Maine Memory Network

John Hardy on War of 1812 naval battles, Sandy Hook, New York, 1813

Contributed by: Old Canada Road Historical Society Date: 1813-05-15 Location: Sandy Hook; Kittery Point Media: Ink on paper

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James F. Baldwin on effect of War of 1812 on land sales, 1812

Contributed by: Pierce Family Collection through Maine Historical Society Date: 1812 Location: Boston; Baldwin Media: Ink on paper

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The British capture and occupation of Eastport 1814-1818

The War of 1812 ended in December 1814, but Eastport continued to be under British control for another four years. Eastport was the last American territory occupied by the British from the War of 1812 to be returned to the United States. Except for the brief capture of two Aleutian Islands in Alaska by the Japanese in World War II, it was the last time since 2018 that United States soil was occupied by a foreign government.

Prisoners of War

Mainers have been held prisoners in conflicts fought on Maine and American soil and in those fought overseas. In addition, enemy prisoners from several wars have been brought to Maine soil for the duration of the war.

Highlighting Historical Hampden - War of 1812

"War of 1812 Text by Karyn Field There is no doubt that by the time of the Battle of Hampden, September 3, 1814, the British were already familiar…"

Lincoln, Maine - Civil War

"I think all the people that fought in the Civil War were really brave. One of the men that was part of the Civil War from Lincoln was William…"

The centuries-long history of Passamaquoddy Veterans
by Donald Soctomah, Passamaquoddy Historic Preservation Office

Passamaquoddy Veterans Protecting the Homeland

Becoming Maine: The Votes for Statehood

Grade Level: 3-5 Content Area: Social Studies
Maine became a state in 1820 after separating from Massachusetts, but the call for statehood had begun long before the final vote. Why did it take so long? Was 1820 the right time? In this lesson, students will begin to place where Maine’s statehood fits into the broader narrative of 18th and 19th century American political history. They will have the opportunity to cast their own Missouri Compromise vote after learning about Maine’s long road to statehood.

Becoming Maine: The District of Maine's Coastal Economy

Grade Level: 3-5 Content Area: Social Studies
This lesson plan will introduce students to the maritime economy of Maine prior to statehood and to the Coasting Law that impacted the separation debate. Students will examine primary documents, take part in an activity that will put the Coasting Law in the context of late 18th century – early 19th century New England, and learn about how the Embargo Act of 1807 affected Maine in the decades leading to statehood.