Preserving History • Engaging Minds • Connecting Maine maine historical society Summer 2009

MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY A Green Thought Incorporated 1822 in a Green Shade

That’s a line from a famous poem by Andrew Marvell, “The Garden.” I’ve been having green thoughts of my OFFICERS Philip H. Jordan Jr, President own lately—longings, actually. The Longfellow Garden E. Christopher Livesay, 1st Vice President has been out of commission for almost two years. It was Roger Gilmore, 2nd Vice President the staging area for all the new library construction, and James F. Millinger, Secretary Robert P. BaRoss, Treasurer it was bulldozed, dug up, re-filled, strewn with debris, and driven over by huge trucks. At the moment there’s not TRUSTEES a plant in sight. Now that the library is nearly done, I’m Eric Baxter Mary P. Nelson beginning to realize how much I’ve missed the garden— Suhail Bisharat Katherine Stoddard Pope that cool, quiet, meditative place that seemed like a green David Cimino James M. Richardson

maine historical society Linda M. Cronkhite Neil R. Rolde reflection of the library and the experience of thoughtful Priscilla B. Doucette Donna M. Ryan reading. Harland H. Eastman Imelda A. Schaefer Joseph R. Hanslip Lendall Smith Horace W. Horton Frederic L. Thompson But the Longfellow Garden’s time has come. Though we continue to raise money for the Peter G. McPheeters Jotham A. Trafton project, the work is going forward. The old wall has been completely rebuilt, exactly as Preston R. Miller Jr. Paul A. Wescott designed; the paths and beds and features first sketched in 1926 are being reset; the Margaret Crane Morfit Charles D. Whittier II Eldon L. Morrison Jean T. Wilkinson Longfellow Garden Club’s original planting list has been carefully updated; a new, sophisti- Carolyn B. Murray Nicholas H. Witte cated irrigation system will soon be in place; rich loam is on the way; and plants—flowers,

shrubs, and stately trees—are even now waking up. It will all come together by the 27th of STAFF June—the Library’s grand opening celebration. I hope to see you then, or perhaps another ADMINISTRATION time, in the garden, eating lunch, having green thoughts in the green shade. Richard D’Abate Executive Director Stephen Bromage Assistant Director Richard D’Abate Sara Archbald Administrative Assistant to the Director Steven Atripaldi Facilities Manager Executive Director Jacqueline Fenlason Director of Finance & Administration Cynthia Murphy Finance: Human Resource Assistant Leslie E. Hahn Development Officer Jane Foden Marketing/Public Relations Coordinator Diana Fish Development Assistant Elizabeth Nash Development Officer Bonnie Vance Development Officer ABOUT THE COVER Laurie Puzio Development Assistant Three of the Thirteen Mountains which Surround Katahdin Detail, John Martin Journal and Scrapbooks, ca 1864-1890 EDUCATION

Carolin Collins Director of Education Working as an accountant at the Katahdin Iron Works near Brownville, Marieke VanDerSteenhoven Americorps Education Assistant Kristie Littlefield School Partnership Coordinator John Martin documented his surroundings in August of 1889. He included the factory and dam but it was the glorious landscape that he found most MUSEUM compelling. His diary noted the many greens of spring and the blaze of John Mayer Curator of the Museum autumn color. For this drawing, he “took the most pains with the trees Holly Hurd-Forsyth Registrar bordering on the head of the Lake.” Dana Twiss Inventory Project Manager Beau Harris Inventory Project Technician Melissa Spoerl Museum Store Manager Robert Kemp Visitor Services Coordinator Table of Contents Allan Levinsky Visitor Services Coordinator

Page 3: RE/COLLECTED: Pages 6 & 7: MAINE Page 9: PROGRAM LIBRARY Great Works and New MEMORY NETWORK HIGHLIGHTS Nicholas Noyes Head of Library Services Discoveries from the A Craze for Bicycling Local History/Local Schools William D. Barry Library Reference Assistant Nancy Noble Archivist/Cataloger Brown Library Jamie Rice Public Services Librarian Page 8: SPOTLIGHT Page 10: MAINE Tracey Lamaestra Library Assistant Page 4: MAKING HISTORY ON MAINE MEMORY COMMUNITY HERITAGE Sophie Mendoza Corporate Archivist The Children’s Gate: NETWORK CONTRIBUTING PROJECT MAINE MEMORY NETWORK A Special Project PARTNER Funding for Field Trips Sanford Historical Kathleen Amoroso Director of Digital Projects Page 5: FROM THE Committee Page 11: BUILDING FOR Candace Kanes Curator Frances Pollitt Cataloger, Photo Curator COLLECTIONS THE FUTURE Dani Fazio Image Services Coordinator Fred Philpot’s View of A Windmill Model Maine Legacies Sanford and Springvale Mallett Letters Tell Merrill Industries 2 Good Stories m h s l i b r a r y 3 Elvis Presley was scheduled to perform at the Jewett Farm Workers, 1915, Norridgewock

< k Cumberland County Civic Center in 1977, the year the facility opened. When Presley died and the concert was cancelled, these tickets, rather than be- ing tossed in the wastebasket, were preserved. They survive as wonderful examples of 20th century ephemera. This commonplace rural Maine scene – workers on a farm – is made remarkable by the fact that everyone, both human and equine, has been identi- fied. Clarence Gowes is holding Dolly and Mollie (presumably on the right); Kit and Fred are with Webster Bennett. Working on the Jewett Farm in Norridgewock in 1915, they contributed to the success of this large agricultural and canning enter- prise. This photograph, among many the company took that documented their business, was made into a postcard, an effective means for marketing. [Jewett Family Papers, Collection 1532] ^ Depicting a happy summer camp scene, this photograph is one of 21,000 glass plate negatives from the Portland Press Herald archive, taken between 1920 and 1940. Donated to the library by the newspaper, then owned by Guy P. Gannett Compa- ny, this collection helps document 20th century life in Maine. Collections of Blethen Maine Newspaper/MHS. ^ John Martin Journals Between 1864 and 1899 John Martin (1823- 1902) of Bangor and Ellsworth wrote, illus- trated, and compiled four volumes (comprising 1,000 pages) that document his 19th century life in Maine. Many illustrations are his original watercolor sketches, but others he cut from newspa- pers or periodicals, pasting them into his books. This one of acrobats is but one amusing example.

Collected: Great Works and and Works Great Collected: Library Brown from the Discoveries New

he renewed and expanded Maine His- he renewed and expanded T The exhibition, curated by Laura Fecych Sprague, opens The exhibition, curated by Laura Fecych June 26 and will run through December 31, 2009. Support for this exhibit is provided by the BHA Foundation and Sprague Memorial Foundation. the Phineas W. The exhibition offers the opportunity to consider The exhibition offers the opportunity to consider the the many and varied materials found within library: books, manuscripts, maps, broadsides, - photographs, ephemera, periodicals and architec docu- tural and engineering drawings. One such ment is the Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration on of Independence, printed in Philadelphia July 4th 1776. Perhaps the most valued printed copies document in the world—there are only 25 in existence—the Dunlap broadside announced hand- independence almost two weeks before the now written, “unanimous declaration”, which rests at the National Archives. Other selected such objects are regularly used in historical study, In as genealogies, photographs and microfilm. focus on addition, groups of objects across media will the early history, special topics, such as the Society’s Abyssinian Meeting House. and Portland’s Civil War, torical Society library has reopened and every day every and reopened has library Society torical full of people pursuing a the Reading Room is subjects, for pleasure or wide range of historical that enable their quest business. The very sources Re/Col- exhibition, are the focus of this year’s and New Discoveries from lected: Great Works will reveal the This overview the Brown Library. this unparalleled collection, breadth and depth of source most comprehensive arguably the State’s for the study of Maine history. Recent acquisition: A Windmill Mallett Letters Model Tell Good Stories MHS has received more than 40 letters written by the late Farmington historian Richard Mallett Maine Historical Society recently (1908-2005), Bowdoin(1930), and author: purchased from a local antique collector University of Maine at Farmington (1974); The a fascinating technical model of a wind- Last 100 Years: A Glimpse of Farmington We mill made in 1865 by John A. Hubbard, Have Known (1991); Two Centuries of Farm- who lived in West Houlton at that time. ington Schools (1992); and The Early Years of The model illustrates Hubbard’s patent Farmington (1994). to improve the design of wind mills and more efficiently convert wind power The letters discuss the joys and pitfalls encoun- into mechanical energy, and is now part tered by a local historical writer in the late 20th of the museum collection. century, recollections that are both substantive and charming. Specific memories include an Unfortunately the model has little early job as a local sports- documentation, but staff research has writer, visits with historians uncovered some information about Census and genealogical records show Elizabeth Ring, Paul Frederic, Hubbard as well as background about John settled in Houlton by the early 1850s and Bill Bunting. wind power. where he raised a family and set up a cabinet making shop. He worked with an Mallett’s description of a Red- Given the current interest in sources apprentice and must have been actively path Chautauqua gathering for alternative energy, it is interesting engaged in the region’s booming lumber at Sandy River in l9l8 (letter how history repeats itself – nearly 150 industry. of August 12, l999) recalls years ago at least one Maine resident how he walked to the river ^ Richard Mallett, was looking to convert wind into useful This model is a vertical mill – and is with a man who asked such Gift of Anne Mallett energy. equipped with a reciprocating arm that questions “as you get from

COLLECTIONS half-interested adults: what

powers a small frame saw. A larger, John Allen Hubbard was born Novem- full-size machine of this type would be at- do you want to be when you are an adult? ber 3, 1820 in Hiram. His father and tractive to the many owners of lumbering what do you do for kicks?” Later Richard’s t h e

grandfather were farmers and millers operations in the eastern forests of Maine. father brought him to hear the evening lecturer, and the young John would have been Beautifully made from walnut, the model his walking companion from earlier in the day: raised in a home where machines and illustrates Hubbard’s skill as a cabinet Warren G. Harding. The letter continues: “So mechanical systems were part of his you see I spent most of the day with an attrac- f r o m maker, and his interest in harnessing the everyday experience. The Hubbard mill tive and pleasant man who was perhaps the abundant energy available from the wind. was probably powered by water -- how worst president we ever had.” John became interested in wind power is John Mayer unknown. Museum Curator MHS collections are presently in need of such late 20th century correspondence, which pro- Funds provided by the Friends of Collections allow MHS to selectively vide insight into the life and motives of Mainers acquire and conserve invaluable artifacts of Maine history. from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations. A proud Mainer, Richard served for two decades as an analyst and editor of intelligence reports for the CIA before teaching at UMF from l968 to 1973. Indeed it was the death of his beloved wife Helena (1914-1992) that propelled him into his later writing career (letter September 7, l994).

^ John Hubbard patented his invention These letters dovetail beautifully with the Maine in 1865. Unfortunately no records have Community Heritage Project (see page 10) been found to document his success in building full-size versions of the mill. currently at work with a variety of entities in Farmington. It brings together widely scattered < The windmill model is approximately historical information in new ways. Richard 20” tall. Not shown is the frame saw Mallett would undoubtedly be pleased. attached to a reciprocating arm used to demonstrate the potential for sawing lumber. Bill Barry Research Librarian 4 4 Making History The Children’s

t was the end of March, March Gate 24th to be exact. A group of researchers stood patientlyI on the steps, waiting for the doors to A Special Project open—the “soft” debut of the newly renovated and expanded MHS Brown Library. The staff One of the Longfellow Garden’s was breathless, exhausted, and a bit apprehen- most unique features is the Children’s sive. So many details! And the building—at Longfellow Garden, Spring, 2009 Gate, which once tied the library least the final punch list—was still in progress. and Longfellow House together. The go to meet our $9.5 million goal. The cam- Double anxiety! But we needn’t have worried. gate was designed by the architect The congratulations were heartfelt and imme- paign committee has regrouped, a new strategy Alexander Wadsworth Longfellow diate: for the blending of old and new architec- is in place, and we will be working diligently to honor his uncle Henry’s famous tural styles, for the handsome furniture, for the throughout the year to raise these funds and affection for children. It was installed new colors, for the fabulous storage systems, more. More? Yes, there is important work for the fact that Maine Historical Society had ahead and we must begin it on the soundest fi- soon after the original library opened recommitted itself to the highest standards of nancial footing. Your help is still needed. If you in 1907 but was removed in the stewardship. It was a moment of great pride. have given, please consider giving again; if you 1960s in dilapidated condition. We haven’t given yet, we welcome your participa- would like to bring the Children’s One part of the project, however, was conspic- tion. Just call Bonnie Vance in the development Gate back, and have created a sepa- office: 207-774-1822, ext. 231. uously incomplete the day we opened. Work rate fundraising effort to do so. The on the Longfellow Garden had been caught in goal is $100,000. We’re extremely a winter postponement. The garden, we be- To all who’ve seen the library it is clear that pleased to say that the project has lieve, is the library’s essential companion—its both Maine history and the Maine Historical been kicked off by a very generous green reflection. The one must have the other. Society are entering a new future. That is why That, in fact, is the focus of all our efforts now: we are so eager for the grand public celebration gift of $25,000 from the members of to restore the garden to its former beauty and and rededication of both library and garden, the Longfellow Garden Club. If you historic charm in time for the grand celebration scheduled for June 27th. The entire Society will would like to help, or might consider in June. Plants and paths, walls and fountain, a be open and free to tour: Brown Library, Long- a naming gift, please let us know: call quiet place to think. We can hardly wait. fellow House and Garden, and the Museum, Richard D’Abate, or Bonnie Vance, including the new exhibit, Re/Collected: Great 207-774-1822 ext 231. The garden, along with other unfinished work, Works and New Discoveries from the Brown is also the focus of our ongoing fundraising Library, which opens June 26th. Please plan to activity. As noted in the spring issue, we are on join us: members, friends, supporters, and all the last leg of the campaign: about $800,000 to who love the state of Maine.

The Children’s Gate

To learn more about and support the Maine Historical Society, please consider The Walter F. Whittier Reading Room at the Nick Noyes, Brown Library Director, becoming a member. For more information, Brown Library. shelving books during the move. visit: www.mainehistory.org/membership. 5 “ maine memory network

^ Bicyclists at Checkley Hotel, Scarborough, ca. 1895. Contributed by Maine Historical Society.

< The Thomas Girls and Marie Emma Skilling, ca. 1885. Contributed by Maine Historical Society. > Jack Lawrence of the York County Wheel- men, “Champion of Maine,” ca. 1900. Contributed by Dyer Library Archives/Saco Museum.

6 A Craze for Bicycling e n i a m

y r o m e m “

ven Portland has cast aside her usual slowness and Mason praised the new costume that “discards the long trailing skirt helped to prove that 1895 may be here, as it has been called and adopts that which clothes each leg separately.”

elsewhere,E the wheeling year,” Gwen Mason of Portland wrote k r o w t e n in Maine Outing magazine in August 1895. Another bicycle craze had hit the country in 1869 following the introduction of the velocipede, often dubbed the “boneshaker,” to the She added, “Indeed, it must be when a little city, handicapped U.S. With pedals attached to the front wheel and a high-mount seat, as it is by bad roads and its lothfulness to adopt any new sport the vehicle was not for everyone. But velocipede tracks where patrons or fad, in six months brings forth over three hundred devotees could rent the cycles and learn to ride sprouted up around Maine and among the feminine population.” the nation, and disappeared as quickly.

The bicycling craze had hit Maine, the nation, and many other The “ordinary,” as the improved high-wheel cycle was known, was countries as well. still popular in Maine in the late 1880s.

In May 1895, the magazine noted, “There is a great boom By the 1890s, however, most riders had switched to the safety bike in bicycling at South Portland this spring, there being at least that looked much more like contemporary bicycles. It was chain forty new wheels. Old and young are learning to ride, and driven, had a low-mount seat, a more comfortable ride, and was safer there are some amusing spectacles afforded by the novices.” for men and women.

The next year, 1896 has been called the height of the popular- Riders in the mid 1890s used cyclometers to record their mileage, ity of the “wheel.” Portland had a reported 40 businesses that bragging about a season’s total that topped 1,000 miles. Clarence sold more than 80 makes of bicycles. Rice of Woodfords reported in September 1895 that he had ridden 4,480 miles that season – and hoped to reach 5,000. Throughout Maine in the 1880s until the early 1900s, bicycles were everywhere. About 50 communities had bicycle clubs Clubs and individual entrepreneurs sponsored bicycle tours. The affiliated with the League of American Wheelman, a group Skowhegan Wheel Club had annual tours to Quebec, for instance. that promoted cycling, lobbied for better roads for cyclists, and published newsletters and maps of cycling routes. Many other Racing was popular, too, clubs existed, too. both on tracks – some built especially for bicycles – and The Maine Outing in June 1895 quoted another publication, on the road. noting, “A ladies’ wheel club is reported from Gardiner, Me., rejoicing in the euphonious name, “Six of One and Half Dozen The popularity of bicycles of the Other Club. The name, though lengthy, is appropriate, reportedly hurt businesses as six of its members are maidens and six are matrons.” like stables and carriage companies. But the bicycle Bicycling enthusiasts praised the many benefits of cycling: craze faded some after exercise, fresh air, health, improved family relationships, diver- 1896 and then, a new sion for men from drinking, and women’s dress reform. Much form of transportation, the discussion filled magazines, newspapers, and, no doubt, private automobile, supplanted the conversations about the appropriateness of women riding “wheel.” bicycles and, especially, of what they wore while riding.

It was clear that Victorian clothing – long and heavy – would Candace Kanes, be inappropriate. Many women opted for bloomers. Maine Memory Network Curator Gwen Mason wrote, “The first lady who rode a diamond frame machine in Portland is Mrs. William Haggett, who rode a Monarch on a stationary rest, at the New York Cycle Show, making 100 miles in four hours and fifty-three minutes. She ^ Puritan Cycle Manufacturing looks very trim upon her eighteen-pound racer in a light brown Co. advertisement, 1897 suit, consisting of red sweater, brown bloomers, cap, leggings, Contributed by Maine Historical and jacket.” Society.

Maine Memory Network, www.MaineMemory.net, is an online museum and archive of historical documents, 7 photographs, and objects from historical societies, libraries, museums, and archives across the state of Maine. Spotlight on Maine Memory Network Sanford, Springvale and other Contributing Partner locations in York County.

Making and selling postcards of his images drove much of a r t n e r s Sanford Historical Philpot’s activity. When busi- p ness was slack, for instance, he photographed every house Committee on a street in hopes of selling Fred Philpot’s View of Sanford and Springvale postcard views to the home- owners.

Philpot, a native of Limerick, Photography has the potential to democratize history. Many of the set up his first photo business sources of history are government or business records that tend to in Springvale in1875 with his favor officials and official events. A camera might capture images of brother George. When George those same “important” persons, but also might provide images of died soon afterwards, 20-year- contributing ordinary people, daily life, family and community and other events old Fred went elsewhere to and occasions that escape official notice. gain more experience, first Between 1887 and 1917, Fred Clarence Philpot, a professional to Somersworth, then to photographer and merchant, pointed his camera at people, homes, Portland where he worked for businesses, factories, churches, parades, carnivals and special events in noted photographer Charles W. Hearn. ^ Fred Philpot outside his photo studio in Sanford in 1903. Besides his photographic busi- ness, he had a separate store on Main Street in Springvale where he sold pianos, organs, bicycles and sewing machines. He sometimes photographed his own store and took many pictures of shops in Sanford and Springvale. He sold his business in 1917 and returned to Limerick, where he died in 1925.

In the early 1920s, amateur photographer Lloyd Batchelder bought some 1,500 of Philpot’s glass negatives. Batchelder’s widow donated them to the Sanford Historical Committee in 1963.

Paul Auger, Vice President of the Society and a history and social studies teacher at Sanford High School, working with his students, has contrib- uted more than 500 Philpot images to Maine Memory Network.

The Philpot Collection presents a remarkable record of many details of life in Sanford, Springvale, and surrounding areas.

< Fred Philpot with Bertha Boothby Brown, Annie Harmon Verrill, and Carrie Harmon at Mousam Lake in about 1900. All photos contributed by the Sanford Historical Committee

CONTRIBUTING Partner profile: Sanford-Springvale Historical Museum www.sanfordhistory.org

Facilities: CONTACT: ADMISSION: Free COLLECTION: The Sanford-Springvale Harland Eastman, President, Artifacts, manuscript materials, Historical Museum, Home of Sanford-Springvale Historical FOUNDED: photographs and printed items the Sanford Historical Society Sanford Historical Committee representing nearly every Committee & The Sanford- P. O. Box 276, 1927; Sanford-Springvale facet of the town’s history. Springvale Historical Society Springvale, ME 04083 Historical Society 2005. 505 Main Street, Springvale. Museum (207) 490-1028 PROGRAMS: Home (207) 324-2797 MISSION: Monthly programs on subjects The Museum was built in To acquire, preserve and of general interest, some 1873 and served as San- display items of historical historical, some not. Also, HOURS: PUBLICATIONS: ford’s Town Hall from then un- significance to the Town concerts of classical music Year Round – Thursday 2-8 A quarterly newsletter with til 1908. It is on the National of Sanford and Village of about every three months. p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. to 4 historical articles and news Register of Historic Places. Springvale. p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to about happenings at the MEMBERS:200 noon. Museum. 8 P r o g r a m h i g h l i g h t s 9 pack stores, and robot crossing guards! Back in the classroom, students became

g pet shops coexist happily with bubble cars, jet community planners, creating three-dimensional Main Street collages of their vision of the future. On these streets, houses, toy stores, schools, and f After a close exploration of the photographs from Main Street, Maine in their classrooms and the gallery, students braved the chilly March air to sketch Portland’s “Main” Street – Congress Street – as seen from Monument Square. This spring, students from East End Community, This spring, students from East End Community, Hall, Nathan Clifford, and Riverton schools “Local program, partnership our in participating History/Local Schools” are using Main Street, From the Eastern Il- Maine: Downtown Views lustrating and Publishing Company as a jumping past, off point for studying communities of the present, and future. Students’ families were invited to see these of the projects on display at the museum as part “Local History/Local Schools” final celebration May 5th. At this event, students on Tuesday, their become the museum experts, introducing have families to the exhibit and the learning they done.

Before heading out, students Before heading

> of the Monument looked at some in the Square postcards on display and Shettleworth Lecture Hall, square has thought about how the they changed over time. Later, with would go over their sketches all to- black marker and put them view. gether to create a panoramic Local History, Local Schools Local History, Page D1 1st edition Cyan Magenta Yellow Black

D1, Wednesday, April 15, 2009, Bangor Daily News e c t J Special Thanks to Our Series Sponsors New Funding r o Lubec

P for Field Trips The second of four parts The Maine Community Heritage Project is a partnership of the Maine Historical Society and Presque Isle Maine State Library that mobilized Maine communities around the exploration, gathering and Lubec sharing of their local history. Teams from Presque Isle, Lubec, Islesboro, Hampden, Thomaston, Islesboro New Portland, Farmington and Bath are participating in a yearlong research process that will Thomaston lead to the creation of Web sites about the histories of their communities on the Maine Memory Network at www.mainememory.net/, the Maine Historical Society's statewide digital Save all four parts and build a poster! museum. Their Web sites will be launched in June. This project is supported by a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY LUBEC CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL

Exploring Some of the fifth-grade students from Lubec Consolidated School field trip to MHS has been the involved in the Maine Community Historic Heritage Project are (from left) Lubec Robert Wallace, Emma Page, Seth Doherty, Stephanie Wright and centerpiece of many teachers’ curriculum for BY THE FIFTH GRADE CLASS were: guests including graduates, and a trip Austin Serrato. h e r t i t a g e LUBEC CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL with their teacher, Molly Avery, to Machias, A meeting retired teacher Annie Gerrish and e chose what we wanted to former superintendent Guy Look. They dis- years. The Wadsworth-Longfellow House write about,” said Lubec fifth- covered one interviewee survived 1937’s grader Emma Page. That is Gardner Lake disaster, a school picnic boat- volunteer Ron Pesha’s strategy ing accident that cost the lives of 12 youths. for building student interest. Fascinated, the fifth-graders checked out a provides an authentic sense of 19th century WPresent the project, explain the limits, and library book on the subject, then read con- ask the youngsters how to satisfy the require- temporary newspaper clippings. Helping ments. with text for the Web site, the students life and of Longfellow’s roots as a poet. Told they could contribute to a new book penned personal reactions. “I really hope all about Lubec and to the Maine Community kinds of people think about this day of sad- Heritage Project Web site, they selected the ness,” wrote Austin Serrato. “I didn’t know old high school as their focus. how bad it was until now,” added Seth Students on the Longfellow Trail experience How to start? Students Stephanie Wright Doherty. and Robert Wallace responded, “Interview Now they anticipate seeing their work in people who attended?” Research highlights print and on the Internet. changes in the city of Portland over time, with a special focus on events and places alluded

Columbian to in Longfellow’s “My Lost Youth.” In the (Sardine) Pack- ing Co., (above) c o m m u n i t y circa 1910, built first decade of MHS Museum, they participate in hands-on, 20th century, closed in 1932. It remains in interactive activities related to a wide variety ruins onshore behind the Canning Lubec Histori- sardines cal Society of Maine history topics. circa 1950s. building, which was the Bangor Daily News Highlightscompany store. Limited school budgets and the steep price of transportation have made it difficult recently Water Street (left) circa 1910. The Maine Communitynearest building is gone, now site of Heritage Projects Lubec Memorial Library. Most of the buildings in the middle block still exist. for teachers to give their students these experi-

High school fire (above), Nov. 26, 1913, seen in Calkins Shoe ences. MHS has been looking for ways to this hand-colored postcard. Lubec Town Hall Store circa 1920, The Bangor Daily Newswith Fire featured Department now stands four on this site. isstill designed stands, now to help teachers and students use The R.J. Peacock Fire Museum sits on the exact housing Lubec spot as the front of the old school building, Hardware. work with schools to keep their students communities working housing in the ourpreserved Torrent Maine pumper, which newspapers to develop essential academic and assisted during this fire. Community Heritage Project—Thom- life skills. Each of these MCHP teams worked coming to visit. All of our education programs The students’ research: A Timeline of Lubec’s History Pre-1700s Passamaquoddy encampments first keeper. Lubec Canal. 1902 Lubec Water & Electric District are designed in conjunction with the Maine inaston, North Lubec. Lubec, 18 Islesboro,10 Seward’s Neck residents choose and 1860Presque Lead mines established. withestablished. the Bangor Daily News staff to produce 1754-1763 Maine Indians forced north into committee to petition legislature in Boston 1861 200 Lubec men, ages 18 to 40, 1907 American Can Co. begins making eastern Maine during French and Indian War. to be set off from Moose Island as a town entered the Union Army. two-piece drawn cans. 1755 British deport Acadians to New by itself. 1862 On Dec. 14, Albion K.P. Avery is first 1916 Eagle Theater offers movies, State Learning Results. We provide pre- and England,Isle—in including Maine. their special1811 Jonathan Weston, Jabez “Newspapers Mowry, Sher- Lubec soldier killed in inCivil War (Battlea of full-pagevaudeville, summer stock, spread Houdini! that described their projects 1775 Machias residents capture British ship man Leland, Samuel Beals, Joseph Clark Fredericksburg). 1919 Passamaquoddy Tidal Project Margaretta in first naval battle of War of Jr. and Benjamin Reynolds draft bill of 1865 Peak of smoked herring industry, proposed, was partially built, then Independence. incorporation. “Lubeck,” as it was spelled with 30 smokehouses from North Lubec to abandoned in 1936. post-visit lesson plans to expand and make 1Education”777 George Washington appoints John(NIE)in the bill datedsection June 21, 1811, was in the April.Bailey’s Mistake. NIE and19 56showcased Lubec Herald ends publication. images. Allan superintendent of Eastern Indians. 188th town in Maine and included Dudley, 1869 Saxby Gale of 90-100 mph winds on 1962 Roosevelt International Bridge opens. 1789 Louis Delesdernier appointed first Frederic, Mark and Roger’s Island. Massa- Nov. 4 caused destruction. West Quoddy Head State Park established. collector for customs District of chusetts approves incorporation. First 1873-1874 1965 Lubec High School marching band Passamaquoddy. town meeting warrant issued July 7, 1811. Quoddy Head Lifesaving Station construct- represents Maine in the Cherry Blossom more meaningful the learning done on-site. 1790 John Cooper, acting as agent for 1812 War of 1812 leads to extensive ed at Carrying Place Cove. Parade in Washington, D.C. NorthThe Lubec Mainesettlers, petitioned CommunityMassachu- smuggling operations Heritage between British Project1876 Last sailing ship is built ain Lubec partnership by 1971 Regional Medical between Center opens. MHS and the Maine State setts General Court requesting settlers be and American territories along Charles Sears. 1972 American Can closes; movie theater confirmed in their land holdings. Passamaquoddy Bay. 1879 Number of active weirs down to 31; burns. Our school admission costs are low ($2/stu- Library,President Washington fundedcommissions by1814 British a occupygrant Eastport. from the74 smokehouses Institute remain. of MuseumLubec Crafts Council & incorporated. Library Services. It is currently Hopley Yeaton as first officer of Revenue 1815 Jabez Mowry and other Eastport 1880 Moses P. Lawrence, Henry Dodge and 1975 McCurdy Smokehouse is remaining Cutter Service, making him first commis- merchants relocate to Lubec. Julius Wolff establish a sardine factory in U.S. business of its kind. sionedworking naval officer. with eightPost office communities established. Road connecting throughoutNorth Lubec called Lubec Packing the Co. stateSardine toplants exploredwindled to 15. local history and create web- dent for a one-hour program, $3/student for 1791 Massachusetts accepts Cooper’s Lubec and East Machias under construction. 1881-1898 E.W. Brown & Co. on Water Street 1976 Completion of school additions petition, and Solomon Cushing begins 1817 First Lubec village schoolhouse built, first of 23 sardine factories established. creates Lubec Consolidated School. layingsites out township as intoa 100-acremeans lots. toincluding share a meeting hall.that history.1882 Passamaquoddy Ferry Co. runs 1977 Lubec Municipal Building built on 1795 With Cushing’s work done, lots 1818 British evacuate Eastport. Boundary between Eastport and Lubec. old Hilltop School site. two-hour programs). assigned to settlers for $5 per lot. between Canada and United States 1884 Lubec Herald publishes. 1980s Growth of salmon aquaculture, sea 1797 Daniel Ramsdell cures first herring established. 1889 F.M. Tucker, the first fire chief, founds urchin, scallop, lobster fisheries. by smoke in Lubec. 1820 Maine separates from Massachusetts, Torrent Fire Company. New England Aquarium establishes Bay of 1798 Eastport (Moose Island) incorporated as 23rd state on March 15. 1890s Explosion of sardine canning on Fundy Right Whale Research Field Station. with 583 inhabitants. Road to East Machias completed. Passamaquoddy Bay. 1990 R.J. Peacock Canning Co. suspends 1804-1830 Twenty vessels launched from Stagecoaches for passengers run by 1893 Steamship SS Cumberland made its operations. Lubec shipyards. William Chaloner, a Lubec hotelier. first voyage from Boston to Lubec. 1991 McCurdy’s Smokehouse closes. 1804 First schooner, Hope, built at First Christian Church built. 1897-1898 Telegraph service opens. 1995 Lubec Marina built; dismantled after And now, due to the generous support pro- Seward’s Neck by Capt. George W. Allan. Brush weirs to catch herring came into Resort hotel Ne-Mat-Ta-No built in North series of damaging storms. 1809 First lighthouse wide use in Passamaquoddy. Lubec by Portland YMCA. 2001 New Lubec Memorial Library building at West Quoddy 1821 Twenty smokehouses operating in Electrolytic Marine Salts Co. established in completed. Head, with Lubec, making it national leader in smoked Lubec. Connors Bros. plant (former Booth vided by the Edward H. Daveis Benevolent Thomas herring production into 1880s. First Lubec High School class graduates Fisheries Factory B), last sardine plant Dexter as FIND 1832 somethingPlaster mills erected at North (1897). forin Lubec, closes. everyone

ABOUT THE SERIES: History Hunters is presented by For more information on the Community Heritage Project, visit Fund of the Maine Community Foundation Bangor Daily News' Newspapers in Education program in cooperation http://www.mainememory.net/mchp/ with the Maine Historical Society's Maine Community Heritage Project. The four-part series is sponsored by Casco Bay Energy and the Universityin of Maine at Presque our Isle. NIE also thanks the Institute M of useum Store! and the Elsie A. Brown Fund, we are able to Museum and Library Services, the Maine Historical Society and the Maine State Library. NIE editor: Pat Lemieux Series editor: Julie Murchison Harris Graphics and design editor: Eric Zelz subsidize transportation costs. Schools will CLICK IT: For a PDF of the series, visit bangordailynews.com SOURCES: Photos courtesy of the Lubec Historical Society. FOR INFORMATION regarding the Bangor Daily News’ Newspapers in Education program, contact Pat Lemieux, Bangor Daily News, be reimbursed for bus transportation costs up 990-8076. For additional copies, subscriptions and general information, Dunlap Broadside contact the Bangor Daily News at 990-8000 or 800-432-7964. Limited Edition to $150. One grant is available per bus, with a total grant not to exceed $300 per One of our Brown Library’s treasures, an school. Subsidies will be awarded to eligible original Declaration of Independence, has schools on a first-come, first-served basis until been reproduced in a limited edition and funds are depleted or December 31, 2009, is available in the Museum Store and on whichever occurs first. line at www.mainehistory.org, $15.00.

We have received applications from schools as close as Portland and from as far away as Lewiston. An application for the bus subsidy, as well as descriptions of our

AND DON’T FORGET: YOUR education programs, can be found at www.mainehistory.org. MEMBERS-ONLY DISCOUNT CAN BE USED IN THE Carolin Collins SHOP AND ON-LINE AT Director of Education WWW.MAINEHISTORY.ORG 10 b u i l d i n g f o r t h e f u t u r e 11 Paul D. Merrill - an MHS professional archivist, is carefully turning a massive aggregation of materials into a fully processed ar weeded, collection: chival arranged, indexed, cross referenced, and properly re-housed. When the project is done, the Merrill Industry Collection will open new politics and windows on the economy, community life of Maine in the 20th century. If you would like more information about the project, or would like to know more about our archival services, please call Nick Noyes, at 207-774-1822. Bonnie Vance Development Officer -

have followed her example, would be proud that such a state-of-the art have followed her example, would be proud collections of MHS for facility will protect and preserve the extensive generations to come. advisor about mak- Please consider talking to your attorney or financial Your foresight will help ing a bequest to the Maine Historical Society. stories and artifacts of make a promise to future generations that the Maine history will always be there. Bonnie Vance at (207) To make your own gift for the future, contact 774-1822, ext. 231 or at [email protected]. national port for dry cargo. As might be imagined, the records of Merrill civic Industries (not to mention the family’s and cultural activities) constitute a major in the second year historical resource. Now, of a two year contract, MHS is helping P.D.’s Sophie Mendoza, estate preserve that legacy. industrial equipment and eventually erected antenna that relayed the first tele- the Telstar vision signals between North America and Europe. After the WWII, Merrill Industries operated lumber mills and engaged in many other businesses—furniture manufacturing, and coal distribution among cement laundry, Marine Terminal them. In 1982 Merrill’s opened for business and helped reestablish Portland as a significant national and inter Three generations of the Longfellow family, c. 1869. Three generations of the Longfellow family, c.

s early founders of MHS, the s early founders of MHS,

The Merrill companies played an important Paul E. Merrill, father, role in Maine. P.D.’s purchased his first truck in 1929, the start of Co., which became Merrill Transportation the leading hauler in northern New England for petroleum products, chemicals, and heavy equipment. Its crane service installed Even before his untimely death in 2007, Paul D. Merrill, known familiarly as P.D., had begun to talk to MHS about the history of Merrill Industries and how its papers could be saved, organized, and prepared for a topic not many businesses It’s posterity. and corporations think about (unfortunately so, since business is integral to our society was a and history at every point), but P.D. man. thoughtful and far-sighted

Merrill Industries Focus of Major Archival Project Merrill Industries Focus of Major A

Legacies Maine Maine Newly named for Alida Carroll and John Marshall Brown, the recently Newly named for Alida Carroll and John Marshall of the largest and most renovated and expanded library contains one to Maine history in the comprehensive collections of materials related like many others who state. We believe that Anne Longfellow Pierce, As part of her bequest, Anne stipulated in her will that a library be built As part of her bequest, Anne stipulated in her as the permanent home for on her property behind the Longfellow House Henry and Anne’s nephew MHS. Designed by Alexander Longfellow, the library was opened in and a prominent Maine architect of the time, of Historic Places. 1907 and is now on the National Register When Anne died, the house passed to MHS along with household items and artifacts original to the Wadsworth and the Longfellow House Longfellow families. Because of Anne’s vision, in Maine – one opened in 1901 as the first historic house museum visitors to this National of the first in the nation—and has welcomed Historic Landmark ever since. Longfellow family was among the first to rec- Longfellow family was of gifts made after a ognize the importance Anne Longfellow donor’s lifetime. In 1895, the home oc- Pierce decided to bequeath of family to the cupied by three generations as a legacy to the Maine Historical Society Henry Wadsworth memory of her brother, Longfellow.

M E ( L M MU M Hour Summer C O MU M M www.hwlongfellow.org www.vintagemaineimages.com www.mainememory.net www.mainehistory.org 489 Mailing HOLIDAY CALL E F T We Portland, M L M C O C O el: (207) 774-1822 (207) el: ax: (207) 775-4301 (207) ax: O xhibit opens June 26 26 June opens xhibit -mail [email protected] -mail C T losed losed ast tour at 4) at tour ast pen July 4, 10-2 10-2 4, July pen on- on- on- aine aine HS HS HS AD HS losed losed losed losed pen July 4, 10-2 10-2 4, July pen pen July 4, 10-2 10-2 4, July pen ues- on- F t Portland, Portland, 489 NGF losed losed bsit S S

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