Maine Memory Network

Promoting Rockland Through a Stereopticon, 1875

Frank Crockett and photographer J.P. Armbrust took stereo views of Rockland's downtown, industry, and notable homes in the 1870s as a way to promote tourism to the town.

Student Exhibit: Historic Buildings on Madison Ave in Skowhegan

Take a tour and see some of the beautiful old buildings that used to be on Madison Avenue, Skowhegan? A few still remain, but most have been torn down.

Biddeford, Saco and the Textile Industry

The largest textile factory in the country reached seven stories up on the banks of the Saco River in 1825, ushering in more than a century of making cloth in Biddeford and Saco. Along with the industry came larger populations and commercial, retail, social, and cultural growth.

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.

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.

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

"1, Portland, 1846Maine Historical Society Casco Fire Company, ca. 1849 Middle Street near Exchange Daguerreotype Collections of Maine Historical…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Neal Dow

"… by the mob and after a warning, the militia fired into the crowd, wounding several and killing John Robbins of Deer Isle."

Notorious: Maine Crime in the Public Eye, 1690–1940 - The Hontvet Horror: The Case of the Smuttynose Murders

"… in a bedroom while Wagner anxiously searched the house. When Anethe tried to escape through the window, Wagner followed her outside and struck her…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - A Call to Temperance

"… Metta Victoria Fuller, 1853 X Rum, Fire Water published in Ahiamihewintuhangan: The Prayer Song, 1858 Collections of Maine Historical…"

Notorious: Maine Crime in the Public Eye, 1690–1940 - Early American Printing

"Taverns or public houses supplied copies for quiet reading or read-aloud sessions, which fostered conversation."

Notorious: Maine Crime in the Public Eye, 1690–1940 - Murder in a Mill Town: The Case of Berengera Caswell

"Berengera stayed at his house while waiting for the results. After nearly a month, the juniper had not worked, and Dr."

Notorious: Maine Crime in the Public Eye, 1690–1940 - Whodunit? The Case of the Littlefield Murders

"Littlefield to his house to examine him for venereal disease. After Littlefield chastised him, Dwyer strangled and bludgeoned the doctor and placed…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Drinking Implements

"… in the foundation of the museum's McLellan-Sweat House. X Decanter, 1785-1800 Ireland Blown glass, engraved Rum Courtesy of Arlene Palmer…"

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

"Running a licensed house was one of the few trades open to women and the tough-minded Mrs. Greele achieved legendary status by extinguishing her…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Quenching the Thirst

"Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Craigie House, Cambridge, 1881NPS, Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site Henry Wadsworth…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Influential & Interesting Documents

"X Abstract of the Laws Respecting Licensed Houses, Lincoln County, May 1803 Collections of Maine Historical Society Broadside 281 This remarkable…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Acknowledgements

"… and Ray Verrier Victoria Mansion Frances Willard House Museum and Archives (added items in 2023) York Institute Museum, Saco We would like to thank…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Politics and Enforcement

"1920 Collections of Frances Willard House Museum and WCTU ArchivesMaine Historical Society Union Leaflets: Cider as an Alcoholic Drink W.C.T.U., ca."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Business as Usual

"X Bangor House Joseph F. Hatch,1883 Oil on canvas Collections of Bangor Historical Society Maine's grand city hotel is said to have always served…"

Luxurious Leisure

From the last decades of the nineteenth century through about the 1920s, vacationers were attracted to large resort hotels that promised a break from the noise, crowds, and pressures of an ever-urbanizing country.

Washington County Through Eastern's Eye

Images taken by itinerant photographers for Eastern Illustrating and Publishing Company, a real photo postcard company, provide a unique look at industry, commerce, recreation, tourism, and the communities of Washington County in the early decades of the twentieth century.

The Public Face of Christmas

Christmas, a Christian holiday observed by many Mainers, has a very public, seasonal face that makes it visible to those of all beliefs.

Lincoln County through the Eastern Eye

The Penobscot Marine Museum’s photography collections include nearly 50,000 glass plate negatives of images for "real photo" postcards produced by the Eastern Illustrating and Publishing Company of Belfast. This exhibit features postcards from Lincoln County.

Sagadahoc County through the Eastern Eye

The Eastern Illustrating and Publishing Company of Belfast, Maine. employed photographers who traveled by company vehicle through New England each summer, taking pictures of towns and cities, vacation spots and tourist attractions, working waterfronts and local industries, and other subjects postcard recipients might enjoy. The cards were printed by the millions in Belfast into the 1940s.