. She later became part of the Baha'i Faith and hosted speakers and programs that promoted peace. In 1912, the leader of the Baha'i Faith, 'Abdu'l-Baha, visited Green Acre, where hundreds saw him speak.