Maine Memory Network

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

"Diamond Cove, Great Diamond Island, ca. 1836Maine Historical Society Diamond Cove, ca. 1836 Charles Codman (c."

Farm-yard Frames

Throughout New England, barns attached to houses are fairly common. Why were the buildings connected? What did farmers or families gain by doing this? The phenomenon was captured in the words of a children's song, "Big house, little house, back house, barn," (Thomas C. Hubka <em>Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn, the Connected Farm Buildings of New England,</em> University Press of New England, 1984.)

Gunpowder for the Civil War

The gunpowder mills at Gambo Falls in Windham and Gorham produced about a quarter of the gunpowder used by Union forces during the Civil War. The complex contained as many as 50 buildings.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Overview & Introduction

"… Cache of liquor, Portland, 1920Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media Maine played a central role in the United States' gradual—and…"

Settling along the Androscoggin and Kennebec

The Proprietors of the Township of Brunswick was a land company formed in 1714 and it set out to settle lands along the Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers in Maine.

Ice: A Maine Commodity

Maine's frozen rivers and lakes provided an economic opportunity. The state shipped thousands of tons of ice to ports along the East Coast and to the West Indies that workers had cut and packed in sawdust for shipment or later use.

Maine and the Civil War - Legendary Participation

"… War veterans, Kittery, 1932Maine Historical Society Maine's participation in the Civil War is legendary: heroes and heroines, a huge per…"

Maine and the Civil War - Headstone, unknown Confederate soldier, Gray, 1979

"… soldier, Gray, 1979 Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description In 1862 a grieving Gray family opened a coffin that was supposed…"

Music in Maine - MAKE

"… by James Eric Francis, Sr., Old Town, 2018Maine Historical Society Wabanaki peoples created the first music of Ckuwaponahkiyik when they emerged…"

Music in Maine - Community and School Marching Bands

"… community bands in Maine Community bands, historically comprised of male musicians, embraced diverse heritages, different languages,, and…"

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

"1840 Contributed by Maine Historical Society Description Colonel Freeman McGilvery (1823-1864) of Stockton commanded the Artillery at…"

High Water

Melting snow, ice, warmer temperatures, and rain sometimes bring floods to Maine's many rivers and streams. Floods are most frequent in the spring, but can occur at any season.

Music in Maine - Music Makers

"1897Maine Historical Society Born in Rapsted Field, Denmark, Soren Hansen Bruns (1863-1910) left Denmark to avoid conscription into the army."

Music in Maine - Sacred Music

"Lyre, South Limington, ca. 1840Maine Historical Society Pitch pipe, South Limington, ca. 1840Maine Historical Society John Joy (1809-1878)…"

Blueberries to Potatoes: Farming in Maine

Not part of the American "farm belt," Maine nonetheless has been known over the years for a few agricultural items, especially blueberries, sweet corn, potatoes, apples, chickens and dairy products.

Home: The Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Portland - The Longfellow Era: 1807-1901

"Greenleaf, ca. 1840Maine Historical Society Mary Longfellow Greenleaf was the sixth child of Stephen and Zilpah Longfellow."

The Arrival of Winter

The astronomical arrival of winter -- also known as the winter solstice -- marks the year's shortest day and the season of snow and cold. It usually arrives on December 21.

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.

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.

Music in Maine - Country Music

"Tombstone Every Mile/Heart Talk, 1965Maine Historical Society Tombstone Every Mile, 1966Maine Historical Society A Career in Country Music…"

Home: The Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Portland - The Wadsworth Era: 1786-1807

"1800Maine Historical Society Peleg and Elizabeth Wadsworth lived in the house they built from 1786 to 1807."

Home: The Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Portland - The Privy

"1875Maine Historic Preservation Commission In 2006, while rebuilding the garden wall along the original Wadsworth property line, workers noticed…"

Summer's Favorite Game

Baseball often is called the National Pastime. For many people, baseball is encountered in the backyard and down the street, a game played by a few or the full contingent of a team.

Music in Maine - Music stores

"1930Maine Historical Society Hiram Chase & Son, Belfast, ca. 1895, ca. 1895Belfast Historical Society Music stores well instruments and sheet…"