Preserving History • Engaging Minds • Connecting Maine MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY WINTER2015 2 2 MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MAINE HISTORICALSOCIETY Kathleen Neumann Horace W.Horton Kathleen Amoroso Holly Hurd-Forsyth Stephen Bromage Richard E.Barnes Laurie McQuarrie Thomas P.Noyes Patrick T.Jackson William D.Barry Nicholas Noyes Joseph E.Gray,1stVicePresident DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT Nan Cumming Thomas Cattell INCORPORATED 1822 Melissa Spoerl Jean Gulliver,2ndVicePresident Dan D’Ippolito Cindy Murphy Penny Carson Nancy Noble Sofia Yalouris John Doughty Kate McBrien Kate McBrien Robert Kemp Nancy Cline David Lakari Bob Greene Peter Merrill Patrick Ford ADMINISTRATION Tilly Laskey Tiffany Link John Babin Dani Fazio Lisa Santilli Katie Allen Eric Baxter Jamie Rice Jan Eakins Carl L. Chatto, Treasurer Carl L.Chatto,Treasurer Tyler Judkins,Secretary Preston R.Miller,Chair EDUCATION OFFICERS TRUSTEES MUSEUM LIBRARY STAFF Visitor ServicesManager Education/Interpretive ProgramsManager Outreach Coordinator Image ServicesCoordinator Director ofDigitalEngagement Retail Associate Museum StoreManager Chief Curator Assistant ProjectArchivist Project Archivist Reference Librarian Collections Manager&Registrar Archivist &Cataloger Reference Historian Curator ofLibraryCollections Director ofLibraryServices Creative Manager Creative Manager Communications Manager Donor RelationsManager Membership Manager Director ofInstitutionalAdvancement Business Manager Executive Director Charles D.Whittier Lee Webb Andy Verzosa Jotham A.Trafton Meredith StrangBurgess Alan B.Stearns Charles V.Stanhope Kathryn SchneiderSmith Lendall Smith Eileen Skinner Tobey Scott Betsy Pelikan Theodore L.Oldham On behalfoftheMHSBoardTrusteesandstaff,thankyouforyourinterestsupport. responsive totheneedsofourstatewidecommunity. development ofourfacilitiesandcampusonCongressStreet; andensuringthatMHSis Bicentennials ofMainestatehood(2020)andourowninstitution (2022);thecontinued MHS ispoisedfortheexcitingworkaheadofus.Wearefocused ontheupcoming and supportingMaineMemory’s270contributingpartnersacrossMaine. goals ofourNationalLeadershipGrantfromtheInstituteMuseum&LibraryServices, staff willnowhavecentralrolesinnurturingitsdevelopment.Wearekeenlyfocusedonthe become anessentialplatformforallaspectsofMHS’swork;library,museum,andeducation gram areas,includingResearch&ScholarshipandPublicEngagement.MaineMemoryhas and outreach.MaineMemoryNetworkhasbeenfullyintegratedintoMHS’scorepro- robust developmentofourexhibitions,publicprograms,K-12education,lifelonglearning, consolidated underanew“PublicEngagement”divisionresponsiblefortheintegrationand ensure thefocus,alignment,effectiveness,andefficiencyofouractivities.Educationhasbeen senior leadershipteamandstaff.Thisfall,aspartoftheseefforts,wereconfiguredstaffto strengthened ourfinancialsystems,and,perhapsmostimportantly,developedaremarkable shifting profoundly,andMHSmustevolvewithit.Weupdatedourgovernancestructure, This hasalsobeenaperiodofchangeatMHS.Theworldthatnonprofitsoperateinis provide contextandasafeplacetodiscussdifficultissues. to includemorevoicesandperspectives,thatbothcelebratechallenge,haveMHS how thoserelatetosovereignty,economics,andsocialjustice.Wesawthisasanopportunity focused onexploringthedeeptraditionsthatcontemporaryWabanakiartistsfollow,and Laskey, andfeaturedsubstantialcollaborationwithpartnersintheWabanakicommunity, of Wabanakipeoples.Theexhibition,whichwasco-curatedbyTheresaSecordandTilly staff weremotivatedbynewscoverageofaserieslegacyissuesrelatedtoMaine’streatment use itsresourcestomakehistoryrelevantandmeaningfulcontemporaryMainers.MHS work: howMHScan“beuseful”(toquoteannualmeetingspeakerEllsworthBrown)and The BasketsfromtheDawnlandexhibitdemonstratesprinciplesandspiritthatdriveour bilities thateachofusshareasMainersandAmericancitizens. Magna Cartainthecontextofherownlife,visionforlawschool,andresponsi- the newdeanofUniversityMaineSchoolLaw,gavearemarkabletalkthatplaced work thatremainstobedoneachievethem.Aspartofourinitiative,DanielleConway, The exhibitionprovidedanopportunitytoreflectbothonourfoundingprinciples,andthe This summerwehostedtheMagnaCartaexhibitioninLibrary’s2ndfloorreadingroom. Executive Steve Director Bromage months thatsuggestthekindoforganizationwestrivetobe. the institution.We’veseenwonderfulexamplesofthatoverpastsix test theideas,activities,andprogramsthatwillguidedevelopmentof forts totreatMHSasa“laboratory”throughwhichwedevelop,pilot,and initiatives, andbychange.Youhaveheardmetalkaboutourongoingef- It’s beenabusyseasonatMHS,onemarkedbyimportantprogrammatic Dear MHSMembersandFriends Patty Allisonfor theexhibition 1895. MHSCollection image,colorized by artist Detail ofRossandButlerstore, Springvale,ca. ABOUT THECOVER:

Imbued with Hues. with Imbued MHS MUSEUM 3 ^ Poet Mihku Paul interviews in the Longfellow Garden to promote Dawnland Voices. A Look Back at Baskets Back at Baskets A Look from the Dawnland MHS’s the end of November, Coming to a close at exhibition and related Baskets from the Dawnland facilitate conversations programing aimed to non-Native people in Maine. between Native and reacted and participants in the programs Visitors complicated topics including to and engaged with colonialism, racism, and social justice. sovereignty, an interactive board where The exhibition featured visitors could leave comments regarding questions that curators Theresa Secord, an award-winning basketmaker (Penobscot), and Laskey, Tilly Outreach Curator at Maine Historical changed every Society, two weeks. The topics were wide-ranging, from, Are Wabanaki baskets art or craft? (“I feel they are both and more, ancestor, self, tribe, spirit and gift,” the Creator’s wrote Dale Two Feathers) to Do you see a relationship between baskets and sovereignty? (“The traditions, skills and way of life were here long before us—as was their nation. And we took it away,” replied another visitor). further the dialog, MHS hosted six Wabanaki To , a recently writers who read from Dawnland Voices we screened Additionally, published anthology. “First Light,” a film that documents the work of Truth and Reconciliation first the nation’s Commission, which was held in Maine. The film’s Adam Mazo, led a discussion about how director, rather than a to be an “upstander” in history, bystander. look forward to continuing these conversations We and engaging in further dialog throughout future programs at MHS. Chief Curator Kate McBrien

the new collections management facility. The Collections Move Project team has been hard at work since, setting shelving into place, new unpacking objects, assigning and recording storage locations, and uniting similar objects more to do, but the There is still much together. project has already greatly improved storage conditions for the MHS collections, while at the same time freeing up valuable space at our Congress Street campus.

Collections in their

> spacious new home at our offsite facility on Riverside Drive.

^ MHS collections at 489 Congress in a storage room adjacent to exhibitions. MUSEUM & COLLECTIONS & MUSEUM

furniture collection, boxed art, trunks, boxes, ship models, and other large objects to furniture collection, boxed art, trunks, boxes, in November resulted in three more empty storage areas, relocating much of MHS’s storage areas, relocating much of MHS’s in November resulted in three more empty but the move was a great success, resulting in beautifully empty spaces. A second day but the move was a great success, resulting museum and library material out of the basement of the museum. It was a long day, of the museum. It was a long day, museum and library material out of the basement ing Services team arrived at MHS with four large trucks to move the first batch of ing Services team arrived at MHS with four fragile and sensitive material. In early October, eight members of the PRO Mov- fragile and sensitive material. In early October, collections to the new facility. This is a Maine-owned company specializing in moving collections to the new facility. MHS contracted with PRO Moving Services from Waterville to physically move the from Waterville MHS contracted with PRO Moving Services new space. packed, and recorded each object, all while developing a plan for how to set up the packed, and recorded each object, all while collections storage areas on the downtown Portland campus, we cleaned, stabilized, collections storage areas on the downtown team devised a method to move everything in batches. Methodically working through team devised a method to move everything get there. In order to maintain the best intellectual control over the collections, the maintain the best intellectual control over get there. In order to campus. We created a detailed plan for where everything would go, and how it would for where everything would go, and how created a detailed plan campus. We new off-site storage and collections management facility, and which needed to stay on collections management facility, new off-site storage and in both the MHS library and museum, planning which items needed to move to our and museum, planning which items needed in both the MHS library From May through September, the Collections Move Project team assessed collections the Collections From May through September, few months, and the success is visible. few months, and the changing. The Collections Move Project at MHS has made great progress in the past Move Project at MHS has made great changing. The Collections closet, and hidden room in the museum once contained collections objects—but this is in the museum once contained collections closet, and hidden room space with collections, and Maine Historical Society is no exception. Every hallway, Every hallway, and Maine Historical Society is no exception. space with collections, A rare view in any museum is an empty room. Most museums quickly fill all available is an empty room. Most museums A rare view in any museum Collections Move Project Update Project Move Collections 4 4 MHS COLLECTIONS The CobbBrothersinWorldWarI Herbert is standingdirectly behindhim(circled onthephotograph). William isinthe first row,fromtheleft,with drum. mances, emergingmilitarytechnology,andlivingconditions. His lettersdescribehisexperiencesinthetrenches,bandperfor- He wasamemberofthe103rdU.S.InfantryBand26thDivision. William B.Cobb(1897-1982)arrivedinFranceOctober1917. America’s militarytrainingcamps. cost ofwar.Sumner’sofferimportantdetailsaboutlifeintwo conditions. Herbert’slettersserveasareminderofthehuman soldier—frequent tripstothetrenches,andharshliving William’s representtheexperiencesofaverageAmerican Each brother’slettersillustrateadifferentaspectofthewar. Cobb ofPortlandduringtheirserviceintheFirstWorldWar. the correspondenceofbrothersWilliam,Herbert,andSumner The CobbBrothersWorldWarIcollection(Coll.2824)contains > UniversityofMaine CadetBandwithWilliamand HerbertCobb. ^ HerbertG.Cobb’s graveinFrance. Cobb standingontheleft. School. Uponcompleting enrolled inSpecialists in February1918,he After beingcommissioned ficer CandidateSchool. selected toattendOf- William, butwassoon with hisyoungerbrother 1918) arrivedinFrance Herbert G.Cobb(1895- until January1919. notified ofHerbert’sdeath write. Thefamilywasnot was probablytoobusyto worry becauseHerbert tell hismothernotto Often Williamwould not heardfromHerbert. he andhisfamilyhad frequently mentionedthat After thearmisticehe

the programhewasas- signed tothe61stU.S. Infantry. Afterabrief time inthetrenches, Herbert attended Signal Schoolfrom ^ Top:WilliamB. July untilAugust. In hislastletter home (October 8, 1918),writ- ten fromanold dugout aftera long march, Winter 2016newsletter. the centennialofWorldWarIin Stay tunedforacommemorationof MHS Volunteer therefore itispossibletoreadeveryletter. legible andthecollectionisrelativelysmall, I. Itisalsoworthnotingthatthelettersare source foranyoneinterestedinWorldWar daughter, thiscollectionisawonderfulre- Compiled byCarolineCobb,William’s family—two childrenIthink.” dandy fellow—wasmarriedandhadalittle camp whodiedfromtheflu,“Hewasa October, Sumnerwroteaboutasoldierat frequently wroteabout.Inaletterfrom the threatofSpanishflu,somethinghe of warlikehisbrothers,Sumnerdidface tucky. Althoughhedidnotfacetheperils Camp TaylorjustoutsideLouisville,Ken- September 1918Sumnerwastransferredto living conditions,andhisfellowsoldiers.In about hisexperiences,includingtraining, setts inJune1918.Hewrotealmostdaily he arrivedatCampDevensinMassachu- at TaborAcademywhenhewasdrafted, serve overseasduringthewar.Ateacher (1895-1979), Herbert’stwin,didnot Unlike hisbrothers,SumnerC.Cobb near thefrontwasdirectlyhitbyashell. 1918 whentheshackhewassleepingin death, HerbertwaskilledonOctober14, soldiers servingwithhimatthetimeofhis glad toseepeacedeclared.”According Herbert wrote,“Iforonewillsurelybe Tessa Surette ^ Toprightportrait October 14,1918. Infantry. Hewaskilledon member ofthe61stU.S. G. Cobb(1895-1918)wasa ^ Lowerrightportrait:Herbert Infantry Band26thDivision. member ofthe103rdU.S. Cobb (1897-1982)wasa : William B. MAINE HISTORY MAKER Annual Maine History Maker Award

Each year Maine Historical Society recognizes contemporary citizens who are shaping life in Maine today through the Maine History Maker Award. On September 28 at the University of Southern Maine in Portland we honored the Mills Family: Dora, Janet, Paul, and Peter. Following the awards ceremony, MHS Executive Director Steve Bromage joined the siblings onstage to discuss Maine’s political and cultural land- scape. An excerpt is printed below—listen to the entire discussion online at www.mainehistory.org/podcasts. Steve Bromage and the Mills family, left to right: Dora, Paul, Janet and Peter Steve Bromage: Talk to us a little bit about what Maine means to each of you and your family. I think one of the things that really defines our more poverty in the north and affluence in the south, but two of our state is that special sense of place. lowest property-tax-based communities are in the south, and some of the more wealthier ones are further up in the north. And there’s certainly a Janet Mills: A week ago Friday was a warm day. It was going to be sense of identity that we have here in Maine that I don’t think people have 80 degrees. I thought about going to the office. I thought about coming in many other places. And all of us have managed to be in many different to Portland and appearing with Hillary Clinton. Then my friend said, “I parts in the world, but we come back here. rented a cabin on a lake—do you want to go fishing?” I’m there! [laughter and applause] The people here have a good work ethic, and we have a Peter Mills: Our politics is unique. We’re a very transparent legislature. great play ethic. There’s so much Everybody gets to put a bill in, anybody can amend a bill, you can speak you can do. The quality of place as long as you want to on the floor… and some do. [laughter] There are that we offer is like none other. very few constraints except those that we impose on ourselves. The legis- lative staff is all nonpartisan, and all the committees are joint. I think only Dora Mills: I agree. A sense of two or three states have that. place, and also a sense of people. No matter where you go in Maine Paul Mills: Three states. [laughter] you see friends, you see family. Even if you don’t know them, you Peter Mills: Maine, Vermont, and one other. feel at home with them. Paul Mills: Connecticut. Paul Mills: We have a very recurring lyric and it’s “the two Maines.” I think we all agree that might be an oversimplified perception. What I like Dora Mills: Now you know what Thanksgiving is like. [laughter] One about Maine is the vast diversity of the state, and how there really is a time I made a joke at a Thanksgiving dinner that Paul is the only person I lot of interconnection between the northern and southern parts. Percival knew who might be able to name all the Vice Presidents. He proceeded to Baxter couldn’t have been a more Portland-based person, but nevertheless do so in reverse chronological order. [laughter] He has a long memory, so benefactor of the park in a more remote area. It’s sometimes felt there’s be careful what you say in front of him.

2016 MHS TRIP Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies: Luxury Meets Wilderness September 27-October 6, 2016 In partnership with the New Hampshire Historical Society and led by Trustee Eric Baxter, the Fall 2016 trip will take you west to enjoy all the splendors the Cana- dian Rockies have to offer. From Vancouver to Banff and Lake Louise and finally Calgary, this 10-day trip combines striking natural beauty with intimate views of cosmopolitan Canadian cities and explorations of local culture and history.

For more information, visit www.mainehistory.org/trips

5 mbued with ues IPatty Allison has a colorful approach to historical interpretation.H The Portland-based artist meticulously renders black and white images in brilliant, rich color, bringing old photographs to life with breathtaking realism.

An exhibition of her artwork is on view at Maine Historical Society through February 27, 2016. Patty was kind enough to take a few minutes away from preparing for the show to tell us about her inspiration and process: ^ Arthur Walden and Sled Dog Chinook, Portland, 1922 When did you start making these images? What does the finished work symbolize to you? I started colorizing in April of 2013. I had to teach myself how to use Photoshop. I usually do at least one colorization a day. When I finish a photo it’s like going back in time, and I want that photo to look perfect because I’m colorizing someone or some- thing. I would want the person in the photo to look at it and say, “yes, that’s how it looked!”

That did happen to me recently. I colorized a photo of a homecoming parade in Florida in 1960. Somehow, one of the people in the photo found their way to my Facebook page and saw the photo! She was so excited, and said I got all the colors right.

What’s the most exciting part about your collaboration with MHS?

The awesome thing about collaborating with MHS is that I’ve been able to colorize photos that I’ve never seen before. And Maine has so much history—it is so exciting to be able to do these.

^ Cushman’s Bakery, Portland, ca. 1940 PROGRAMS What was your inspiration to get started?

My older sister had some photos, and I thought they would look great in color, so that’s when I started to do this. I love history, and this is a great way to study history and learn all about it because I have to research every picture I do.

How do you choose images? What method and tools do you use?

Most of my colorizations revolve around people doing everyday things. My favorite photos are of city streets and cars—people are incidental in my photos. I like to choose photos that are crystal-clear. Also, ones that have good lighting, which I can tell by the shadows cast in the photo. I tend to stay away from photos without shadows because that means they’re too bright. ^ Porteous, Mitchell & Braun Department Store at the holidays, Portland, ca. 1912

When I start on a photo I start with the subject, which could be a car, or a building, or people. Then I usually work from left to right. When Our statewide digital museum now has its own Facebook Group! I first started colorizing I used a laptop and a mouse, but now I’ve Search within Facebook for “Maine Memory Network” and click “Join” – upgraded to an iMac and a tablet with a stylus. as soon as you’re added to the group, you can post comments on items we share, and add your own historic photos and memories of Maine. 6 SPOTLIGHT ON MAINE MEMORY NETWORK CONTRIBUTING CONTRIBUTING PARTNER PARTNER, MCARTHUR LIBRARY Our Kind of Summer People

Biddeford was blessed with beautiful coastal home addresses; Summit Avenue in St. Paul, lands that include picturesque beaches, protect- Lindell Boulevard in St. Louis, the Gold Coast ed harbors, and famously good bird watching. in Chicago. As Maine developed into a haven for weary urbanites looking for a peaceful retreat during Our Midwestern visitors had genuine the summer season the areas known today as affection for the area. It’s hardly news that Biddeford Pool and Fortune’s Rocks claimed folks on vacation or attending a wedding their own stake of that development. A large would appear to be having a good time in their number of our pioneering summer residents of photographs, but when you view the images the 19th and early 20th centuries hailed from along with the recorded reminiscences of the the Midwestern United States. summer people themselves (such as Howard Gillette Jr.’s captivating narrative in Margo The “Pool” was the first section of Biddeford Alley’s Biddeford Pool: A Founding settled by Europeans. Throughout the 17th, History), there is no doubt. It is plain that 18th and 19th centuries a small population this was a special place in which cherished of hardy sailors, ship builders, fishermen, and family memories were made—a place where farmers called the area home. Families such they could be relaxed and at ease, away as Curtis, Haley, Jordan, Goldthwaite, and from the pressures and stresses of regular Hussey raised generations along the society life. waterfront. Renée DesRoberts Seasonal residents began coming to Fortune’s Special Collections Librarian, Rocks in the 1870s, and to Biddeford Pool as McArthur Library, Biddeford early as 1833. Some of the first visitors hailed from St. Louis, and really it is no wonder. St. Louis was the “gateway to the West”, a place where fortunes were made. By 1910, St. Louis Top: Howard Gillette and son was the fourth largest city in the U.S.—and Howard Jr. (Chicago) at Biddeford as likely a place as New York or Boston to Pool, circa 1915. be home to wealthy families looking for the Middle: “Mrs. Foster” and artist perfect place to spend the summer season. A Aston Knight at the Casino, circa quick look through census records shows that 1915. more than one of the Midwesterners coming to the Pool and Fortune’s Rocks truly were Bottom: St. Louis society wedding at Biddeford Pool: Lindsay-McNair the elite, considering the exclusivity of their wedding, September 9, 1916.

FOUNDED: The Biddeford Public Library was opened In those early days, Yorke accepted materials pertaining to VISITING: The library prides itself on making its archives in October 1863 as a city department and was housed in much of northern York County. Today, the primary focus of and special collections materials available for access at any a room of the City Building. At the end of 1894 the building the library is caring for and providing access to materials per- time the library is open. All of its Adult Reference Staff are was consumed by fire, and the city, while continuing financial taining to the history of Biddeford, as well as the neighboring trained and prepared to to assist the public in locating and support, handed over administration of the library to a private communities of Saco and Old Orchard Beach. The current accessing materials. If you have a very brief window to visit, association. Over the next several years, the Biddeford collections include books, photographs, negatives, postcards, you may benefit from contacting the library ahead of time so Library and Reading Room Association worked to determine personal papers, business records, newspapers, artwork, and that preparations can be made ahead of time for your visit. a better home for the library. In 1902 the library re-opened a a very small number of artifacts. block up Main Street, in the former Pavilion Congregational HOURS: Church – a beautiful, spacious Romanesque Revival building FACILITIES: The library’s main building, the old Pavilion Monday - Thursday, 9:30am - 8:00pm designed by John Calvin Stevens of Boston, and also built in Congregational Church, was built in 1863 and remodeled Friday, 9:30am - 5:00pm 1863. When it re-opened in its new building, the Biddeford in 1902. Additions were built in the 1960s and 1990s, and Saturday, 9:30am - 3:30pm Public Library was re-dedicated as the McArthur Library to the library underwent its most recent renovation in 2010. The library is climate-controlled and fully accessible. The archives honor Robert McArthur of Biddeford, the man who helped CONTACT: and special collections materials are located on the second spearhead the project. McArthur Library floor of the library, adjacent to the Adult Reference Desk and 270 Main Street, Biddeford, Maine 04005 co-housed with the genealogy reference materials. Available COLLECTIONS: McArthur Library has actively collected 207-284-4181 / [email protected] special and archival materials since the hiring of librarian services include photocopying, scanning, and Wi-Fi. Dane Yorke, an accomplished historian and writer, in 1939. ALL IMAGES FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF MCARTHUR LIBRARY 7 8 8 ELIZABETH MARGOLIS-PINEO NEWSLETTER DESIGN: HOLLY HURD-FORSYTH COPY EDITOR: DAN D’IPPOLITO MANAGING EDITOR: www.hwlongfellow.org www.vintagemaineimages.com www.mainememory.net www.mainehistory.org WEBSITES: Portland, ME04101 489 CongressSt. Maine HistoricalSociety Mailing Address: E-mail: [email protected] Fax: (207)775-4301 Tel: (207)774-1822 Mon-Fri, 9:00am-5:00pm MHS ADMINISTRATIVEOFFICES Tue-Sat, 10:00am-5:00pm Nov 1–Apr30 Sun: 12:00pm-5:00pm Thu: 10:00am-7:00pm Mon, Tue,Wed,Fri,Sat:10:00am-5:00pm Jun 1–Oct31 MUSEUM ANDSHOP from10:00am-5:00pm Garden opentothepublicduringseason Sun: Firsttour12:00pm(last4:00pm) Mon-Sat: Firsttour10:30am(last4:00pm) onthehour May 1–Oct31:Opentopublic,housetours LONGFELLOW HOUSEANDGARDEN and thelasttwoweeksofyear Closed holidaysandsomeholidayweekends, Nov 1–Apr30:Wed-Sat,10:00am-4:00pm May 1–Oct31:Tue-Sat,10:00am-4:00pm BROWN RESEARCHLIBRARY Call aheadforholidayhours VISIT MHS F T 489 Portland, Maine

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