Maine Memory Network

Home: The Longfellow House & the Emergence of Portland

The Wadsworth-Longfellow house is the oldest building on the Portland peninsula, the first historic site in Maine, a National Historic Landmark, home to three generations of Wadsworth and Longfellow family members -- including the boyhood home of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The history of the house and its inhabitants provide a unique view of the growth and changes of Portland -- as well as of the immediate surroundings of the home.

Portland Hotels

Since the establishment of the area's first licensed hotel in 1681, Portland has had a dramatic, grand and boisterous hotel tradition. The Portland hotel industry has in many ways reflected the growth and development of the city itself. As Portland grew with greater numbers of people moving through the city or calling it home, the hotel business expanded to fit the increasing demand.

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

"… Home: The Longfellow House & the Emergence of Portland View exhibit: A Snapshot of Portland, 1924: The Taxman Cometh View exhibit: Picturing Henry…"

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

"View Selective Time of Portland  The selected timeline of Portland with population figures also provides insight into the growth and changes in the…"

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

"335 Congress Street, Portland, 1924City of Portland - Planning & Development We invite you to explore the history of your home and neighborhood, to…"

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

"The Privy Brown Street, Portland, ca. 1875Maine Historic Preservation Commission In 2006, while rebuilding the garden wall along the original…"

Home: The Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Portland - The House, 1786-1960

"… built their brick home on Back Street in Portland in 1785-1786, the surrounding town of Falmouth was small and rural."

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

"Lucia, 13, and Harry, 12, attended school in Portland. The four youngest boys made up the rest of Elizabeth's charges."

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

"… House Wadsworth-Longfellow House, Portland, ca. 1880Maine Historical Society Only two families occupied the house – the family of Elizabeth…"

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

"He and his family frequently visited Portland. Anne Longfellow Pierce, Portland, ca. 1855Maine Historical Society Anne Longfellow Pierce…"

South Portland's Wartime Shipbuilding

Two shipyards in South Portland, built quickly in 1941 to construct cargo ships for the British and Americans, produced nearly 270 ships in two and a half years. Many of those vessels bore the names of notable Mainers.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Bootleggers vs. Police

"… Illegal whiskey being removed from a vessel in Portland Harbor Portland, ca. 1920 Collections off Maine Historical Society/Maine Today Media Booze…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Business as Usual

"X Rum Cart in Gorham's Corner Portland, ca. 1900 Collections of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission Portland's Gorham's Corner (the…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - A Call to Temperance

"X Portland Riot Broadsides, Portland, 1849 Courtesy of a Private Collection These broadsides commemorate the famous bawdyhouse gunfights in…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Neal Dow

"… Pamphlet 2541 Ramrod Jubilee broadside, Portland, 1854 X Ramrod Jubilee, Portland, 1854 Broadside 487 Collections of Maine Historical…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Drinking Implements

"… Boston Silver Courtesy of the The First Parish in Portland, Maine Unitarian Universalist This mug was presented to Reverend Deane of First Parish…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Politics and Enforcement

"Portland City Hall Rum Room, ca. 1907Maine Historical Society Portland City Hall Rum Room ca. 1900 Postcard Collections of Maine Historical…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Acknowledgements

"… Village Peabody Essex Museum Pingree Family Portland Museum of Art Portland Public Library Madelyn Provancher Rumford Historical Society Saint…"

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

"Plan of Ann (now Park) Street, Portland, ca. 1802Maine Historical Society Plan of Ann Street, Portland, ca."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Quenching the Thirst

"X X X Wine Press Kendall & Whitney, Portland, early 20th century Courtesy of Doris Stockly This press belonged to Antonio Potenza…"

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

"1840Maine Historical Society Portland Watch or Cracking Notes, ca. 1836 Joseph T. Harris (active 1828-1852) pen on parchment Collections of Maine…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Influential & Interesting Documents

"X Permit for Nathaniel Deering of Portland to sell liquor, 4 February 1788 Collections of Maine Historical Society Coll. 951, vol."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1820 to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law

"The Napoleon of Temperance By mid-century, Portland's Neal Dow (1804-1897) changed the tactics of the battle against alcohol by adopting a…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Women Leaders and Temperance

"Home of Mrs. Lillian M.W. Stevens, Portland, ca. 1910Greater Portland Landmarks Home of Lillian M. N. Stevens Postcard, ca."