Maine Memory Network

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Politics and Enforcement

"GALLERIES: Politics and Enforcement | Women Leaders and Temperance | Quenching the Thirst | Business as Usual"

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…"

Margaret Chase Smith: A Historic Candidacy

When she announced her candidacy for President in January 1964, three-term Republican Senator Margaret Chase Smith became the first woman to seek the nomination of one of the two major political parties.

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.

Slavery's Defenders and Foes

Mainers, like residents of other states, had differing views about slavery and abolition in the early to mid decades of the 19th century. Religion and economic factors were among the considerations in determining people's leanings.

Civil Defense: Fear and Safety

In the 1950s and the 1960s, Maine's Civil Defense effort focused on preparedness for hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters and a more global concern, nuclear war. Civil Defense materials urged awareness, along with measures like storing food and other staple items and preparing underground or other shelters.

John Hancock's Relation to Maine

The president of the Continental Congress and the Declaration's most notable signatory, John Hancock, has ties to Maine through politics, and commercial businesses, substantial property, vacations, and family.

State of Mind: Becoming Maine

The history of the region now known as Maine did not begin at statehood in 1820. What was Maine before it was a state? How did Maine separate from Massachusetts? How has the Maine we experience today been shaped by thousands of years of history?

Clean Water: Muskie and the Environment

Maine Senator Edmund S. Muskie earned the nickname "Mr. Clean" for his environment efforts during his tenure in Congress from 1959 to 1980. He helped created a political coalition that passed important clean air and clean water legislation, drawing on his roots in Maine.

William King

Maine's first governor, William King, was arguably the most influential figure in Maine's achieving statehood in 1820. Although he served just one year as the Governor of Maine, he was instrumental in establishing the new state's constitution and setting up its governmental infrastructure.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Neal Dow

"… the vast armies of rum shops now established by law up and down through our territory which live and flourish only by spreading everywhere among…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Overview & Introduction

"… that drink played in Maine's social, economic and political history, and profiling the events and leaders in Maine that catalyzed other States' and…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Quenching the Thirst

"GALLERIES: Politics and Enforcement | Women Leaders and Temperance | Quenching the Thirst | Business as Usual"

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

"Alcohol has soothed and troubled life in Maine and America in numerous subtle and not-so-subtle ways."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Business as Usual

"GALLERIES: Politics and Enforcement | Women Leaders and Temperance | Quenching the Thirst | Business as Usual"

The Sanitary Commission: Meeting Needs of Soldiers, Families

The Sanitary Commission, formed soon after the Civil War began in the spring of 1861, dealt with the health, relief needs, and morale of soldiers and their families. The Maine Agency helped families and soldiers with everything from furloughs to getting new socks.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1865 to 1919: The Drys Gain New Adherents and Leaders

"GALLERIES: Politics and Enforcement | Women Leaders and Temperance | Quenching the Thirst | Business as Usual"

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

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

Rum, Riot, and Reform - The Continuing Debate

"Yet many Americans enjoy moderate drinking as a very pleasant part of contemporary adult life. Wine with dinner, beer at a ballgame, and champagne at…"

Presidents and Campaigns

Several Mainers have run for president or vice president, a number of presidents, past presidents, and future presidents have had ties to the state or visited here, and, during campaign season, many presidential candidates and their family members have brought their campaigns to Maine.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Bootleggers vs. Police

"and Mrs. James M. Cameron X Billy club, ca. 1928 Courtesy of Joyce Butler Owned by George Butler, Police Commissioner in Biddeford."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Influential & Interesting Documents

"X Abstract of the Laws Respecting Licensed Houses, Lincoln County, May 1803 Collections of Maine Historical Society Broadside 281 This remarkable…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Temperance Membership

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

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…"