Maine Memory Network
Maine's Online Museum

Title: Cooking school poster proof, 1964

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society

Media: Ink on paper

Title: Cooking class, Portland High School, ca. 1920

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society

Date: circa 1920

Location: Portland

Media: Photograph

Title: Good Will boys cooking, Fairfield, ca. 1950

Contributed by: L.C. Bates Museum / Good Will-Hinckley Homes

Date: circa 1950

Location: Fairfield

Media: Photographic print

Graduation Season

Graduations -- and schools -- in the 19th through the first decade of the 20th century often were small affairs and sometimes featured student presentations that demonstrated what they had learned. They were not necessarily held in May or June, what later became the standard "end of the school year."

Wired! How Electricity Came to Maine

As early as 1633, entrepreneurs along the Piscataqua River in southern Maine utilized the force of the river to power a sawmill, recognizing the potential of the area's natural power sources, but it was not until the 1890s that technology made widespread electricity a reality -- and even then, consumers had to be urged to use it.

Working Women of the Old Port

Women at the turn of the 20th century were increasingly involved in paid work outside the home. For wage-earning women in the Old Port section of Portland, the jobs ranged from canning fish and vegetables to setting type. A study done in 1907 found many women did not earn living wages.

Farmington: Franklin County's Shiretown

The history of Farmington as depicted by representatives from Farmington Historical Society, Farmington Public Library, Center for Community GIS, University of Maine at Farmington, and the Mallett School. Topics covered include education, culture, early settlers, important residents, agriculture, and a special section on maps.

Guilford, Maine

An extensive history of a small central Maine town as compiled by team members from Guilford Historical Society and Piscataquis Community Middle School, with input from Guilford Memorial Library, Guilford Economic Development Board, and the Guilford’s town office. Manufacturing, festive events, historic buildings, notable veterans, and education, are covered in depth.

Maine's Swedish Colony, July 23, 1870

A history of Maine's Swedish Colony in Aroostook County. Project partners include Caribou Public Library, Maine Swedish Colony, New Sweden School, New Sweden Historical Society, Nylander Museum, and Stockholm Historical Society. In addition to a substantive history of the Colony generally, exhibit topics cover specific family histories, Olof Nylander, mills and homes in Stockholm, hand tools, railroads, and more.