Current Exhibits  

Spotlight On:

 Tracy Lamaestra 

 Public Services Librarian 

Tracy hails from Iowa, but now calls Maine home. A former Los Angeles cop, Tracy switched careers in her 40s to work in the museum world. In 2008, she earned her master's degree in American & New England Studies from USM.    

During the past six years Tracy has worked at MHS in a variety of capacities, which includes helping with the museum inventory, cataloging the Coombs archictectural collection, and the glass plate negatives from the Leonard Bond Chapman collection. She is currently serving as Public Services Librarian while Jamie Rice is on maternity leave.   

When not at MHS, Tracy enjoys working on her 1855 Greek Revival/ Italianate home in Bath, walking her two Old English Sheep dogs, and searching out the best Mexican food this side of the Mississippi.

Bill's Mythbusters

Fact Checking with William David Barry,

Maine Historian Extraordinaire

CLAIM: Darby and Joan, the proverbial "contented old couple" lived in Maine. 

REALITY: While the original Darby and Joan were stock characters first traced to Henry Woodfall's popular English ballad of 1748, a Portland couple were given the nicknames.  

John Burke (1813-1896) and his wife Catherine (1798-1892) were Irish-Americans who lived on Larch Street (lower Munjoy Hill) in the late 19th century. John was blind and sold woven mats at the iron fence of the Clapp Mansion, on the corner of Congress and Elm streets. Every day for decades, Catherine led gaunt John, who wore his tall silk hat and frock coat, from their home to the spot granted to him by the Clapp family.  

Elizabeth Cavazza published a poem in their honor. Their grave stones in Calvary Cemetery include the familiar nicknames along with their proper names.  

Bill Barry can be reached at rdesk@mainehistory.org. 

Top 10 Reasons to Give to the  

MHS Annual Fund

1. Your contribution is needed.  Visitor fees and membership alone cannot begin to cover maintenance of the Longfellow House, museum, library, and related programs. 

2. Your gift has legs. The Annual Fund supports public programs and exhibits which, in turn, bring in new friends and members. 

3. Your gift shows foundations and other potential funders the community's commitment to MHS.

4. Annual Fund contributions make history come alive for thousands of students each year.

5. It's effective. Each year, the Annual Fund provides support to MHS equivalent to a $5 million endowment.

6. You are reaffirming your commitment to MHS and its mission.

7. Paying it forward. History is a gift to future generations; preserving it depends on people like you who understand its value and fragility.

8. It takes a state. The Annual Fund helps underwrite Maine Memory Network and outreach programs that provide training to historical organizations, schools, and libraries across Maine.   

9. Every gift matters, no matter the size.

10.  When you give to MHS, you invest in Maine's past, present, and future.

To make a gift online or to learn more,

visit us online.

MHS News

New Museum Exhibit Opens June 24!   

MHS will open a major new exhibit later this month. Dressing Up, Fitting In, Standing Out: Adornment & Identity in Maine, 1750-1950 explores how Mainers have used clothing and accessories to present themselves for a variety of social occasions. MHS members are invited to the opening party on Thursday, June 23 (5-7pm); Dressing Up will open to the public on June 24 and be on display through May 27, 2012.

Dressing Up--adorning oneself for a particular occasion--reflects who we are, who we want to be, and how we want others to see us. We dress up to fit in for ceremonies and rituals, to stand out for special social occasions, and to try to look our best for photographers or painters.

The exhibit, curated by Candace Kanes, draws heavily on MHS collections, including hats, jewelry, shoes, hair combs, walking sticks, and other personal accessories, as well as photographs, paintings, and several costumes. Learn more.  

MHS News 

200 Turn out to Remember Dave Astor Show

Dave Astor with Tony Boffa and Steve Romanoff Photo by John Patriquin/Maine Sunday Telegram

An enthusiastic crowd turned out at Port City Music Hall on Saturday afternoon to remember The Dave Astor Show. Astor commanded the stage, and show alum shared stories, heartfelt thanks, songs, and even skits. You can see photos of the event, read coverage in the Maine Sunday Telegram, and listen to/watch pieces aired by Maine Public Radio and WCSH leading up to the program.

There's more Dave Astor to come at MHS. Screenings of the only remaining episode of The Dave Astor Show will be offered every Saturday afternoon this summer, and photos of the show will be added to Maine Memory Network. MHS is also putting together a memory book for Dave: if you have a story to share related to The Dave Astor Show (watching or appearing on) please email it to us by June 30.

Summer Programs and Events    

Mark Your Calendar!

Plus!

Beat the Heat: Movies at MHS!