Maine Memory Network

Hartland Fairground, ca. 1890

Contributed by: Hartland Historical Society Date: circa 1890 Location: Hartland Media: Photographic print

Hartland agricultural fairgrounds, ca. 1890

Contributed by: Hartland Historical Society Date: circa 1890 Location: Hartland Media: Photographic print

Big New Maine State Fair, Lewiston, 1898-1918

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: 1898–1918 Location: Lewiston Client: unknown Architect: Harry S. Coombs; Coombs, Gibbs, and Wilkinson Architects

Bowdoin College Maine Festival elevations, Brunswick, 1986

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: 1986 Location: Brunswick Client: Bowdoin College Architect: Carol A. Wilson

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.

Blue Hill, Maine - A Real Downeast County Fair

"What most people don’t know is that the fair described in the book is the Blue Hill Fair! E.B White lived just down the road in Brooklin."

Farmington: Franklin County's Shiretown - Fair souvenir, Farmington Public Library, 1890

"Fair souvenir, Farmington Public Library, 1890 Contributed by Farmington Public Library Description The newly formed Library Association…"

How Belfast was the Chicken Capital of the Northeast
by Ralph Chavis

My memories of spending time in Belfast as a child when my father worked in the chicken industry.

Jennie Aranovitch - honoring family legacy and Jewish identity
by Biddeford Cultural & Heritage Center

Her great-grandparents journey from Belarus through current day Jewish experience in Biddeford.