Keywords: reading
- Historical Items (1475)
- Tax Records (56)
- Architecture & Landscape (4)
- Online Exhibits (108)
- Site Pages (165)
- My Maine Stories (34)
- Lesson Plans (30)
Online Exhibits
Your results include these online exhibits. You also can view all of the site's exhibits, view a timeline of selected events in Maine History, and learn how to create your own exhibit. See featured exhibits or create your own exhibit
Exhibit
Bookplates Honor Annie Louise Cary
A summer resident of Wayne collected more than 3,000 bookplates to honor Maine native and noted opera singer Annie Louise Cary and to support the Cary Memorial Library.
Exhibit
Reading, Writing and 'Rithmetic: Brooklin Schools
When Brooklin, located on the Blue Hill Peninsula, was incorporated in 1849, there were ten school districts and nine one-room school houses. As the years went by, population changes affected the location and number of schools in the area. State requirements began to determine ways that student's education would be handled. Regardless, education of the Brooklin students always remained a high priority for the town.
Exhibit
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.
Exhibit
George F. Shepley: Lawyer, Soldier, Administrator
George F. Shepley of Portland had achieved renown as a lawyer and as U.S. Attorney for Maine when, at age 42 he formed the 12th Maine Infantry and went off to war. Shepley became military governor of Louisiana early in 1862 and remained in the military for the duration of the war.
Exhibit
The paper mill on the Penobscot River in South Brewer, which became known as Eastern Fine Paper Co., began as a sawmill in 1884 and grew over the years as an important part of the economy of the region and a large presence in the landscape. Its closing in 2005 affected more than the men and women who lost their jobs.
Exhibit
The Schooner Bowdoin: Ninety Years of Seagoing History
After traveling to the Arctic with Robert E. Peary, Donald B. MacMillan (1874-1970), an explorer, researcher, and lecturer, helped design his own vessel for Arctic exploration, the schooner <em>Bowdoin,</em> which he named after his alma mater. The schooner remains on the seas.
Exhibit
Maine and the Civil War - Communities and the War
"… in the war; held "One Book, One Community" reading and discussion programs, and engaged in other activities relating to the Civil War."
Exhibit
Maine and the Civil War - Headstone, unknown Confederate soldier, Gray, 1979
"The gravestone reads, "Stranger, A soldier of the late war died 1862, Erected by the ladies of Gray." This item is in copyright."
Exhibit
Valentines Day cards have long been a way to express feelings of romance or love for family or friends. These early Valentines Day cards suggest the ways in which the expression of those sentiments has changed over time.
Exhibit
A Handwritten Community Newspaper
The eight issues of South Freeport's handwritten newspaper, distributed in 1859, provided "general interest and amusement" to the coastal community.
Exhibit
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.
Exhibit
Throughout New England, barns attached to houses are fairly common. Why were the buildings connected? What did farmers or families gain by doing this? The phenomenon was captured in the words of a children's song, "Big house, little house, back house, barn," (Thomas C. Hubka <em>Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn, the Connected Farm Buildings of New England,</em> University Press of New England, 1984.)
Exhibit
Rum, Riot, and Reform - Overview & Introduction
"Read about the issues that framed the temperance debate and establish the framework for this exhibit."
Exhibit
Settlers' clothing had to be durable and practical to hold up against hard work and winters. From the 1700s to the mid 1800s, the women of Maine learned to sew by making samplers.
Exhibit
Student Exhibit: Can You Help Our Free Skowhegan Public Library?
The Skowhegan Free Public Library was built in 1889 with money donated by Abner Coburn and the town of Skowhegan. Mr. Coburn left $30,000 in his will towards the building of the library. In 2005, for the library to fully keep up with their programs need to make some renovations. These changes would allow for more use of technology, more room for children's programs, and provide handicap accessibility.
Exhibit
Desserts have always been a special treat. For centuries, Mainers have enjoyed something sweet as a nice conclusion to a meal or celebrate a special occasion. But many things have changed over the years: how cooks learn to make desserts, what foods and tools were available, what was important to people.
Exhibit
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's popularity in the 19th century is reflected by the number of images of him -- in a variety of media -- that were produced and reproduced, some to go with published works of his, but many to be sold to the public on cards and postcards.
Exhibit
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.
Exhibit
Toy Len Goon: Mother of the Year
Toy Len Goon of Portland, an immigrant from China, was a widow with six children when she was selected in 1952 as America's Mother of the Year.
Exhibit
Student Exhibit: Medicine in Times Past
Inspired by Dr. Greenleaf Wilbur's medical box at the Skowhegan History House, this exhibit highlights some Mainers in the medical field of the past and the stories they had.
Exhibit
Home: The Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Portland - The Wadsworth Era: 1786-1807
"… pastimes (when not helping at home) were reading, writing letters, playing the spinet, and drawing. John, 16, later went to Harvard College."
Exhibit
"… Historical Society Powwow Music Click to read Chris Sockalexis's story A powwow is a gathering held by many Native American and First Nations…"
Exhibit
Music in Maine - Longfellow Family Music
"… House, nurtured by family members who read avidly, drew, painted, played music, and wrote."
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Music in Maine - Music Education
"… brain development, especially in language, reading skills, and mathematical learning. Family and school bands and encouraged children to learn how…"