Maine Memory Network

Music in Maine - Country Music

"Allagash Records Dick Curless record, 1960Maine Historical Society Dick Curless and Dan Fulkerson started Allagash Records in Bangor in the…"

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 - Music Makers

"She wrote in her diary, "Oh! My records! These new recordings make me happy. Schirmer’s machine is a joy, such tone-quality and such clarity!"…"

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

"… Historical Society "The Same Band" record, Brunswick, 1985Maine Historical Society Radiation was one of the earliest punk records released…"

Music in Maine - Radio Cowboys and Country Music

"They performed and recorded music on RCA records with a band called the Lone Pine Mountaineers—paying homage to Maine as the Pine Tree State and the…"

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

"… further shortened version of Zimelman—teaches and records in New York, with 23 recordings of Yiddish, Israeli, Chassidic, Broadway, opera and pop…"

Music in Maine - MAKE

"… and scripture into Indigenous languages, but also recorded the oral histories and songs in Wabanaki languages including Abenaki…"

John Dunn, 19th Century Sportsman

John Warner Grigg Dunn was an accomplished amateur photographer, hunter, fisherman and lover of nature. On his trips to Ragged Lake and environs, he became an early innovator among amateur wildlife photographers. His photography left us with a unique record of the Moosehead Lake region in the late nineteenth century.

Music in Maine - Opera, Orchestras and Stages

"… across America as “Princess Watahwaso” and recorded with Victor Records. Lucy Nicolar met and married Bruce Poolaw, from the Kiowa Tribe of…"

The World's Largest Oxen

Named for the two largest things in Maine at the turn of the 20th century, Mt. Katahdin and Granger of Stetson, were known as the Largest Oxen in the World. Unable to do farm work because of their size, they visited fairs and agricultural events around the Northeast.

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.

The Sanitary Commission: Meeting Needs of Soldiers, Families

The Sanitary Commission, formed soon after the Civil War began in the spring of 1861, dealt with the health, relief needs, and morale of soldiers and their families. The Maine Agency helped families and soldiers with everything from furloughs to getting new socks.

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.

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.

Music in Maine - Kimball Drum, ca. 1860

"1860 Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description Written on the top of the head of this drum is, "Frank C."

Music in Maine - B-flat fife, ca. 1860

"1860 Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description This fife was used by John Robbins when he was a drummer in the Civil War."

Music in Maine - Drumsticks, 1861

"Drumsticks, 1861 Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description Franklin C. Kimball (1844-1912) used these drumsticks while serving…"

Music in Maine - Music and Television

"… Historical Society Dave Astor show sign, ca. 1970Maine Historical Society Dave Astor's Horn, ca. 1960Maine Historical Society"

Music in Maine - Longfellow Family Music

"… estate accounting, Portland, 1836Maine Historical Society Receipt for piano forte, Portland, 1836Maine Historical Society Stephen…"

Music in Maine - Music in Maine

"… by Tilly Laskey, curator at Maine Historical Society, and installed at Maine Historical Society from March 8, 2024 to December 31, 2024."

George F. Shepley: Lawyer, Soldier, Administrator

George F. Shepley of Portland had achieved renown as a lawyer and as U.S. Attorney for Maine when, at age 42 he formed the 12th Maine Infantry and went off to war. Shepley became military governor of Louisiana early in 1862 and remained in the military for the duration of the war.

Music in Maine - Drum, Portland, ca. 1854

"1854 Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description Noble and Cooley of East Granville, Massachusetts started manufacturing drums in…"

Music in Maine - Civil War drum, ca. 1861

"1861 Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description Henry Green (1832-1901) of Portland carried this military style side drum in the…"