Maine Memory Network

A Brief History of Colby College

Colby originated in 1813 as Maine Literary and Theological Institution and is now a small private liberal arts college of about 1,800 students. A timeline of the history and development of Colby College from 1813 until the present.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Quenching the Thirst

"… Maine Jim M'Kin, 1898 Photograph Collections of Maine Historical Society Maine's Native Americans were noted for their skill as guides."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Temperance Membership

"1848 No. 1, Durham, Maine Painted silk Collections of Maine Historical Society; gift of Orie Louise Knight, 1916 149* The Washingtonian Anti-Drinking…"

Big Timber: the Mast Trade

Britain was especially interested in occupying Maine during the Colonial era to take advantage of the timber resources. The tall, straight, old growth white pines were perfect for ships' masts to help supply the growing Royal Navy.

Great Cranberry Island's Preble House

The Preble House, built in 1827 on a hilltop over Preble Cove on Great Cranberry Island, was the home to several generations of Hadlock, Preble, and Spurling family members -- and featured in several books.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Business as Usual

"After Maine went dry in 1851, it was illegal to drink, possess, or sell alcohol but manufacturing remained legal until a stricter law was added to…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Reform and Repeal

"… Who Profits from Beer? Christian Civic League of Maine Collections of Maine Historical Society Coll."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Acknowledgements

"Masterman John Matzke Mothers Against Drunk Driving National Gallery of Art Bevinn O'Brien Old York Historical Society, York, Maine Old Sturbridge…"

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

"1850Maine Historical Society Tavern Sign Maine, mid 19th century Painted wood Collections of Maine Historical Society; gift of Dorothy Plummer, 1985…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Bootleggers vs. Police

"… Inn Collections of Maine Historical Society/Maine Today Media Citizens in Maine and throughout the nation reacted to prohibition in a variety of…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Overview & Introduction

"… highlighting the role that drink played in Maine's social, economic and political history, and profiling the events and leaders in Maine that…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Women Leaders and Temperance

"… Maine Historical Society M 178.5 St47 X Maine Womans Christian Temperance Union Scrapbook 1898 Collections of Maine Historical Society…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - A Call to Temperance

"1849 Collections of Maine Historical Society On April 7, 1849 Jere Swett was indulging himself at the Exchange Street saloon of Harrison G."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Influential & Interesting Documents

"951, vol. 14 Public drinking establishments were regulated in Maine as early as 1636 when tavern keepers were held accountable for allowing anyone to…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Society Copes

"… by Rudy Vallee (1901-1986) Collections of Maine Historical Society Written at the University of Maine, Orono by Lincoln Colcord and Adelbert…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Why Study the History of Drinking?

"… History of Drinking? The history of drinking in Maine and America is rich and complex. It began with the earliest European settlement, and it…"

Unlocking the Declaration's Secrets

Fewer than 30 copies of the first printing of the Declaration of Independence are known to exist. John Dunlap hurriedly printed copies for distribution to assemblies, conventions, committees and military officers. Authenticating authenticity of the document requires examination of numerous details of the broadside.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - The Continuing Debate

"still work to resolve some of its problems. In Maine, increased media attention, including a series of award-winning articles in the Portland Press…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - 1620 to 1820: New England's Great Secret

"… Coming of Drink to New England (1620–1820) For Maine's early European settlers, alcohol was a social institution, a medicine, and an actively…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Drinking Implements

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

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

"… Back to: 1820 to 1865: Temperance and the Maine Law Cartoon, Portland Watch or Cracking Notes, ca."

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

"… politically activated women had strong roots in Maine. Lillian Stevens of Stroudwater was the right hand of President Frances Willard and succeeded…"

Lt. Charles Bridges: Getting Ahead in the Army

Sgt. Charles Bridges of Co. B of the 2nd Maine Infantry was close to the end of his two years' enlistment in early 1863 when he took advantage of an opportunity for advancement by seeking and getting a commission as an officer in the 3rd Regiment U.S. Volunteers.

Building the International Appalachian Trail

Wildlife biologist Richard Anderson first proposed the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) in 1993. The IAT is a long-distance hiking trail along the modern-day Appalachian, Caledonian, and Atlas Mountain ranges, geological descendants of the ancient Central Pangean Mountains. Today, the IAT stretches from the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine, through portions of Canada, Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Europe, and into northern Africa.