Maine Memory Network

Home: The Longfellow House & the Emergence of Portland

The Wadsworth-Longfellow house is the oldest building on the Portland peninsula, the first historic site in Maine, a National Historic Landmark, home to three generations of Wadsworth and Longfellow family members -- including the boyhood home of the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The history of the house and its inhabitants provide a unique view of the growth and changes of Portland -- as well as of the immediate surroundings of the home.

Portland Hotels

Since the establishment of the area's first licensed hotel in 1681, Portland has had a dramatic, grand and boisterous hotel tradition. The Portland hotel industry has in many ways reflected the growth and development of the city itself. As Portland grew with greater numbers of people moving through the city or calling it home, the hotel business expanded to fit the increasing demand.

Home: The Wadsworth-Longfellow House and Portland - The Longfellow Era: 1807-1901

""An affectionate presence seems to enfold me here…A benediction will ever rest on us children under the old roof tree…so long as memory of our dear…"

South Portland's Wartime Shipbuilding

Two shipyards in South Portland, built quickly in 1941 to construct cargo ships for the British and Americans, produced nearly 270 ships in two and a half years. Many of those vessels bore the names of notable Mainers.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Politics and Enforcement

"1900 Courtesy of the Charles E. Burden Collection The Rev. Samuel Freeman Pearson (1841-1901) was a Portland Fundamentalist preacher, leader of the…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - A Call to Temperance

"X Portland Riot Broadsides, Portland, 1849 Courtesy of a Private Collection These broadsides commemorate the famous bawdyhouse gunfights in…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Society Copes

"Oh, tell me when you comin back again?" X Buy Your Grape Juice with a Signed Guarantee, 1932 Collections of Maine Historical Society Coll."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Drinking: Elegance and Debauchery

"… in a respectable house was not the business for me to start as a young man desiring the best wishes of the best people." - John Martin X…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Bootleggers vs. Police

"… Illegal whiskey being removed from a vessel in Portland Harbor Portland, ca. 1920 Collections off Maine Historical Society/Maine Today Media Booze…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Business as Usual

"X Rum Cart in Gorham's Corner Portland, ca. 1900 Collections of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission Portland's Gorham's Corner (the…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Neal Dow

"Jordan, Jr., 1998 Portland City Hall, Market Square, ca. 1880Maine Historical Society City Hall in Market Square, Portland, ca."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Drinking Implements

"… Boston Silver Courtesy of the The First Parish in Portland, Maine Unitarian Universalist This mug was presented to Reverend Deane of First Parish…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Acknowledgements

"… Village Peabody Essex Museum Pingree Family Portland Museum of Art Portland Public Library Madelyn Provancher Rumford Historical Society Saint…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Taverns, People, and Scenes

"Plan of Ann (now Park) Street, Portland, ca. 1802Maine Historical Society Plan of Ann Street, Portland, ca."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Quenching the Thirst

"X X X Wine Press Kendall & Whitney, Portland, early 20th century Courtesy of Doris Stockly This press belonged to Antonio Potenza…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Influential & Interesting Documents

"X Permit for Nathaniel Deering of Portland to sell liquor, 4 February 1788 Collections of Maine Historical Society Coll. 951, vol."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1820 to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law

"The Napoleon of Temperance By mid-century, Portland's Neal Dow (1804-1897) changed the tactics of the battle against alcohol by adopting a…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Women Leaders and Temperance

"Lillian M.W. Stevens, Portland, ca. 1910Greater Portland Landmarks Home of Lillian M. N. Stevens Postcard, ca."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - The Continuing Debate

"… a series of award-winning articles in the Portland Press Herald last year, and the state's well-publicized tough drunk-driving laws also keep the…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Temperance Membership

"Riggers and Sail Makers banner, Portland, 1841Maine Historical Society Parade Banner for the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association, Pump and Block…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1919 to 1934: The Nation Follows Maine Into Prohibition

"… Disappointment Confiscated liquor bottles, Portland, 1927Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media The dream of outlawing the manufacture…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Overview & Introduction

"Overview & Introduction Cache of liquor, Portland, 1920Maine Historical Society/MaineToday Media Maine played a central role in the United…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Reform and Repeal

"… 20th century Courtesy of The Great Lost Bear, Portland This impassioned sign summarizes the attitude and goals of the Prohibition movement."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1865 to 1919: The Drys Gain New Adherents and Leaders

"During the 1870s, alcoholics including former Portland liquor-dealer Francis Murphy, Gardiner businessman J.K. Osgood, and Bangor physician Dr."