Maine Memory Network

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 sometimes…"

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 capita…"

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

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

Music in Maine - MAKE

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

Music in Maine - Community and School Marching Bands

"… Maine Centennial, Portland, 1920Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media John Francis Susep (1880-1964) was a member of the Penobscot Nation."

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)…"

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

"… House Nearly HiddenMaine Historical Society When Peleg Wadsworth built his house in 1785, what is now Congress Street in Portland was on the rural…"

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.

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.

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.

Music in Maine - Country Music

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

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."

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."

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…"

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.

A Tale of Two Sailmakers

Camden has been home to generations of fishermen, shipbuilders, sailmakers, and others who make their living through the sea. The lives of two Camden sailmakers, who were born nearly a century apart, became entwined at a small house on Limerock Street.

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.