Maine Memory Network

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Overview & Introduction

"Overview & Introduction Cache of liquor, Portland, 1920Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media Maine played a central role in the United…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Why Study the History of Drinking?

"Why Study the History of Drinking? The history of drinking in Maine and America is rich and complex."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Temperance Membership

"… Temperance Membership Back to: 1820 to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law "The results of our agitation will be the expulsion from all the…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Influential & Interesting Documents

"Influential & Interesting Documents Back to: 1620 to 1820: New England's Great Secret X The Drunkard's Looking Glass, ca."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - The Continuing Debate

"The Continuing Debate Exhibition promotional poster, 1998 X Excessive drinking, once New England's secret, is now a recognized public issue."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1620 to 1820: New England's Great Secret

"1620 to 1820: New England's Great Secret Tavern sign, Raymond, ca. 1850Maine Historical Society The Coming of Drink to New England (1620–1820)…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - A Call to Temperance

"A Call to Temperance Back to: 1820 to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law X Prohibition vs. License Early 19th century Collections of Maine…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1820 to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law

"1820 to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law Temperance Watchman Club No. 1 banner, ca. 1848Maine Historical Society An Era of Reform By 1820…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1919 to 1934: The Nation Follows Maine Into Prohibition

"1919 to 1934: The Nation Follows Maine Into Prohibition Triumph and Disappointment Confiscated liquor bottles, Portland, 1927Maine Historical…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Reform and Repeal

"Reform and Repeal Back to: 1919 to 1934: The Nation Follows Maine Into Prohibition X Franco-American Temperance Workers Westbrook, ca."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Bootleggers vs. Police

"Bootleggers vs. Police Back to: 1919 to 1934: The Nation Follows Maine Into Prohibition X Rum Car Wrecked After Gun Fight with Officers…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Acknowledgements

"Acknowledgements Advertisement or premium for Anheuser Busch Brewing Co., ca. 1892 Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Drinking Implements

"Drinking Implements Back to: 1620 to 1820: New England's Great Secret X Scamman Jug, 1689-1702 Germany, Westerwald District Salt-glazed…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Neal Dow

"Neal Dow Back to: 1820 to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law X Colonel Neal Dow, ca. 1865 Published by John Russell Hand-colored lithograph…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Society Copes

"… Society Copes Back to: 1919 to 1934: The Nation Follows Maine Into Prohibition X The 18th Amendment, 1920 Bowdoin Bugle 1920 Collections…"

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

"Drinking: Elegance and Debauchery Back to: 1820 to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law Cartoon, Portland Watch or Cracking Notes, ca."

Port of Portland's Custom House and Collectors of Customs

The collector of Portland was the key to federal patronage in Maine, though other ports and towns had collectors. Through the 19th century, the revenue was the major source of Federal Government income. As in Colonial times, the person appointed to head the custom House in Casco Bay was almost always a leading community figure, or a well-connected political personage.

MHS in Pictures: exploring our first 200 years

Two years after separating from Massachusetts, Maine leaders—many who were part of the push for statehood—also separated from Massachusetts Historical Society, creating the Maine Historical Society in 1822. The legislation signed on February 5, 1822 positioned MHS as the third-oldest state dedicated historical organization in the nation. The exhibition features MHS's five locations over the institution's two centuries, alongside images of leaders who have steered the organization through pivotal times.

A City Awakes: Arts and Artisans of Early 19th Century Portland

Portland's growth from 1786 to 1860 spawned a unique social and cultural environment and fostered artistic opportunity and creative expression in a broad range of the arts, which flowered with the increasing wealth and opportunity in the city.

Enemies at Sea, Companions in Death

Lt. William Burrows and Commander Samuel Blyth, commanders of the USS Enterprise and the HMS Boxer, led their ships and crews in Battle in Muscongus Bay on Sept. 5, 1813. The American ship was victorious, but both captains were killed. Portland staged a large and regal joint burial.

Northern Threads: The rise and fall of the gigot sleeve

A themed exhibit vignette within "Northern Threads Part I," featuring the balloon-like gigot sleeve of the 1830s.

A Focus on Trees

Maine has some 17 million acres of forest land. But even on a smaller, more local scale, trees have been an important part of the landscape. In many communities, tree-lined commercial and residential streets are a dominant feature of photographs of the communities.

Eternal Images: Photographing Childhood

From the earliest days of photography doting parents from across Maine sought to capture images of their young children. The studio photographs often reflect the families' images of themselves and their status or desired status.

Selections from the Collections

Maine Historical Society staff come across unique and unforgettable items in our collections every day. While it's difficult to choose favorites from a dynamic collection, this exhibit features memorable highlights as selected by members of the MHS staff.