Maine Memory Network

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

"… used by John Robbins when he was a drummer in the Civil War. It is made of brown spun wood with brass rings attached at the ends."

Music in Maine - Drumsticks, 1861

"… used these drumsticks while serving in the Civil War from 1861 to 1864. Regulation drumsticks were normally made from rosewood, and were 16 to 17…"

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

"… Frederick Lane, suggesting it might pre-date the Civil War. Lane manufactured and sold umbrellas and musical instruments at 92 Court Street in…"

Music in Maine - Military Marching Bands

"After the Civil War, Congress stopped funding military bands that provided music to troops and communities."

Music in Maine - Community Music

"Kemp, a former enslaved person, escaped to Union lines early in the War. A year after Kemp's arrival, the Howards located Kemp's wife and two young…"

Music in Maine - Longfellow Family Music

"During the War of 1812, Henry asked his father to send him a drum from Boston. Stephen Longfellow found "a very pretty drum, with an eagle painted on…"

Music in Maine - Music and Television

"He 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…"

Music in Maine - Country Music

"… Maine when he returned from serving in the Korean War. He won a national talent contest hosted by Arthur Godfrey in 1957, and over his career had…"

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

"… angst (Mad as Hell, End of the World), Mideast war protests (The Desert is a Bitch), and science fiction fantasy (Seaquimp, Okto)."

Music in Maine - MAKE

"MAKE Music makers include musicians, artists, and craftspeople who make instruments, write songs, and make music in the home and community settings."

Music in Maine - Music in Maine

"Music in Maine Music is something we share as humans—non-verbal forms of storytelling and expressions of beauty and emotions through sound."

Music in Maine - HEAR

"HEAR The invention of recording machines opened up a world of choices for listening to music without leaving the home."

Music in Maine - Music Makers

"Music Makers Music Makers instruments Click to see more Music Makers Music makers in Maine make instruments, create music in their…"

Music in Maine - Sacred Music

"Sacred Music People play and sing sacred music during religious services and events. Singing allows worshipers to participate in the liturgy, with…"

Music in Maine - Music Education

"Music Education Children's Music Click to see more Children's Music Child development educators agree music ignites the skills children need…"

Music in Maine - Radio Cowboys and Country Music

"Radio Cowboys and Country Music Tony and Juanita, ca. 1940Maine Historical Society Country and bluegrass music emerged in the American South…"

Music in Maine - Opera, Orchestras and Stages

"Opera, Orchestras and Stages Click to learn more about Maine's Opera Houses Many Maine towns in the 19th and early 20th centuries had an…"

Music in Maine - PLAY

"PLAY Watching musicians sing and play music in public is an important communal experience for the performer and the audience."

Music in Maine - Bluegrass Music

"Bluegrass Music BLUEGRASS MUSIC ASSOCIATION OF MAINE Click to learn more about BMAM Bluegrass music—acoustic music played on banjo, mandolin…"

Music in Maine - Music stores

"Music stores Mary Curran Leighton and musicians, Portland, ca. 1930Maine Historical Society Hiram Chase & Son, Belfast, ca. 1895, ca."

Music in Maine - Community and School Marching Bands

"Community and School Marching Bands Click to explore community bands in Maine Community bands, historically comprised of male musicians…"

Music in Maine - Kimball Drum, ca. 1860

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

Northern Threads: Two centuries of dress at Maine Historical

Organized by themed vignettes, Northern Threads shares stories about Maine people, while exploring how the clothing they wore reveals social, economic, and environmental histories. This re-examination of Maine Historical Society's permanent collection is an opportunity to consider the relevance of historic clothing in museums, the ebb and flow of fashion styles, and the complexities of diverse representation spanning 200 years of collecting.

Dressing Up, Standing Out, Fitting In

Adorning oneself to look one's "best" has varied over time, gender, economic class, and by event. Adornments suggest one's sense of identity and one's intent to stand out or fit in.