The First Maine State House, Portland, ca. 1832

Contributed by Maine Historical Society and Maine State Museum

Description

When Maine achieved statehood in 1820, the first state capitol was at Portland. The original or "old" state house, located at the corner of Congress and Myrtle Streets, was built that same year. The Senate Chamber, seen on the right side of the painting, served as Maine Historical Society's first location from February to December of 1822. In 1827, Maine's legislature voted to move the capitol to Augusta, with state business officially moving by 1832. The old state house burned in the Great Fire of 1866. At right is the Cumberland County Court House, built in 1816, and at center, the spire of the old First Parish Church. At left is the Portland Academy.

This watercolor was attributed to an artist by the name Anna Bucknam or Anna M. Bucknam when it came up for auction in 1998. However, the work is unsigned and the source of this attribution is unknown. The work was said to be from a house in the Yarmouth (then North Yarmouth) area. Research, as of 2023, is unable to match the artist to a specific Anna Bucknam.

An alternate title is "Maine State House as it looked in 1820" or "Watercolor of Congress Street, Portland."

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About This Item

  • Title: The First Maine State House, Portland, ca. 1832
  • Creator: Anna Bucknam
  • Creation Date: circa 1832
  • Subject Date: 1820
  • Location: Portland, Cumberland County, ME
  • Media: Watercolor
  • Dimensions: 36.83 cm x 49.53 cm
  • Local Code: 1998.30.1
  • Object Type: Image

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For more information about this item, contact:

Maine Historical Society and Maine State Museum
489 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101
207-774-1822 x230
Website

Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.

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