Maine Memory Network

Unfinished embroidery, ca. 1800

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: circa 1800 Media: Silk on silk over linen

Moore Memorial embroidery, Portland, 1838

Contributed by: Maine Historical Society Date: 1838 Location: Portland Media: Silk, watercolor, printers type, photo transp.

Samplers: Learning to Sew

Settlers' clothing had to be durable and practical to hold up against hard work and winters. From the 1700s to the mid 1800s, the women of Maine learned to sew by making samplers.

Art of the People: Folk Art in Maine

For many different reasons people saved and carefully preserved the objects in this exhibit. Eventually, along with the memories they hold, the objects were passed to the Maine Historical Society. Object and memory, serve as a powerful way to explore history and to connect to the lives of people in the past.

Historic Clothing Collection - White cotton dress with gigot sleeves, Portland, ca. 1828 - Page 1 of 2

"White work (white embroidery on white fabric) is reminiscent of christening gowns or ceremonial items."

Historic Clothing Collection - Sally Holmes's evening gown, ca. 1824 - Page 1 of 2

"… trimmed with the fashionable metallic silver embroidery of the day, and an elaborate chenille and metallic silver corsage embellishes the bodice."