Maine Memory Network

Picturing Henry

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's popularity in the 19th century is reflected by the number of images of him -- in a variety of media -- that were produced and reproduced, some to go with published works of his, but many to be sold to the public on cards and postcards.

Drawing Together: Art of the Longfellows

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is best know as a poet, but he also was accomplished in drawing and music. He shared his love of drawing with most of his siblings. They all shared the frequent activity of drawing and painting with their children. The extended family included many professional as well as amateur artists, and several architects.

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.

Maine Medical Center, Bramhall Campus

Maine Medical Center, founded as Maine General Hospital, has dominated Portland’s West End since its construction in 1871 on Bramhall Hill. As the medical field grew in both technological and social practice, the facility of the hospital also changed. This exhibit tracks the expansion and additions to that original building as the hospital adapted to its patients’ needs.

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

"… Historical Society Henry (Hen) Wadsworth Longfellow (1839-1874) Henry (Hen) Wadsworth Longfellow was the son of Stephen and Marianne Longfellow…"

George F. Shepley: Lawyer, Soldier, Administrator

George F. Shepley of Portland had achieved renown as a lawyer and as U.S. Attorney for Maine when, at age 42 he formed the 12th Maine Infantry and went off to war. Shepley became military governor of Louisiana early in 1862 and remained in the military for the duration of the war.

Port of Portland's Custom House and Collectors of Customs

The collector of Portland was the key to federal patronage in Maine, though other ports and towns had collectors. Through the 19th century, the revenue was the major source of Federal Government income. As in Colonial times, the person appointed to head the custom House in Casco Bay was almost always a leading community figure, or a well-connected political personage.

Dressing Up, Standing Out, Fitting In

Adorning oneself to look one's "best" has varied over time, gender, economic class, and by event. Adornments suggest one's sense of identity and one's intent to stand out or fit in.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Women Leaders and Temperance

"Parade Bangor, September 15, 1909 Courtesy of Henry Gartley, original from the Herbert Cary family A view of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union…"

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

"… the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.), was founded in 1874. Though originating in Ohio, this countrywide group of politically activated…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Politics and Enforcement

"… The Maine Democrat , Waterville, October 22, 1909 W.G. Bunker Courtesy of Herbert C. Adams Few images so clearly suggest the hypocrisy of…"

Music in Maine - Music Makers

"… Society Bruns worked as a cabinet maker with the W. A. Allen Company making stairs, columns, and other architectural elements."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Acknowledgements

"Baker Matthew J. Barker Edgar M. W. Boyd Eva Biggart-Brady Charles E. Burden, M.D. Joyce Butler Jason Cons Tom Hardiman William B. Jordan, Jr."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Drinking Implements

"… underglaze blue painted decoration Courtesy of W.M. Schwind, Jr. Antiques X Goblet, 1690-1710 England Blown glass Courtesy of Arlene…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - The Continuing Debate

"… Mothers Against Drunk Driving, D.A.R.E., and the W.C.T.U. still work to resolve some of its problems."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Reform and Repeal

"X W. C. T. U. Sign Early 20th century Courtesy of The Great Lost Bear, Portland This impassioned sign summarizes the attitude and goals of the…"

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

"To them, the aging membership of the W.C.T.U. appeared as narrow-minded, humorless busybodies, a far cry from the respected temperance heroines of…"

Music in Maine - Music in Maine

"Burnham Charitable Trust, William Sloane Jelin Foundation, and the Phineas W. Sprague Memorial Foundaiton."

A City Awakes: Arts and Artisans of Early 19th Century Portland

Portland's growth from 1786 to 1860 spawned a unique social and cultural environment and fostered artistic opportunity and creative expression in a broad range of the arts, which flowered with the increasing wealth and opportunity in the city.

Northern Threads: Mourning Fashions

A themed exhibit vignette within "Northern Threads Part I," featuring 18th and 19th century mourning jewelry and fashions.

A Focus on Trees

Maine has some 17 million acres of forest land. But even on a smaller, more local scale, trees have been an important part of the landscape. In many communities, tree-lined commercial and residential streets are a dominant feature of photographs of the communities.

A Snapshot of Portland, 1924: The Taxman Cometh

In 1924, with Portland was on the verge of profound changes, the Tax Assessors Office undertook a project to document every building in the city -- with photographs and detailed information that provide a unique view into Portland's architecture, neighborhoods, industries, and businesses.

The Shape of Maine

The boundaries of Maine are the product of international conflict, economic competition, political fights, and contested development. The boundaries are expressions of human values; people determined the shape of Maine.

Bookplates Honor Annie Louise Cary

A summer resident of Wayne collected more than 3,000 bookplates to honor Maine native and noted opera singer Annie Louise Cary and to support the Cary Memorial Library.