Preserving History • Engaging Minds • Connecting Maine MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY SUMMER 2017 2 2 MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Kathleen Neumann Kathleen Amoroso Holly Hurd-Forsyth RESEARCH &SCHOLARSHIP Stephen Bromage Patrick T.Jackson MAINE HISTORICALSOCIETY William D.Barry Nicholas Noyes Joyce Mongeau Kathryn SchneiderSmith,Secretary Sandi Goolden DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT Melissa Spoerl Nan Cumming Thomas Cattell Kate Raymond Dan D’Ippolito Cindy Murphy Tyler Judkins,2ndVicePresident PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Karen Pelletier Jean Gulliver,1stVicePresident Penny Carson Eleanor Ames Nancy Noble Sofia Yalouris Rusty Atwood Atwood Rusty Kate McBrien John Doughty Robert Kemp Peter Merrill PeterMerrill Nancy Cline Steve Landry Steve Landry INCORPORATED 1822 Bob Greene Patrick Ford Tilly Laskey John Babin Tiffany Link Dani Fazio Isabel Turk Jamie Rice Jan Eakins Carl L. Chatto, Treasurer Carl L.Chatto,Treasurer Joseph E.Gray,Chair ADMINISTRATION OFFICERS TRUSTEES

Retail Associate Museum StoreManager Visitor ServicesManager Education/Interpretive ProgramsManager Outreach Curator Chief Curator Image ServicesCoordinator Director ofDigitalEngagement Library Assistant Project Archivist Research Librarian Collections Manager&Registrar Archivist &Cataloger Research Historian Curator ofLibraryCollections Director ofLibraryServices Charles D.Whittier Lee D.Webb Andy Verzosa Meredith StrangBurgess Charles V.Stanhope Kathryn SchneiderSmith Chris Smith Eileen Skinner Theresa Secord Tobey Scott Theodore L.Oldham Advancement Assistant Creative Manager Communications Manager Donor RelationsManager Director ofInstitutionalAdvancement Facilities Manager Director ofFinance Business Manager Executive Director Laura FecychSprague Historical Society. Collections ofMaine E. Hodgkins. banner byJoseph 1841 blacksmith ABOUT THECOVER:

We lookforwardtohearingfromyouandseeingatMHS! collections. the NationalEndowmentforHumanities—allowing sustainablepreservationofMHS with asolarpanelinstallationatouroffsitecollectionsmanagement facility—fundedinpartby explore Portlandandenjoyhistory.Finally,MHSisproudtobeonthebrightsideofhistory In otherbignews,the3rdannualMagicalHistoryTourbroughtover800peopletogetherto munity. foundation donors.ThisexhibitioncelebratesthatstoryandMaine’swonderfulculturalcom of Art,andColbyCollegeMuseumArtaswellanumberindividual,corporate, Museum, theMaineStateHistorian,BatesCollegeMuseumofArt,Bowdoin Historical Society,includedPortlandMuseumofArt,MaineStateMuseum,Maritime unprecedented collaborationtosavetheseremarkablebanners.Theheroiceffort,ledbyMaine You’ll recallthatinAugust2010,16Mainemuseumsandtheirsupporterscametogetheran Maine economyasweknowittoday. members’ variousskillsandtrades—andexploringthecreativityingenuitythatcreated banners—originally marchedthroughthestreetsofdowntownPortlandinsupportfortheir exhibition featuringMHS’sbeautiful1841MaineCharitableMechanicAssociationtrade Also onviewatMHSisCreativeMaine:TradeBannersandtheCraftsThatBuiltMaine industry, andasks,what’snextforMaine’seconomy? Making Paper,MainerecognizesthehistorictransitiontakingplaceinMaine’spaper livelihood, identity,andsenseofconnectiontopeoplecommunitiesthroughoutthestate. In additiontoshapingMaine’seconomyfornearlyacentury,thepaperindustryprovided by anddrawnfromMyMaineStoriescontributions. The recently-openedMakingPaper,MaineisthesecondexhibitionatMHSinspired have aconnectiontoMaine,anddiversifiestheperspectivesdocumentedinMainehistory. local MaineMemorypartners.MyStoriesgivesvoicetotheexperiencesofallpeoplewho own words,inthecomfortoftheirhomesorthroughprogramswewillbeofferingwithour 7 –CONTRIBUTING PARTNER: Westport IslandHistory Committee 6 –PROGRAMS: MagicalHistoryTour 5 –SPECIALPROJECTS: SustainablePreservation 4 –MHSMUSEUM:Making Paper, MakingMaine 3 –MHSMUSEUM:Creative Maine TABLE OFCONTENTS Network forthefirsttime.Anyone,anywhere,cansharetheirstory,in Library Services,individualsarenowabletocontributeMaineMemory Through aNationalLeadershipGrantfromtheInstituteofMuseumand people. participatory storytellingportalforsharingthepersonalstoriesofMaine In January,MaineHistoricalSocietylaunchedMyStories,thefirst EVERYONE HASASTORYTOTELL…WHAT’SYOURS? Executive Director Steve Bromage , an - MHS MUSEUM 3 Get Social Connect with us on Facebook (Maine Historical Society) or and Instagram (@mainehistory) for regular doses of Twitter history and news! Use #MaineHistory whenever you’re sharing be sure to sign up already, related content. And if you haven’t for the MHS e-Connection, a weekly update from Maine Historical Society to your inbox: mainehistory.org/econnection. In 1841, Maine Charitable Mechanic Association (MCMA) members marched through the streets streets the through marched members (MCMA) Association Mechanic Charitable Maine 1841, In their and promote their skills to advertise banners colored brightly carrying Portland of downtown wage in the a living to earn struggling craftspeople for the rally support as well as trades, individual economy. changing that explores is a new exhibition That Built Maine and the Crafts Banners Trade Creative Maine: historic it today using these economy as we know created the Maine and ingenuity that the creativity who led of the individuals share the stories of MCMA. The exhibition by members banners produced Each industries for Maine. created successful their trades, and who were skilled in the organization, account of a craftsperson, and a banner is on display alongside both a historical exquisitely-preserved of that same trade as it exists today. contemporary example 13, 2018. Society June 22 through January Creative Maine is on view at Maine Historical Maine Historical Society is proud to be a Blue Star Museum that offers free admission to military personnel and their fami- lies. Blue Star Museums is a can be found online at arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums. Star Families, and the Department of Defense. More information collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue On the Bright Side of History

A $300,000 grant by the National Endowment for the Humani- ties (NEH)—and additional assistance from Jane’s Trust and Horizon Foundation—made possible the installation of a solar energy system at Maine Historical Society’s offsite collections management facility. This state-of-the-art edifice is home to many incomparable collections, including materials from Bangor Theological Seminary, Central Maine Power, and Great Northern Paper.

Specifically designed to help museums and libraries operate more sustainably, the grant is part of $36.6 million given out by NEH to support 212 humanities projects administered by institutions and independent scholars across 42 states—MHS is one of just three Maine organizations awarded funding. This is the first time the NEH has funded a solar project designed to support the long- term preservation of historical materials.

Installed in April by ReVision Energy, the 126kw solar installa- When Hugh Chisholm opened the Otis Falls Pulp Company in Jay in 1888, tion generates enough electricity to cover the needs of climate- the mill was one of the most modern paper making facilities in the country, control—an energy-intensive necessity for the long-term preser- and was connected to national and global markets. For the next century, vation of art, artifacts, manuscripts and other materials—as well Maine was an international leader in the manufacture of pulp and paper. sufficient power to subsidize usage at MHS’s Congress Street Paper has shaped Maine’s economy, molded individual and community campus. Furthermore, the facility allows for the freeing of nearly identities, and impacted the environment throughout the state. 18,000 square feet of space at the campus, and increases MHS’s ability to engage and serve the people of Portland and communi- Through first-person accounts, photographs, schematics, and period arti- ties throughout Maine with expanded programs, services, and facts the exhibition Making Paper, Making Maine explores the extraordinary outreach. scale and scope of the paper industry in the Pine Tree State. Recognizing the Visit solar.mainehistory.org to view the facility’s real-time solar historic transition taking place, the exhibition asks, what’s next for Maine’s energy production. economy?

Making Paper, Making Maine is on view at Maine Historical Society June 2 through October 28, 2017.

MHS is actively preserving the stories of the people and communities who have driven the paper industry via My Maine Stories, a participatory storytelling forum that provides an online space for sharing your recollec- tions about Maine. Stories can include experiences in Maine; memories Zach Good of ReVision Energy guides a forklift lifting solar of family, ancestors, or town; work life; or impacts of a historical Maine panels onto the roof of MHS’s offsite collections management event. mainememory.net/mymainestories facility in Portland. MHS MUSEUM

Jack Doherty of ReVision Energy carries a new panel across Mike Luciano talks about his 41 years working and living in a Maine the roof. 4 paper making community. A Room of

His Own SPECIAL PROJECTS

Do you have a special place in your home where you go to be alone and work on something important? When Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s father used the family sitting room as his office, the small adjoining space was a waiting room for his clients. As a child, Henry enjoyed sitting here to write, until his father moved his office out of the house and Henry’s mother turned this room into a china closet.

When this happened, in 1829, in a letter to his sister Henry lamented, “…no soft poetic ray has irradiated my heart since Lady Pepperell Mill, Biddeford. Collections of Maine Historical Society. the Goths and Vandals crossed the Rubicon of the front entry, and turned the sanctum Driving Innovation in Maine sanctorum of the little room into a china closet.” (As Henry was 22 when he wrote At one time, Biddeford was home to the largest textile manufacturing facil- ity in the United States. With its neighboring Saco community, Biddeford/Saco these words, we can assume this dramatic was considered the heart of the York County Region. Its extensive mill network prose was in jest.) hummed with activity, weaving together the lives and livelihoods of numerous individuals. While technology constantly shifted the industrial landscape, the fab- ric of the community remained based on pride in craftsmanship, a strong work ethic, and innovation in production.

MHS is collaborating with the recently-formed Biddeford Mills Museum to create a pilot exhibition in the mill exploring Maine’s industrial heritage and evolving economy. The exhibit will serve as an introduction to the Pepperell Mill campus and the community of Biddeford itself, focusing on the contribution of the mill and its workers to creating the city of Biddeford as it stands today.

Biddeford/Saco: Driving Innovation in Maine is expected to open in September, 2017.

Pepperell Mills weavers, Biddeford, ca. 1925. Collections of McArthur Public Library.

Today, we’ve made the china closet a writing space again. Visitors to the Wadsworth-Longfellow House can sit and write a poem or a note and leave it behind for others to enjoy.

Go to mainehistory.org/visit and plan a trip to Henry’s house today!

5 6 6 PROGRAMS Listen Up! Listen visit mainehistory.org/beergarden. For moreinfoandalistofupcoming BeerintheGardenprograms, (October 17),andTraditionalToys&Games(November21). (August 15),HistoricFirearms(September19),PastMedicinal Practices summer andfallisFoundingFathers(July18),BotanicalHistory see someveryspecialartifactsfromourcollections!Comingup this opportunity toenjoyourhistoricgardenintheevening,andachance to Every thirdTuesdayweinviteyoutojoinusforbeerandsnacks, arare Clock Tower. People’s Choicesitefromthepast two years,theCityHall the StateTheatre,Waynflete School,andthewinnerofour Gym /ForkFoodLab,AliceLongfellow’s 1913RollsRoyce, Maine /Thompson’s Point,CrossJewelers,ForestCityBoxing Temperature Building,ChurchoftheSacredHeart,Circus Legion AndrewsPost17,ChapmanNationalBank/Time & unlocked thehistoryof10secretsitesinPortland:American The 3rdannualMagicalHistoryTour onSaturday, May13 Magical Day in History people in achangingworld. available online atmainehistory.org/podcasts. Tune inand explorethediverseexperiences ofMaine Audio recordings ofpubliclectures,programs, andothereventsatMaineHistorical Societyare f HistoryfansofallagesenjoyAliceLongfellow’s1913RollsRoyce. mainehistory.wordpress.com. historical informationforeachsiteisavailableontheMHSBlog: If youweren’t abletojoinusordidn’t gettovisitallofthelocations,full ChapmanNationalBanklobby. $ TheviewoverlookingMonumentSquarefrominsidetheold # Atour-goerinspectstheclockgearsatopCityHall’stower. CONTRIBUTING PARTNER 7 ALL IMAGES FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF WESTPORT ALL IMAGES FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF WESTPORT ISLAND HISTORY COMMITTEE. TO SEE MORE, VISIT MAINEMEMORY.NET AND SEARCH FOR WESTPORT ISLAND. Top: Causeway “Dedication parade,” Westport Island, 1950. Middle: Vera Cleaves with her grandfather, Westport Island, 1922. Below: Cornelius Tarbox House entryway, Westport Island, ca. 1858. - - Gaye Wagner & Mary Coventry Gaye Wagner Island History Committee Co-Chairs,Westport Westport Island History Committee Town of Westport Island 6 Fowles Point Road Westport Island, ME 04578 207-882-8477 ext. 3 [email protected]

House have been published on Maine Memory Network. an exhibit on the maritime-themed murals in the Cornelius Tarbox, Jr. Jr. an exhibit on the maritime-themed murals in the Cornelius Tarbox, box family, some of the first residents of Westport Island. Most recently, Westport Island. Most recently, some of the first residents of box family, Committee has done extensive research and documentation of the Tar Making Paper, Making Maine exhibition. The Making Paper, are featured in MHS’s logging operation for Pejepscot Paper Company on MacMahan Island entries. Photographs from Edwin Cromwell’s the first My Maine Stories entries. Photographs from Edwin Cromwell’s exhibition and was one of Voices Veterans’ 2017) was featured in MHS’s Westport Island resident and World War II veteran Vera Cleaves (1914- II veteran Vera War Island resident and World Westport Maine Historical Society on several exhibition projects. The story of Maine Historical Society on several exhibition The Westport Island History Committee has actively collaborated with The Westport affected everyday life. off the Island—boat, bridge, causeway, ferry, and car—and how that ferry, off the Island—boat, bridge, causeway, Other resources include accounts for more than 70 cemeteries, informa Other resources include accounts for more that people traveled on and records provide a view of the evolving ways meetings and other town business. own town. The tax of Edgecomb and incorporated as its from the Town government records, such as vital records, and proceedings of town government records, such as vital records, formerly Jeremysquam, separated dating back to 1828, when Westport, six—were discontinued; materials related to the Grange; and town six—were discontinued; materials related tax valuation records tion on historic structures, and nearly complete 1800’s to 1889 when the school districts—which at one time numbered to 1889 1800’s books used on the Island, school record books dating from the early books used on the Island, school record books records from the 1800s to the present day. These include quilts, school- records from the 1800s to the present day. The town’s historical collections encompass photographs and archival The town’s uploaded over 100 items and one exhibit to MMN. uploaded over 100 items and one exhibit participated in Maine Memory Network (MMN) since 2014 and have participated in Maine Memory Network and promotion of the Island’s history and cultural heritage. They have history Island’s and promotion of the the Town of Westport Island dedicated to the pursuit, preservation, Island dedicated of Westport the Town The Westport Island History Committee is an official committee of Island History Committee The Westport WESTPORT ISLAND HISTORY COMMITTEE HISTORY ISLAND WESTPORT NETWORK CONTRIBUTING PARTNER, PARTNER, CONTRIBUTING NETWORK SPOTLIGHT ON MAINE MEMORY MEMORY MAINE ON SPOTLIGHT I

sland W estport estport A tour-goer inspects the clock gears atop City Hall’s tower. A tour-goer inspects the The view overlooking Monument Square from inside the old $ The view overlooking Monument lobby. Chapman National Bank # 8 8 ELIZABETH MARGOLIS-PINEO NEWSLETTER DESIGN: HOLLY HURD-FORSYTH DAN D’IPPOLITO EDITORS: 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 Mon-Sat: 10:00am-5:00pm Jun 1–Oct31 MUSEUM ANDSHOP from10:00am-5:00pm Garden opentothepublicduringseason Call fortourtimes Jun-Oct: Mon-Sat,10:00am-5:00pm May: Mon-Sun,12:00pm-5:00pm May 1–Oct31:Opentopublic 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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MHS MEMBERS RECEIVE10% OFFINOUR STOREANDONLINE ATVINTAGEMAINEIMAGES.COM tions abouttechnology’s influence,affirming that paperisheretostay. contributions made inAsiaandtheMiddleEast, MarkKurlanskychallenges common assump- technology. Bytracingpaper’s evolutionfromantiquitytothepresent,withanemphasison the made abouttheswitchfromhandwritten toprintedbooks,andtodayabouttheroleofcomputer ing theneedtoexercisememory andthinkthroughcomplexquestions.Similarargumentswere Socrates andPlatowarnedthat writtenlanguagewouldbetheendof“trueknowledge,”replac - dent societygrowsrampant—we’ve cometoaworld-historicjuncture.Thousandsofyearsago, Amid discussionof“goingpaperless”—andasspeculationabout theeffectsofadigitallydepen- by MarkKurlansky Paper: PagingThroughHistory style hasinfluencedsubsequentones.Abibliography, glossary, andindexareincluded. The authoralsodiscussesthelessknownVictorian periodofShakerdesignandshowshowthis which inspiredthecleanlines,carefulcraftsmanship,andsignature detailsthatdefinethestyle. working ShakercommunityinMaine,thisbooktracestheroots ofShakerdesigntobelief, timeless designcategories.Basedonextensiveresearchandpersonal experiencewiththelast Solid constructionandhonestfunctionalitymakeShakerfurniture oneofthemostpopularand by ChrisBecksvoort The ShakerLegacy:PerspectivesonanEnduringFurnitureStyle These titlesandmanymoreavailablenowintheMHSMuseumStore! Permit No.1054 Non-Profit Org. Portland, ME U.S. Postage PAID

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