Maine Memory Network
Maine's Online Museum

Title: Women's Library Club, Lovell, ca. 1930

Contributed by: Lovell Historical Society

Date: circa 1930

Location: Lovell

Media: Photographic print

Title: Women's Library Club, Lovell, 1950

Contributed by: Lovell Historical Society

Date: 1950-08-23

Location: Lovell

Media: Photoprint

Title: Westbrook Seminary students, ca. 1855

Contributed by: Abplanalp Library, UNE

Date: circa 1855

Location: Westbrook; Portland; Portland

Media: tintype

Westbrook Seminary: Educating Women

Westbrook Seminary, built on Stevens Plain in 1831, was founded to educate young men and young women. Seminaries traditionally were a form of advanced secondary education. Westbrook Seminary served an important function in admitting women students, for whom education was less available in the early and mid nineteenth century.

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.

Away at School: Letters Home

Young men and women in the 19th century often went away from home -- sometimes for a few months, sometimes for longer periods -- to attend academies, seminaries, or schools run by individuals. While there, they wrote letters home, reporting on boarding arrangements and coursework undertaken, and inquired about the family at home.

Swan's Island: Six miles east of ordinary

A look back at island life in Maine as captured by a team consisting of Swan's Island Educational Society representatives, which encompasses the community's library and historical society, a class from the Swan's Island School, and an Island Fellow from the Island Institute. Exhibit topics examine islanders at work and play, Baird's Quarry, old buildings, and the changing role of women on the island.

Strong, a Mussul Unsquit village

The history of a small western Maine community north of Farmington as told by a team consisting of Strong Historical Society, Strong Elementary School, and Strong Public Library. Exhibit topics include Strong's prominence in the wood products industry (it was once the "Toothpick Capital of the World"), the "Bridge that Changed the Map," schools and educational history, clubs and organizations, "Fly Rod" Crosby, the first Maine guide, and a rich student section related to the Civil War and post-Civil War era in the town.

Islesboro--An Island in Penobscot Bay

A history of one of Maine’s many populated islands. The site was created by a team consisting of representatives from Islesboro Historical Society, Islesboro Central School, and the Alice L. Pendleton Library. Early settlements, businesses and cottage industries, schools, water transportation, and summer resorts are the topics covered.