Maine Memory Network

Pigeon's Mainer Project: who decides who belongs?

Street artist Pigeon's artwork tackles the multifaceted topic of immigration. He portrays Maine residents, some who are asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants—people who are often marginalized through state and federal policies—to ask questions about the dynamics of power in society, and who gets to call themselves a “Mainer.”

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.

Northern Threads: Adaptive reuse

A themed vignette within "Northern Threads Part I," featuring up-cycled and reused historic fabrics.

Hermann Kotzschmar: Portland's Musical Genius

During the second half of the 19th century, "Hermann Kotzschmar" was a familiar household name in Portland. He spent 59 years in his adopted city as a teacher, choral conductor, concert artist, and church organist.

A Riot of Words: Ballads, Posters, Proclamations and Broadsides

Imagine a day 150 years ago. Looking down a side street, you see the buildings are covered with posters and signs.

400 years of New Mainers

Immigration is one of the most debated topics in Maine. Controversy aside, immigration is also America's oldest tradition, and along with religious tolerance, what our nation was built upon. Since the first people--the Wabanaki--permitted Europeans to settle in the land now known as Maine, we have been a state of immigrants.

A Soldier's Declaration of Independence

William Bayley of Falmouth (Portland) was a soldier in the Continental Army, seeing service at Ticonderoga, Valley Forge, Monmouth Court House, and Saratoga, among other locations. His letters home to his mother reveal much about the economic hardships experienced by both soldiers and those at home.

The Swinging Bridge: Walking Across the Androscoggin

Built in 1892 to entice workers at the Cabot Manufacturing Corporation in Brunswick to move to newly built housing in Topsham, the Androscoggin Pedestrian "Swinging" Bridge or Le Petit Pont quickly became important to many people traveling between the two communities.

Home Ties: Sebago During the Civil War

Letters to and from Sebago soldiers who served in the Civil War show concern on both sides about farms and other issues at home as well as concern from the home front about soldiers' well-being.

The Life and Legacy of the George Tate Family

Captain George Tate, mast agent for the King of England from 1751 to the Revolutionary War, and his descendants helped shape the development of Portland (first known as Falmouth) through activities such as commerce, shipping, and real estate.

We Saw Lindbergh!

Following his historic flight across the Atlantic in May 1927, aviator Charles Lindbergh commenced a tour across America, greeted by cheering crowds at every stop. He was a day late for his speaking engagement in Portland, due to foggy conditions. Elise Fellows White wrote in her diary about seeing Lindbergh and his plane.

Fallen Heroes: Maine's Jewish Sailors and Soldiers

Thirty-four young Jewish men from Maine died in the service of their country in the two World Wars. This project, including a Maine Memory Network exhibit, is meant to say a little something about some of them. More than just names on a public memorial marker or grave stone, these men were getting started in adult life. They had newly acquired high school and college diplomas, they had friends, families and communities who loved and valued them, and felt the losses of their deaths.

Home: The Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Portland - Census, Timeline

"… Society 1860 census, PortlandMaine Historical Society 1880 census page, PortlandMaine Historical Society 1900 census page…"

Photojournalism & the 1936 Flood

Photojournalism & the 1936 Flood examines the monumental destruction caused by the historic flood of 1936 through the comprehensive and innovative photojournalism done by the Guy Gannett Publishing Company in the weeks surrounding the flood.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Temperance Membership

"1850 Silk satin Collections of Maine Historical Society 2002.062.010 Men and women in Temperance societies wore ceremonial regalia at their meetings…"

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

"1880Maine Historical Society Only two families occupied the house – the family of Elizabeth Bartlett and Peleg Wadsworth who lived here between 1785…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Reform and Repeal

"Overindulgence post card, 1938Maine Historical Society I'm Making Whoopie-e at Old Orchard Beach, 1938 Postcard Collections of Maine Historical…"

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 - Quenching the Thirst

"… College, 1881 Collections of Maine Historical Society 378 B674Q-b Athian Lewey, West Grand Lake, 1898Maine Historical Society Atbian Lewey…"

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

"Tavern sign, Raymond, ca. 1850Maine Historical Society Tavern Sign Maine, mid 19th century Painted wood Collections of Maine Historical Society…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Business as Usual

"1920Maine Historical Society John Ford ca. 1920 Collections of Maine Historical Society, Gannett Glass Plate Negative Collection One of the major…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Influential & Interesting Documents

"1803-1831 Watercolor Collections of Maine Historical Society This watercolor shows nearly every type of vessel involved in the Caribbean rum trade…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Neal Dow

"1885Maine Historical Society Neal Dow (1804-1897), ca. 1880 Collections of Maine Historical Society; gift of Nathan Goold X The Portland…"

Reuben Ruby: Hackman, Activist

Reuben Ruby of Portland operated a hack in the city, using his work to earn a living and to help carry out his activist interests, especially abolition and the Underground Railroad.