Maine Memory Network

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Neal Dow

"Dow's hopes for a political career, however, began to dim. GALLERIES: A Call to Temperance | Temperance Membership | Neal Dow | Drinking: Elegance…"

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

"… and cities, taverns were the center of social and political life. William McLellan Sr., Portland, ca.1800Maine Historical Society Captain…"

War Through the Eyes of a Young Sailor

Eager to deal with the "Sesech" [Secessionists], young deepwater sailor John Monroe Dillingham of Freeport enlisted in the U.S. Navy as soon as he returned from a long voyage in 1862. His letters and those of his family offer first-hand insight into how one individual viewed the war.

Father John Bapst: Catholicism's Defender and Promoter

Father John Bapst, a Jesuit, knew little of America or Maine when he arrived in Old Town in 1853 from Switzerland. He built churches and defended Roman Catholics against Know-Nothing activists, who tarred and feathered the priest in Ellsworth in 1854.

Unlocking the Declaration's Secrets

Fewer than 30 copies of the first printing of the Declaration of Independence are known to exist. John Dunlap hurriedly printed copies for distribution to assemblies, conventions, committees and military officers. Authenticating authenticity of the document requires examination of numerous details of the broadside.

Passing the Time: Artwork by World War II German POWs

In 1944, the US Government established Camp Houlton, a prisoner of war (POW) internment camp for captured German soldiers during World War II. Many of the prisoners worked on local farms planting and harvesting potatoes. Some created artwork and handicrafts they sold or gave to camp guards. Camp Houlton processed and held about 3500 prisoners and operated until May 1946.

Power of Potential

The National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (NFBPWC) held their seventh annual convention in Portland during July 12 to July 18, 1925. Over 2,000 working women from around the country visited the city.

Prohibition in Maine in the 1920s

Federal Prohibition took hold of America in 1920 with the passing of the Volstead Act that banned the sale and consumption of all alcohol in the US. However, Maine had the Temperance movement long before anyone was prohibited from taking part in one of America's most popular past times. Starting in 1851, the struggles between the "drys" and the "wets" of Maine lasted for 82 years, a period of time that was everything but dry and rife with nothing but illegal activity.

La Basilique Lewiston

Like many cities in France, Lewiston and Auburn's skylines are dominated by a cathedral-like structure, St. Peter and Paul Church. Now designated a basilica by the Vatican, it stands as a symbol of French Catholic contributions to the State of Maine.

Irish Immigrants in Nineteenth Century Maine

With the popularity of all things Irish in modern America, many people have forgotten the difficulties faced by nineteenth century Irish immigrants.

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.

The Advent of Green Acre, A Baha'i Center of Learning

The Green Acre Baha'i School began as Green Acre Conferences, established by Sarah Jane Farmer in Eliot. She later became part of the Baha'i Faith and hosted speakers and programs that promoted peace. In 1912, the leader of the Baha'i Faith, 'Abdu'l-Baha, visited Green Acre, where hundreds saw him speak.

Patriotism Shared

Post office clerks began collecting strong red, white, and blue string, rolling it onto a ball and passing it on to the next post office to express their support for the Union effort in the Civil War. Accompanying the ball was this paper scroll on which the clerks wrote messages and sometimes drew images.

Reuben Ruby: Hackman, Activist

Reuben Ruby of Portland operated a hack in the city, using his work to earn a living and to help carry out his activist interests, especially abolition and the Underground Railroad.

Patriotic Imagery: 1861-1880

Imagery on letterhead soldiers used, on soldiers' memorials produced after the war, and on many other items captured the themes of the American Civil War: union, liberty, and freedom.

Prisoners of War

Mainers have been held prisoners in conflicts fought on Maine and American soil and in those fought overseas. In addition, enemy prisoners from several wars have been brought to Maine soil for the duration of the war.

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

"The first state ratified the law in January 1918 and the crucial 36th state gave the law the required three-quarters majority in January 1919."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Temperance Membership

"… our agitation will be the expulsion from all the states of the traffic in intoxicating liquors to be used as a drink, we hope that the State of…"

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

"Neighboring states, including Massachusetts, took the law as a model and passed similar anti-liquor reforms."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Reform and Repeal

"Burden Coll. 2093, B2F6 X Shall We have a State Liquor Store in our Town (or City)?, 1936 Waterville Collections of Maine Historical Society…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Acknowledgements

"Adams Will Anderson, The Great, State of Maine Beer Book Bangor Historical Society Debra Verrier Barry Baxter Memorial Library Bowdoin College…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - The Continuing Debate

"… in the Portland Press Herald last year, and the state's well-publicized tough drunk-driving laws also keep the issue open for examination."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Drinking Implements

"X Rum Bottle, ca. 1800 England or United States Blown glass Collections of Portland Museum of Art, Maine; bequest of Margaret Jane Mussey Sweat…"

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

"… Charles Gerletti of Glasgow, made 1834-1839Maine State Museum Proof Set, early 19th century Charles Gerletti, Glagow, Etched glass in wooden box…"