Maine Memory Network

Re-enactment of Oxford County Finnish settlement, 1898

Contributed by: Western Maine Cultural Alliance Date: 1898 Location: South Paris Media: MP3

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Olympic skiers and sons, Rumford, ca. 1965

Contributed by: Wendall Chummy Broomhall through Ski Museum of Maine Date: circa 1965 Location: Rumford Media: Photographic print

Extracting Wealth

Maine's natural resources -- granite, limestone and slate in particular -- along with its excellent ports made it a leader in mining and production of the valuable building materials. Stone work also attracted numerous skilled immigrants.

"Twenty Nationalities, But All Americans"

Concern about immigrants and their loyalty in the post World War I era led to programs to "Americanize" them -- an effort to help them learn English and otherwise adjust to life in the United States. Clara Soule ran one such program for the Portland Public Schools, hoping it would help the immigrants be accepted.

Surry by the Bay - Early Twentieth Century

"… money with dinners at the Grange Hall to assist Finland in their fight against Russia's invasion. Local rescue teams were trained to handle…"