Maine Memory Network

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.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Society Copes

"Even Portland's prestigious Cumberland Club was raided and caught with booze. "Vanilla fooled me for a few days."

Drawing Together: Art of the Longfellows

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is best know as a poet, but he also was accomplished in drawing and music. He shared his love of drawing with most of his siblings. They all shared the frequent activity of drawing and painting with their children. The extended family included many professional as well as amateur artists, and several architects.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Politics and Enforcement

"… leader of the Gospel Temperance Mission, and Cumberland County Sheriff from 1900 to 1902. His photographic likeness applied to the front of this…"

Art of the People: Folk Art in Maine

For many different reasons people saved and carefully preserved the objects in this exhibit. Eventually, along with the memories they hold, the objects were passed to the Maine Historical Society. Object and memory, serve as a powerful way to explore history and to connect to the lives of people in the past.

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.

Anshe Sfard, Portland's Early Chassidic Congregation

Chassidic Jews who came to Portland from Eastern Europe formed a congregation in the late 19th century and, in 1917, built a synagogue -- Anshe Sfard -- on Cumberland Avenue in Portland. By the early 1960s, the congregation was largely gone. The building was demolished in 1983.

A Riot of Words: Ballads, Posters, Proclamations and Broadsides

Imagine a day 150 years ago. Looking down a side street, you see the buildings are covered with posters and signs.

400 years of New Mainers

Immigration is one of the most debated topics in Maine. Controversy aside, immigration is also America's oldest tradition, and along with religious tolerance, what our nation was built upon. Since the first people--the Wabanaki--permitted Europeans to settle in the land now known as Maine, we have been a state of immigrants.

Home: The Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Portland - Census, Timeline

"… Society 1860 census, PortlandMaine Historical Society 1880 census page, PortlandMaine Historical Society 1900 census page…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Temperance Membership

"1850 Silk satin Collections of Maine Historical Society 2002.062.010 Men and women in Temperance societies wore ceremonial regalia at their meetings…"

Home: The Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Portland - People of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House

"1880Maine Historical Society Only two families occupied the house – the family of Elizabeth Bartlett and Peleg Wadsworth who lived here between 1785…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Reform and Repeal

"Overindulgence post card, 1938Maine Historical Society I'm Making Whoopie-e at Old Orchard Beach, 1938 Postcard Collections of Maine Historical…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Bootleggers vs. Police

"X Still Copper Collections of Maine Historical Society 1998.39 a-c Cache of liquor, Portland, 1920Maine Historical Society/MaineToday…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Quenching the Thirst

"… College, 1881 Collections of Maine Historical Society 378 B674Q-b Athian Lewey, West Grand Lake, 1898Maine Historical Society Atbian Lewey…"

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

"Tavern sign, Raymond, ca. 1850Maine Historical Society Tavern Sign Maine, mid 19th century Painted wood Collections of Maine Historical Society…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Business as Usual

"1920Maine Historical Society John Ford ca. 1920 Collections of Maine Historical Society, Gannett Glass Plate Negative Collection One of the major…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Influential & Interesting Documents

"1803-1831 Watercolor Collections of Maine Historical Society This watercolor shows nearly every type of vessel involved in the Caribbean rum trade…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Neal Dow

"1885Maine Historical Society Neal Dow (1804-1897), ca. 1880 Collections of Maine Historical Society; gift of Nathan Goold X The Portland…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - A Call to Temperance

"… 19th century Collections of Maine Historical Society; gift of Marian Bucholtz, 1965 Broadside 282 This verse summarizes the hope of moral…"

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

"… Longfellow, Portland, 1827Maine Historical Society Every building has a history. For many people, exploring the history of their home provides a…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Acknowledgements

"… which was on display at Maine Historical Society in 1998, was made possible through generous support by the Anheuser-Busch Companies and the Edward…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Women Leaders and Temperance

"… Butler, also Collections of Maine Historical Society, B W6612g X Grand Temperance Rally Broadside, 1912 Collections of Maine Historical…"

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

"1836Maine Historical Society Diamond Cove, ca. 1836 Charles Codman (c. 1800-1842) Oil on canvas Collections of Maine Historical Society; gift of…"