Maine Memory Network

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Women Leaders and Temperance

"A founder of the Maine W.C.T.U., she became the successor of Frances Willard as National President. A social activist on many fronts, Lillian Stevens…"

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

"… Archives The Elm Hotel located at the corner of Portland's Federal and Temple streets, just below the First Parish Meetinghouse, was a stagecoach…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Temperance Membership

"… by 69 men led by Reverends Nichols and Payson of Portland's First and Second Congregational churches."

WWI Memorial Trees along Portland's Baxter Boulevard

On Memorial Day of 1920, the City of Portland planted 100 Linden trees on Forest Avenue, each dedicated to the memory of one military service member who had died in World War I, or who had served honorably.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Acknowledgements

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

Rum, Riot, and Reform - The Continuing Debate

"… a series of award-winning articles in the Portland Press Herald last year, and the state's well-publicized tough drunk-driving laws also keep the…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Overview & Introduction

"Overview & Introduction Cache of liquor, Portland, 1920Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media Maine played a central role in the United…"

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

"… Disappointment Confiscated liquor bottles, Portland, 1927Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media The dream of outlawing the manufacture…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Society Copes

"Even Portland's prestigious Cumberland Club was raided and caught with booze. "Vanilla fooled me for a few days."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1865 to 1919: The Drys Gain New Adherents and Leaders

"During the 1870s, alcoholics including former Portland liquor-dealer Francis Murphy, Gardiner businessman J.K. Osgood, and Bangor physician Dr."

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.

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.

A Tour of Sanford in 1900

This collection of images portrays many buildings in Sanford and Springvale. The images were taken around the turn of the twentieth century.

Power of Potential

The National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (NFBPWC) held their seventh annual convention in Portland during July 12 to July 18, 1925. Over 2,000 working women from around the country visited the city.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Why Study the History of Drinking?

"Why Study the History of Drinking? The history of drinking in Maine and America is rich and complex."

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.

Shaarey Tphiloh, Portland's Orthodox Synagogue

Shaarey Tphiloh was founded in 1904 by immigrants from Eastern Europe. While accommodating to American society, the Orthodox synagogue also has retained many of its traditions.

Hiking, Art and Science: Portland's White Mountain Club

In 1873, a group of men, mostly from Portland, formed the second known hiking club in the U.S., the White Mountain Club of Portland, to carry out their scientific interests, their love of hiking and camaraderie, and their artistic interests in painting and drawing the features of several of the White Mountains.

Toy Len Goon: Mother of the Year

Toy Len Goon of Portland, an immigrant from China, was a widow with six children when she was selected in 1952 as America's Mother of the Year.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1620 to 1820: New England's Great Secret

"By the time of the Revolutionary War, Dr. Benjamin Rush of Philadelphia, a leading physician, helped introduce the notion that alcohol was not always…"

The Kotzschmar Memorial Organ

A fire and two men whose lives were entwined for more than 50 years resulted in what is now considered to be "the Jewel of Portland" -- the Austin organ that was given to the city of Portland in 1912.

From Sewers to Skylines: William S. Edwards's 1887 Photo Album

William S. Edwards (1830-1918) was a civil engineer who worked for the City of Portland from 1876-1906. Serving as First Assistant to Chief Engineer William A. Goodwin, then to Commissioner George N. Fernald, Edwards was a fixture in City Hall for 30 consecutive years, proving indispensable throughout the terms of 15 Mayors of Portland, including all six of those held by James Phineas Baxter. Edwards made significant contributions to Portland, was an outstanding mapmaker and planner, and his works continue to benefit historians.

Most Inconvenient Storm

A Portland newspaper wrote about an ice storm of January 28, 1886 saying, "The city of Portland was visited yesterday by the most inconvenient storm of the season."

Working Women of the Old Port

Women at the turn of the 20th century were increasingly involved in paid work outside the home. For wage-earning women in the Old Port section of Portland, the jobs ranged from canning fish and vegetables to setting type. A study done in 1907 found many women did not earn living wages.