Maine Memory Network

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.

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 - Community Music

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

Music in Maine - Music stores

"1895, ca. 1895Belfast Historical Society Music stores well instruments and sheet music for customers, and serve as a meeting place for musicians."

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.

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 - MAKE

"… throughout the East Coast performing at powwows, music and art festivals, and other events, sharing our style of singing."

Music in Maine - Music in Maine

"Music in Maine Music is something we share as humans—non-verbal forms of storytelling and expressions of beauty and emotions through sound."

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…"

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.

Music in Maine - PLAY

"PLAY Watching musicians sing and play music in public is an important communal experience for the performer and the audience."

Music in Maine - Music and Television

"Inspired by national tv shows featuring teens and music like American Bandstand, Astor’s performance skits included music, dance, and comedy routines."

Music in Maine - HEAR

"… opened up a world of choices for listening to music without leaving the home. Use the navigation tool on the left to explore the exhibition."

A City Awakes: Arts and Artisans of Early 19th Century Portland

Portland's growth from 1786 to 1860 spawned a unique social and cultural environment and fostered artistic opportunity and creative expression in a broad range of the arts, which flowered with the increasing wealth and opportunity in the city.

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 - Opera, Orchestras and Stages

"Opera houses hosted lectures, plays, live music, and movies, with many hosting actual operas, such as The Merry Widow in Lewiston and Faust in…"

Music in Maine - Drum, Portland, ca. 1854

"… inches in diameter and is associated with music teacher Theodore Ingalls King (1854-1906) of Portland and Washington D.C."

Music in Maine - Military Marching Bands

"Veteran musicians created civilian bands, often replicating their former military service in music choices and uniform styles."

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

"Punk Punk is more than a musical genre, it’s a do-it-yourself, anti-establishment philosophy that extends into art, fashion, and life."

Elise Fellows White: Music, Writing, and Family

From a violin prodigy in her early years to an older woman -- mother of two -- struggling financially, Skowhegan native Mary Elise Fellows White remained committed to music, writing, poetry, her extended family -- and living a life that would matter and be remembered.