Maine Memory Network

Strike Up the Band

Before the era of recorded music and radio, nearly every community had a band that played at parades and other civic events. Fire departments had bands, military units had bands, theaters had bands. Band music was everywhere.

Of Note: Maine Sheet Music

Of Note: Maine Sheet Music features captivating covers of original sheet music along with stories about Maine connections to the songs. Before people had easy access to popular music from records, radios, and the internet, they played songs of the day on instruments at home, using sheet music purchased at music stores. Iconic Maine subjects like lobsters, pine trees, and winter were perfect for lyrics sung by luminaries like Rudy Vallée of Westbrook, and intricate artwork of Maine’s landscape graced the sheet music covers.

Music in Maine - Military Marching Bands

"… Band Click to explore more about Chandler's Band Chandler’s Band is the second oldest continuously operating professional band in the United…"

Music in Maine - Community and School Marching Bands

"… Marching Bands Click to explore community bands in Maine Community bands, historically comprised of male musicians, embraced diverse…"

Hermann Kotzschmar: Portland's Musical Genius

During the second half of the 19th century, "Hermann Kotzschmar" was a familiar household name in Portland. He spent 59 years in his adopted city as a teacher, choral conductor, concert artist, and church organist.

Music in Maine - Music Education

"… Music Camp Click to learn more about the Eastern Music Camp Music teacher Dorothy Harlow Marden of Waterville and other educators formed an…"

Music in Maine - Bluegrass Music

"… MAINE Click to learn more about BMAM Bluegrass music—acoustic music played on banjo, mandolin, guitar, fiddle, and bass—originated in southern…"

Music in Maine - Country Music

"I have always enjoyed most genres of music, but country music appealed to me the most. What really captivated me were the stories told (some true…"

Music in Maine - Sacred Music

"Shaker Music Shaker Music Click to learn more about Shaker life and music Established in 1783, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester…"

Music in Maine - Music Makers

"… Music Makers instruments Click to see more Music Makers Music makers in Maine make instruments, create music in their communities, and honor…"

Music in Maine - Community Music

"Community Music Music makers in Maine make instruments, create music in their communities, and honor heritage."

Music in Maine - Longfellow Family Music

"Sheet music Eliza Wadsworth sheet music, 1798Maine Historical Society Before printers made songbooks and sheet music widely available, people…"

Music in Maine - Music and Television

"… including Schooner Fare’s Steve Romanoff and big band musician Tony Boffa. Dave Astor Show "Regulars" Suzanne Svenson on Dave Astor, 1964Maine…"

Music in Maine - Radio Cowboys and Country Music

"… English folk songs, Scots-Irish fiddle and dance music, sacred music, and banjo and blues from formerly enslaved Africans."

Music in Maine - Rock and Roll, Punk, and Elvis

"… Click to learn more about the $ame Band The Same Band By Mike Laskey The Same Band formed in 1977 when John Etnier opened his Brunswick recording…"

The Kotzschmar Memorial Organ

A fire and two men whose lives were entwined for more than 50 years resulted in what is now considered to be "the Jewel of Portland" -- the Austin organ that was given to the city of Portland in 1912.

Lillian Nordica: Farmington Diva

Lillian Norton, known as Nordica, was one of the best known sopranos in America and the world at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth centuries. She was a native of Farmington.

This Rebellion: Maine and the Civil War

For Mainers like many other people in both the North and the South, the Civil War, which lasted from 1861-1865, had a profound effect on their lives. Letters, artifacts, relics, and other items saved by participants at home and on the battlefield help illuminate the nature of the Civil War experience for Mainers.

Dressing Up, Standing Out, Fitting In

Adorning oneself to look one's "best" has varied over time, gender, economic class, and by event. Adornments suggest one's sense of identity and one's intent to stand out or fit in.

Fallen Heroes: Jewish Soldiers and Sailors, The Great War

Thirty-four young Jewish men from Maine died in the service of their country in the two World Wars. This project, including a Maine Memory Network exhibit, is meant to say a little something about some of them. More than just names on a public memorial marker or grave stone, these men were getting started in adult life. They had newly acquired high school and college diplomas, they had friends, families and communities who loved and valued them, and felt the losses of their deaths.

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.

Fallen Heroes: Those Who Gave Their Lives: World War II

At least twenty-three Jewish men from Maine died in the military during World War II. Photographs and other memorabilia are available for fewer than half of them. Read more about them.

Shaarey Tphiloh, Portland's Orthodox Synagogue

Shaarey Tphiloh was founded in 1904 by immigrants from Eastern Europe. While accommodating to American society, the Orthodox synagogue also has retained many of its traditions.

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.