Maine Memory Network

"Twenty Nationalities, But All Americans"

Concern about immigrants and their loyalty in the post World War I era led to programs to "Americanize" them -- an effort to help them learn English and otherwise adjust to life in the United States. Clara Soule ran one such program for the Portland Public Schools, hoping it would help the immigrants be accepted.

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

"1919 to 1934: The Nation Follows Maine Into Prohibition Triumph and Disappointment Confiscated liquor bottles, Portland, 1927Maine Historical…"

Maine Politicians, National Leaders

From the early days of Maine statehood to the present, countless Maine politicians have made names for themselves on the national stage.

Presidents and Campaigns

Several Mainers have run for president or vice president, a number of presidents, past presidents, and future presidents have had ties to the state or visited here, and, during campaign season, many presidential candidates and their family members have brought their campaigns to Maine.

Power of Potential

The National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (NFBPWC) held their seventh annual convention in Portland during July 12 to July 18, 1925. Over 2,000 working women from around the country visited the city.

Designing Acadia

For one hundred years, Acadia National Park has captured the American imagination and stood as the most recognizable symbol of Maine’s important natural history and identity. This exhibit highlights Maine Memory content relating to Acadia and Mount Desert Island.

John Hancock's Relation to Maine

The president of the Continental Congress and the Declaration's most notable signatory, John Hancock, has ties to Maine through politics, and commercial businesses, substantial property, vacations, and family.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Overview & Introduction

"Its legislation and its leaders help set the national agenda; its love of drink and resistance to change mirrored the national experience."

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

"Mainers contributed to this national reform through numerous leaders including Lillian M. N. Stevens, Francis Murphy, and the unsinkable General Neal…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - The Continuing Debate

"Maine has even joined the rest of the nation as a manufacturer of local liquor, wine, and beer. If banning the manufacture and use of alcohol was a…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Reform and Repeal

"Reform and Repeal Back to: 1919 to 1934: The Nation Follows Maine Into Prohibition X Franco-American Temperance Workers Westbrook, ca."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Acknowledgements

"Daveis Benevolent Fund National Distributors Inc. Opening Reception Acadia Trust N.A./Gouws Capital Lecture Series Lincoln National Life Insurance Co."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Society Copes

"… Society Copes Back to: 1919 to 1934: The Nation Follows Maine Into Prohibition X The 18th Amendment, 1920 Bowdoin Bugle 1920 Collections…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Women Leaders and Temperance

"1900 Courtesy of the Charles E. Burden Collection Mrs. Nation (1846-1911), was known for attacking saloons with her hatchet and made at least one…"

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

"Celebrated as the "Napoleon of Temperance," Dow promoted his approach nationally and internationally."

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

"Maine led the nation in the temperance fight; a look at its history might help put current issues in some perspective."

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Bootleggers vs. Police

"Police Back to: 1919 to 1934: The Nation Follows Maine Into Prohibition X Rum Car Wrecked After Gun Fight with Officers Portland Evening…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Quenching the Thirst

"Bird's eye view of National Soldier's Home, Togus near Augusta, 1878Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education National Soldier…"

Student Exhibit: Benedict Arnold's March Through Skowhegan

Benedict Arnold arrived in Skowhegan on October 4th, 1775, and it was here that Arnold received his first offer of help from the colonists. Joseph Weston and his sons helped Benedict Arnold and his army cross over the Skowhegan Falls, but Joseph later got a severe cold from exposure and died of a fever on Oct.16th. His sons went back to the family home along the Kennebec for they were the first family to settle in Old Canaan or what is now Skowhegan.

Educating Oneself: Carnegie Libraries

Industrialist Andrew Carnegie gave grants for 20 libraries in Maine between 1897 and 1912, specifying that the town own the land, set aside funds for maintenance, have room to expand -- and offer library services at no charge.

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Temperance Membership

"Some were independent, while others linked to national and state movements or organizations. X Youth's Temperance Ribbon Silk Late 19th…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - Neal Dow

""The liquor traffic is a grater curse to the nation and a greater source of misery, wretchedness and pain to the people than are all other sources of…"

Rum, Riot, and Reform - A Call to Temperance

"… Going with the Stream, and other stories National Temperance Society and Publication House, 1883 Courtesy of William and Debra Barry X…"

Debates Over Suffrage

While numerous Mainers worked for and against woman suffrage in the state in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, some also worked on the national level, seeking a federal amendment to allow women the right to vote