Maine Memory Network

We Are An Ordinary Family
by Catherine

Maine's abolitionists offer an answer to my questions about my family's experiences.

August 12, 1967 was the most significant day of my life
by Bob Small

How the Vietnam war affected my life

Michael Reilly: preserving an iconic family business
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

The story behind Reilly's Bakery, at the heart of Biddeford’s Main Street for 100+ years

A Lifelong Romance with Retail
by George A Smith

Maine's once plentiful small retail stores.

Senator Susan Deschambault: not afraid to take on challenges
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center Voices of Biddeford project

Honoring her family's small business roots and community service through her own unconventional path

Charles "Chuck" Tsomides: devoted to family and local sports
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

A life influenced by Greek ancestry, love of music and appreciation for local community sports

Apple Time - a visit to the ancestral farm
by Randy Randall

Memories from childhood of visiting the family homestead in Limington during apple picking time.

Sarah Jane Poli: Biddeford’s first female school superintendent
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

An Italian immigrant's daughter is key to a family grocery store and a leader in the school system

Norman Sevigny: history of a neighborhood grocery store
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

Growing up in a Franco-American community and working in the family business, Sevigny’s Market

Cape Verde and the Doctrines of Discovery
by Lelia DeAndrade

My Cape Verde family's culture and history is tied to the Doctrines of Discovery

A Maine Family's story of being Prisoners of War in Manila
by Nicki Griffin

As a child, born after the war, I would hear these stories - glad they were finally written down

Cantor Beth & Dr David Strassler: personal insights on life
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

The journey of a couple devoted to each other, their family, their community and their religion

Spiros Droggitis: From Biddeford to Washington DC and back
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

A Greek family's impact: from the iconic Wonderbar Restaurant to Washington DC

Aroostook Potato Harvest: Perspective of a Six Year Old
by Phyllis A. Blackstone

A child's memory of potato harvest in the 1950s

"Mama sings 'get your hands up'": Maria's Diary June 2020
by Maria

Maria, 7 years old, records impressions of staying with her grandparents in Somesville in June 2020.

Sam Smithwick:From Southern rock star to local community builder
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center Voices of Biddeford project

Sam found his home in Maine and dedicates his talents to the growth of our evolving community.

John Coyne from Waterville Enlists as a Railroad Man in WWI
by Mary D. Coyne

Description of conditions railroad men endured and family background on John Coyne.

The man who dedicated 52 years to Biddeford's iconic Alex Pizza
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

A work ethic learned from his parents and passion for the employees and customers of Alex Pizza.

Elizabeth Mantis Spiliopoulos: passion for life & Greek heritage
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

A spunky 99-year-old shares her crystal-clear recollections of all the changes in her lifetime

Tammy Ackerman: Falling in love with Biddeford
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

Someone "from away" who fell in love with Biddeford and contributed to its transformation

How I broke the mold for women to serve in the military
by Mary D. McGuirk

My life and career as a USAF Nurse

Bert Gagne-from star athlete to community barber
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center Voices of Biddeford project

Bert’s personal account of his lifelong non-stop approach including his 60+ years as a barber.

Catching live bait with Grandfather
by Randy Randall

We never bought live bait for fishing. Grandfather caught all the minnows and shiners we needed.

Dan Gagne: The story behind Biddeford’s legendary speed skater
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

Stories from a competitive athlete with countless awards and contributions to his community