Maine Memory Network
Maine's Online Museum

Title: Good Will Orphan Boy in the woods with an ax

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

Location: Fairfield

Media: Black and White Photographic Print

Title: Hewing ax, ca. 1650

Contributed by: Davistown Museum

Date: circa 1650

Media: Forged iron and steel, wooden handle.

Title: Bald Mountain Forest Service work, ca. 1920

Contributed by: Maine Forest Service

Date: circa 1920

Location: Baring

Media: Photograph

Looking Out: Maine's Fire Towers

Maine, the most heavily forested state in the nation, had the first continuously operational fire lookout tower, beginning a system of fire prevention that lasted much of the twentieth century.

Putting Men to Work, Saving Trees

While many Mainers were averse to accepting federal relief money during the Great Depression of the 1930s, young men eagerly joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, one of President Franklin Roosevelt's most popular programs. The Maine Forest Service supervised the work of many of the camps.

Big Timber: the Mast Trade

Britain was especially interested in occupying Maine during the Colonial era to take advantage of the timber resources. The tall, straight, old growth white pines were perfect for ships' masts to help supply the growing Royal Navy.