Maine Memory Network
Maine's Online Museum

Title: Hartland Fairground, ca. 1890

Contributed by: Hartland Historical Society

Date: circa 1890

Location: Hartland

Media: Black and white photo

Title: Hartland agricultural fairgrounds, ca. 1890

Contributed by: Hartland Historical Society

Date: circa 1890

Location: Hartland

Media: Black and white photo

Title: Oxford County Fair, 4-H Club, 1976

Contributed by: Norway Historical Society

Date: 1976-09-23

Location: Norway

Media: newsprint

Fair Season: Crops, Livestock, and Entertainment

Agricultural fairs, intended to promote new techniques and better farming methods, have been held since the early 19th century. Before long, entertainments were added to the educational focus of the early fairs.

The World's Largest Oxen

Named for the two largest things in Maine at the turn of the 20th century, Mt. Katahdin and Granger of Stetson, were known as the Largest Oxen in the World. Unable to do farm work because of their size, they visited fairs and agricultural events around the Northeast.

"We are growing to be somewhat cosmopolitan…" Waterville in 1911

Between 1870 and 1911, Waterville more than doubled in size, becoming a center of manufacturing, transportation, and the retail trade and offering a variety of entertainments for its residents.

Blue Hill, Maine

The history of a small, but vibrant, Downeast village as told by an array of local institutions and organizations. Site contributors include Blue Hill Historical Society, Blue Hill Public Library, Blue Hill Consolidated School, George Stevens Academy, the Bay School, and the Jonathan Fisher House. Some of the topics covered include the arts, Jonathan Fisher, the Blue Hill Fair, Rusticators, the Civil War, education, and shipbuilding.