February 17, 2014

Maine Historical Society is closed today in observance of President's Day.

DIGITAL HISTORY

Stories from Maine Memory Network

Historical Image:

Polar Bear Dive, Wayne, 1980

Polar Bear Dive at Old Mill Stream, February 17, 1980 MMN #11197

Some of us can't put on enough layers in the winter. Thirty-four years ago today, these hardy souls in Wayne peeled all the layers away and plunged themselves into the icy 35-degree waters of Old Mill Stream for the annual Polar Bear Dive. While the Wayne dive was an "initiation of winter," many similar events today raise money for causes, such as the National Resources Council's annual Portland "Polar Bear Plunge" for environmental issues, or the Special Olympics' "Lobster Dip" in Old Orchard Beach. View this image online.

THIS WEEK

Wednesday, February 19, 12:00pm

Intro to MHS: Maine Memory Network Demonstration

Facilitator: Kathy Amoroso, Director of Digital Projects

Ever wonder what the Maine Memory Network is and why it's relevant to you? Join us as Kathy provides an in-depth review of content and search functions on Maine's premier digital museum. Bring a laptop or tablet (optional) and search as you go.

Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21, 12-5pm

Bundle Up Tours of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House

Bundle up and tour the Wadsworth-Longfellow House with your family during school vacation week. Explore the boyhood home of the famous poet and imagine how it would have been during those 19th century winters-heat only from the fireplaces, cooking over an open fire, and no electricity! Tour guides will lead guests through each room and will discuss what life was like for children in the 1800s, without today's modern amenities. This is a family friendly tour and children of all ages are welcome.

45-minute tours depart on the hour, last tour leaves at 4:00pm. $5.00 for adults; $3 for children 12 and younger; Free for MHS members and children three and younger.

NEXT WEEK

Thursday, February 27, 7:00pm

Death Song of a Mighty Nation: Finding Traces of Hiawatha in Longfellow's Maine Childhood

In partnership with The Longfellow Chorus, in Celebration of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Birthday
Speakers: Charles Kaufmann, John Bear Mitchell, Betsy Sholl

"The Song of Hiawatha"
illustration, ca. 1880.
MMN #11623

Join us to celebrate Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 207th birthday! Charles Kaufmann, founding artistic director of The Longfellow Chorus, explores the poet's childhood interest in the history of Maine's Wabanaki tribes, and how several early poems and other teenage writings generated themes and motives that would form the basis of The Song of Hiawatha, written decades later.

The program also features a dramatic reading of Longfellow's 1823 Junior Exposition "dialog" at Bowdoin College, with special guests John Bear Mitchell, Associate Director of U-Maine's Wabanaki Center, and former Maine Poet Laureate Betsy Sholl. Sholl will also read several poems in honor of Longfellow's birthday. Birthday cake will be served following the formal presentation.

COMING SOON

Maine Restaurant Week at Maine Historical Society

Tuesday, March 4, 12:00pm

Lunchtime Lecture: History of Portland's Chinese Restaurants with speaker Gary Libby

Thursday, March 6, 7:00pm

Maine Restaurant Fare Dinnertime Discussion & Sampling, with food historian Sandy Oliver

Friday, March 7, 5:00-8:00pm

First Friday Art Walk: Opening reception for the exhibition From Chop Suey to Washington Pie: Maine Menus. (On view February 21 - April 21, 2014)

Learn more about Maine Restaurant Week here.

These events and the exhibition are made possible by funding from Rabelais.

Click here for a full listing of MHS events.

SAVE THE DATE

Thursday, March 20, 7:00pm
Veterans Issues: From the Civil War to Today
With a Special Introduction by Congressman Mike Michaud

How to care for veterans, and contend with the many issues resulting from war-related service and combat, has been a theme throughout history. Maine was a leader in providing services to veterans immediately following the Civil War. Togus, now Maine's VA Hospital, originated as a veterans' home in 1866. A panel of experts draws the threads from Civil War-era veterans' affairs to what today's servicemen and women returning home face. Learn more here.

NOTE: There is limited seating for this event, please register online. Please arrive by 6:45pm to secure your reserved seat.

SUPPORT YOUR HISTORY

Making Maine's History Count
Your participation and support of Maine Historical Society makes a meaningful difference in the kinds of exhibits and

educational programming we can offer our members, friends,

MMN #6121

and communities across the state.

Here's how you can help:

Become a Member
Give to the Annual Fund
Leave a legacy through Planned Giving
Make a Tribute Gift

For more ways to give, or to become a corporate sponsor,
call us at 207-774-1822 ext. 206.

MHS WEBSITES

Maine Historical Society	Museum Store
Maine Memory Network	Museum Catalog
Vintage Maine Images	Library Catalog
Maine History Online	Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

STAY CONNECTED

MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

489 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101

207-774-1822

This Week at MHS is your online source for exhibits, programs, and events.