Maine Memory Network

During World War I, women entered the workplace like never before. Women were hired at businesses such as the Portland Company to replace male counterparts and to fill positions needed for the war effort.

While women were often welcomed into employment, a level of discrimination remained. Single women were preferred over married women or women with children, and only some positions allowed for women to dress in trousers. After the war, a percentage of women remained in the workforce, but industrial positions like those at the Portland Co. reverted to men returning from the front and defense contract positions were no longer needed.

However, changes were in store. In 1918, the Department of Labor established the ‘Women in Industry Service’, a precursor to the Women’s Bureau. The Women’s Bureau is an advocacy and research service for women in the workforce. Even in the 21st Century, it continues to pursue workplace equality.

War Savings and Thrift Stamps, like their Liberty Loan counterparts, aimed at raising funds for the war effort. Stamps were targeted towards individuals with less discretionary funds. Between 1918 and 1920, Maine citizens purchased $8.3 million dollars in war stamps.

Haskell Coffin’s “Joan of Arc” war stamp poster is one of the most iconic propaganda posters of the World War I period. It encouraged women to purchase War Savings Stamps, and played on the American admiration for French culture, which dates back to the Revolutionary War.

The average citizen was expected to do his or her part to support the war effort. The United States Food Administration promoted mindful consumption, in addition to locally sourced foods and alternate ingredients. Meats, fats and grains were considered essential to the military and her allies. Americans were encouraged to eat smaller portions, cook with readily available and local ingredients, and cook with left overs. Stockpiling ingredients was also discouraged (even illegal) and considered very unpatriotic.

Homefront humanitarian efforts continued beyond the war years. The European Relief Council (ERC), one of many such organizations, was dedicated to sending supplies to Europe to feed, clothe, and protect children affected by the war. Future President Herbert Hoover was elected Chairman of the ERC in 1920, the year the council was formed.

This certificate indicates that the Portland Ceramic Club donated $15 to the relief fund in February 1921.

In an attempt to aid the starving people of Belgium during World War I, Joseph E. Hall of the Aroostook Board of Trade corresponded with Percy R. Todd, President of the Bangor & Aroostook Rail Road Company. In November and December of 1914, they planned the donation of potatoes as relief for those in need overseas.

There were two intentions for the potatoes: some were to be sold by the Produce Exchange to New York, with all of the proceeds to be donated to Belgium and some potatoes were to be shipped overseas to feed the hungry.

As of January 1, 1915, potatoes had arrived by train in Boston to be shipped overseas on the Steamship Harpelyce.

Substituting potatoes for wheat was encouraged during World War I. Printed in Bangor, this ‘Maine Potato Week’ poster promoted the alternative ingredient from April 28 to May 4, 1918.

The American Library Association (ALA) established the Library War Service in 1917 to provide library services to soldiers and sailors, both stateside and abroad. The ALA collected over ten million volumes between 1917 and 1919.

With the help of donated books, ALA also established the American Library in Paris, encouraging soldiers in France to make use of its collections. The American Library in Paris is still in operation, and is the largest English lending library on the European continent.

For World War I, the United States Navy launched a campaign to secure telescopes, binoculars, spy-glasses and related devices from the American public, as German submarines warfare significantly altered the maritime battlefield. Americans were encouraged to mail their donated items directly to Washington DC or to local recruiting stations. Ideally, although not guaranteed, the items would be returned at the end of the war.

Miss Elizabeth Aageson of Portland lent her late father’s telescope to the U.S. Navy’s “Eyes for the Navy” program in 1918.

The telescope was used by her father, Frederick Aageson, during his career as a mariner. Made in London, the telescope includes a reference guide for British merchant signal flags. Attached to the telescope is a metal tag which reads "Donated to U.S.N. by Miss Elizabeth Aageson 436 St. John Street Portland Me. 1808." The 1808 is likely a reference number assigned to the piece, as the telescope was made around 1850.

This certificate acknowledges Elizabeth Aageson for the donation of her telescope to the "Eyes for the Navy" campaign during World War I.

Upon sending her father’s telescope to the local Navy recruiting office, Miss Elizabeth Aageson received a letter acknowledging receipt of her donation. Signed by future president Franklin D. Roosevelt, then Assistant Secretary of Navy, the letter outlined the Navy’s intention to return the piece if at all possible.

The telescope was returned to Miss Aageson at the war’s end. She was paid $1 for her trouble, about $15 in today’s currency.

Before the Liberty Ships of World War II, there were the wooden ships of World War I.

During WWI, the U.S. Navy commissioned commercial and private shipyards to build vessels to support the American war effort. The Emergency Fleet Corporation was established by the United States Shipping Board “to build, own and operate a merchant fleet” for the federal government.

Cumberland Shipyard in South Portland benefited from Navy contracts during 1917 and 1919, along with other Maine shipyards like Sandy Point (Stockton Springs), Freeport Shipbuilding (Freeport), GA Gilchrest (Thomaston) and Russell Shipyard (Portland). Bath Iron Works also benefited from Navy contracts. While over 80% of BIW’s revenue during the period came from defense contracts, production paled in comparison to the WWII era.

Margaret Chase at age 19, standing in front of the Skowhegan Red Cross office, where she worked as a volunteer.