Maine Memory Network

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Dance

"Randal White was one of many islanders to have music lessons. Mrs. Elizabeth Stanley Heming, wife of an island minister, was his music teacher."

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Playing at the pond

"This water froze over to create a popular skating destination for islanders. After the quarry shut down entirely, its water level remained high…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Summer Pleasures cont'd

"… Historical Society Ice cream socials were also popular in the 1940s occurring when islanders walked to places like the Seaside Hall for a dance."

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Draining the quarry

"… up the pit and iced over in the winter to make a popular skating pond. When the pond was drained in 2003, many treasures were found: old tools…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Odd Fellows Hall

"… was a fraternal organization that became popular on Swan's Island in the early 1900s. The Odd Fellows met in Epworth Hall, across from the current…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Theater

"It is known that they were very popular and the community came to watch their children perform."

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Summer Pleasures

"During the summer months Normie provides these very popular boat trips once or twice a week. Continued on next page"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Winter Fun

"… Island Historical Society Sledding was also a popular winter past time and there were enough hills worth making the slide exciting."

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - Redmen's Hall

"… was a national fraternal organization that became popular on Swan's Island in the early 1900s. Redmen’s Hall was a two-story building constructed…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - The Tea Room

"… Society 253 Harbor Road is now known best as the popular Swan's Island Tea Room, but it once served as a home for multiple generations."

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - IV. Transitions and troubles: Private enterprise shoulders an island’s needs

"There was also a decrease in the popular Fourth of July prank of tipping over outhouses, although many other practical jokes survived the new…"

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary - III. Boom, bustle, bust: The Steamboat Years to WWII

"… and around 1857 lobster fishing began to grow in popularity. A lobster canning factory was built in Old Harbor, although demand fluctuated."

Blue Hill, Maine - In Search of the Rustic Life

"Hiking was popular and many used handcrafted wooden canes when hiking. Some popular places to hike were Blue Hill Mountain and the Blue Hill Falls…"

Blue Hill, Maine - A Real Downeast County Fair

"People with amazing musical talents play on the sound stages. There are many frustrating games that are fun and for a minimal price you can keep…"

Blue Hill, Maine - Educating Blue Hill

"Soon the arts became popular, and students began to pay for painting, drawing and music lessons. Other than arts, important courses in the academy…"

Early Maine Photography - Occupational Photography

"In mid nineteenth century Maine music was popularized through the efforts of individual musicians and local musical groups, especially bands."

Waterville Public Library

View collections, facts, and contact information for this Contributing Partner.

Portland Press Herald Glass Negative Collection - Allies & Allegiance: Military comradery at the Centennial, 1920

"The extremely popular “Indian Village,” hosted by members by members of the Wabanaki community at Deering Oaks was a crowd and media favorite."

Life on a Tidal River - Bass Park: A History of Fillies, Fame, and Fun

"A large facility was needed for major musical events. The Maine Music Festivals were held in the auditorium."

Highlighting Historical Hampden - Expansion

"… and included magicians, dancers, singers, musical vaudeville, acrobats and aerialists, slapstick comedy and musical productions."

Bath's Historic Downtown - Entertainment- Alameda and Opera House

"These included the Music Hall, Uptown Theater, Columbia Hall, and our focus, the Bath Opera House, and its precursor, the Alameda."

New Portland: Bridging the Past to the Future - North New Portland Village

"There were several musical organizations, the first group of organized musicians that is recorded was in the late 1800s."

John Martin: Expert Observer - Dancing Fraternity, City of Bangor, 1868

"… and his movements as easy and responsive to music as those of a youth of today." Martin (1823-1904) pasted the article about his accomplishment in…"

Farmington: Franklin County's Shiretown - Brief History

"… educator of his time, and took part in the musical life of the community in which he became its first choir director.” (Music and Musicians on…"