Maine Memory Network

Music in Maine - Community Music

"… music and dance.” Songs of Labor Luther Hall's Camp - Grand Lake Narrows Sebois, 1920Patten Lumbermen's Museum From agriculture to…"

Music in Maine - HEAR

"Dwayne Tomah, a member of the Passamaquoddy Nation from Sipayik (Pleasant Point), discussed the importance of wax cylinder recordings made in 1890 by…"

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.

Music in Maine - Music stores

"Record Store Day helped drive the resurgence of vinyl and increased US music sales to more than a billion dollars annually."

Music in Maine - Rock and Roll, Punk, and Elvis

"I was captivated by the man on the cover. He had black hair, wore eye shadow, and a bit of eyeliner."

Music in Maine - Music Makers

"In 1937 and 1942, Schirmer Records in New York recorded White performing songs from her youth. She wrote in her diary, "Oh! My records! These new…"

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.

Music in Maine - Community and School Marching Bands

"… lead in several Lewiston operas and was an early recording artist for Victor Records. Often sponsored by the Catholic church, Franco band formed to…"

Music in Maine - Sacred Music

"Alan B. Jacobs ran Tikva Records, a label specializing in Jewish American recordings in Manhattan, New York from the 1940s to the 1970s."

Music in Maine - MAKE

"Like all other drum groups across North America, the RezDogs compose and record our own original songs."

Designing Acadia

For one hundred years, Acadia National Park has captured the American imagination and stood as the most recognizable symbol of Maine’s important natural history and identity. This exhibit highlights Maine Memory content relating to Acadia and Mount Desert Island.

This Rebellion: Maine and the Civil War

For Mainers like many other people in both the North and the South, the Civil War, which lasted from 1861-1865, had a profound effect on their lives. Letters, artifacts, relics, and other items saved by participants at home and on the battlefield help illuminate the nature of the Civil War experience for Mainers.

Music in Maine - Kimball Drum, ca. 1860

"Kimball/Co.F 5th Maine Regt./Dec. 1861-July 1864." Frank Kimball was a drummer in Co. F of the 5th Maine Infantry Regiment."

Music in Maine - Music in Maine

"Music reflects the diversity of cultures, influences of historical events, and vast differences in landscape that contribute to the unique soundscape…"

Music in Maine - Drum, Stockton Springs, ca. 1840

"He was slightly wounded at the Battle of Deep Bottom, but the wound did not heal and McGlilvery later died from an overdose of chloroform anesthesia…"

Music in Maine - Music Education

"… Robert Cheney of Sanford, praising him as "one of the talented young musicians of this town, possessing a very strong and sweet singing voice."…"

Music in Maine - Drum, Portland, ca. 1854

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

Music in Maine - Civil War drum, ca. 1861

"… Description Henry Green (1832-1901) of Portland carried this military style side drum in the 10th and 17th Maine Regiments from October…"

Civil War Soldiers Impact Pittsfield

Although not everyone in town supported the war effort, more than 200 Pittsfield men served in Civil War regiments. Several reminders of their service remain in the town.

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 - Longfellow Family Music

"Jacob S. Paine of Portland owned the music store where the Longfellows purchased the piano, published sheet music, and founded the Portland…"

Music in Maine - Military Marching Bands

"Military Marching Bands View of Portland Light Infantry Muster, ca. 1803 The Portland Light Infantry Muster with a drummer and a horn player in…"

Music in Maine - Music and Television

"… was a World War II veteran and a lifelong member of Temple Beth El. His show encouraged many young people to pursue music careers, including…"

A Town Is Born: South Bristol, 1915

After being part of the town of Bristol for nearly 150 years, residents of South Bristol determined that their interests would be better served by becoming a separate town and they broke away from the large community of Bristol.