Maine Memory Network

From Sewers to Skylines: William S. Edwards's 1887 Photo Album

William S. Edwards (1830-1918) was a civil engineer who worked for the City of Portland from 1876-1906. Serving as First Assistant to Chief Engineer William A. Goodwin, then to Commissioner George N. Fernald, Edwards was a fixture in City Hall for 30 consecutive years, proving indispensable throughout the terms of 15 Mayors of Portland, including all six of those held by James Phineas Baxter. Edwards made significant contributions to Portland, was an outstanding mapmaker and planner, and his works continue to benefit historians.

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.

One Hundred Years of Caring -- EMMC

In 1892 five physicians -- William H. Simmons, William C. Mason, Walter H. Hunt, Everett T. Nealey, and William E. Baxter -- realized the need for a hospital in the city of Bangor had become urgent and they set about providing one.

Commander George Henry Preble

George Henry Preble of Portland, nephew of Edward Preble who was known as the father of the U.S. Navy, temporarily lost his command during the Civil War when he was charged with failing to stop a Confederate ship from getting through the Union blockade at Mobile.

Selections from the Collections

Maine Historical Society staff come across unique and unforgettable items in our collections every day. While it's difficult to choose favorites from a dynamic collection, this exhibit features memorable highlights as selected by members of the MHS staff.

John Bapst High School

John Bapst High School was dedicated in September 1928 to meet the expanding needs of Roman Catholic education in the Bangor area. The co-educational school operated until 1980, when the diocese closed it due to decreasing enrollment. Since then, it has been a private school known as John Bapst Memorial High School.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Acknowledgements

"… support by the Anheuser-Busch Companies and the Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Fund. Rum, Riot, and Reform: Maine and the History of American Drinking…"

Field & Homefront: Bethel during the Civil War

Like many towns, Bethel responded to the Civil War by sending many soldiers and those at the homefront sent aid and supported families. The town grew during the war, but suffered after its end.

Amazing! Maine Stories

These stories -- that stretch from 1999 back to 1759 -- take you from an amusement park to the halls of Congress. There are inventors, artists, showmen, a railway agent, a man whose civic endeavors helped shape Portland, a man devoted to the pursuit of peace and one known for his military exploits, Maine's first novelist, a woman who recorded everyday life in detail, and an Indian who survived a British attack.

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

"In 1807-08, the visiting Edward Kendall noted, "boards hung out, on which are uncouth inscriptions offering spiritous liquors for sale."…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Neal Dow

"… Historical Society; purchased with funds from the Edward Foley Memorial Fund 1997.245 When Civil War came, the Napoleon of Temperance took his…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Quenching the Thirst

"X Collected Poems of Edward Arlington Robinson The MacMillan Company, 1929 Courtesy of William and Debra Barry Collections of Maine Historical…"

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 - Business as Usual

"… The New England Magazine, June 1903 Courtesy of William and Debra Barry Booze may have been illegal, but it was always obtainable."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Drinking Implements

"… of Colonial ceramics bears the likeness of William III. It was abandoned by the Scamman family of Saco when they were captured by Indians in 1697…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Influential & Interesting Documents

"… high prices and, in the estimate of historian William Goold, raised the spirits of all Portland."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Overview & Introduction

"… Anheuser-Busch Inc., National Distributors, the Edward H. Davis is Benevolent Fund, and the Lincoln National Foundation, Inc."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Temperance Membership

"… Rope Makers, Riggers and Sail Makers, 1841 William Capen, Jr. (ca. 1801-1863) Oil on cloth Collections of Maine Historical Society, from the Maine…"

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

"… moderates behind, including wine drinker Governor William King, who founded the first statewide temperance association."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Society Copes

"… Collections of Maine Historical Society; gift of William David Barry, 1998 Coll. 2093, B1F2 This popular song marked the beginning of national…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - A Call to Temperance

"… Society and Publication House, 1883 Courtesy of William and Debra Barry X Father Matthew Plate White earthenware, ca."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Politics and Enforcement

"… Sturdivant, the Prisoner's Friend (New York: William McDonald & Co., 1879). Collections of Maine Historical Society B St 96 A native of Ireland…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Bootleggers vs. Police

"1920 William Norman Ritche Pen and ink cartoon Collections of Maine Historical Society Born in Canada, "Norman" was a long-time contributor to the…"

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

"Edward McClure Peters 497* This set, which fits inside a wooden case, would have been used for elegant picnics and for traveling."