January 26, 2015
MHS NEWS
Storm Closings & Book Group Date Change
If you're planning on visiting MHS this week, be sure to call us first (207-774-1822) or check our Facebook page to confirm that we're open. In the event of a storm closing, we'll post that information to our phone system and social media in the early morning. 

Our book group, originally scheduled to begin January 27, has been rescheduled for February 3. If you didn't get a chance to sign up by the deadline and would still like to participate, you're in luck--we have a handful of slots available. Contact Larissa Vigue Picard at 774-1822 ext. 215. 
It's Maine Nonprofit Week
To see how we're celebrating Maine Nonprofit Week, visit our Facebook page. We'd love to hear how you became interested in MHS, how you engage with history, and what you'd like to see from us this year!
Magical History Tour: Save the Date!
Detail. Press Herald Building at 119 Exchange/175-179 Federal Street, Portland, 1924. Portland Tax Record, MMN #52057.
On Saturday, May 2, 2015, join us for a tour of some fascinating historic sites in Portland that you have never seen--and maybe didn't even know existed! We've gained access to some very special places that will delight and amaze both adults and kids. The mystery sites will be revealed at a cocktail party we're hosting on Friday, May 1--even the location of the party is part of the fun: the new Press Hotel. Located in the former Portland Press Herald building, the new hotel embraces its history and celebrates the newspaper theme throughout. You'll get a sneak peek just weeks before the hotel's grand opening!

We'll keep you posted with details in our e-Connection, so keep reading each week! 
MHS Historian's Forum on Architecture

We'd like to invite you to attend the 2nd Annual Historian's Forum on Friday, February 20, from 1:00 to 5:30pm. This year's forum focuses on architectural collections as a key part of the historical record. Attendees will view selections from the Society's extensive collection of Maine architecture, hear from scholars working closely with our collections, and discuss collecting and cultivating architectural drawings as primary resource documents.

 

Learn more on our blog, or buy your tickets online. 
Become a Portland History Docent

The Portland's History Docents Program (PHD) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year! Please join us for this year's training and receive knowledge, experience, and friendships that last a lifetime.

 

Learn all about this program, and how to apply, on our blog. 

 

When: Every Thursday morning from 9:00am  - 12:00pm; March 5 - April 30, 2015

Cost: $30, or $20 with a valid student I.D.

New England Regional Fellowship Consortium

The application deadline for New England Regional Fellowship Consortium (NERFC) funding for 2015-2016 is February 1, 2015. The NERFC, a collaboration of 21 major cultural agencies, will offer at least 15 awards in 2015-2016. Each grant will provide a stipend of $5,000 for eight or more weeks of research at participating institutions.

 

To apply online or for more information, visit www.nerfc.org. For questions, e-mail fellowships@masshist.org. 
DIGITAL HISTORY
Cutting Ice, Norcross, ca. 1900
This image, created by Albert Francis Fowler, depicts men harvesting ice at Norcross Cove on North Twin Lake. The Norcross Hotel stored ice blocks in an ice house, using it to cool their large walk-in refrigerator. In the the background are the steamboat wharf cribwork and Rice Cottage. 

Last week, Candace Kanes and Tilly Laskey (Maine Memory Network's Curator, and Content Assistant, respectively) worked with The Norcross Heritage Trust. The Trust is dedicated to preserving the town history of Norcross (on the West Branch of the Penobscot) where there was, for a brief and particular time, a thriving community that included a hotel, guide service, and dock at North Twin Lake along the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad lines. 

The Trust learned about MMN at an outreach event in Bangor in 2007, and last week the group become a new MMN contributor, adding 21 items online.

Find more images from the Norcross Heritage Trust on the Maine Memory Network. 
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
FEATURED PROGRAM: Saturday, January 31, 1:30pm 
Presented by Spirits Alive:
Post Mortem Mourning Practices in 18th and 19th Century New England
 
Mrs. William H. Herbert post-mortem portrait, ca. 1843. MMN# 49706
In addition to wearing only black apparel for up to a year, mourners in New England abided by fashions and customs that demonstrated intense grief. Libby Bischof is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Southern Maine and a board member of Spirits Alive, the friend's group of Portland's historic Eastern Cemetery, and will lead us in an exploration of these practices, utilizing examples from Maine Historical Society's collections.

A mini-exhibit of mourning-related objects from the MHS collections will compliment this program, and be on display through February 7.


This program is free and open to the public.
Thursday, January 29, 5:00 - 7:00pm

Program: Local History Local Schools Celebration

Hall Elementary School 

Location: MHS Student Gallery and Lecture Hall

Price: Free

Details: Students from Portland's Hall Elementary School present the results of their month long Local History Local Schools units of study based on the current MHS gallery exhibition, Home: The Longfellow House and the Emergence of Portland. Read more online.
Saturday, January 31, 1:30pm

Program: Post Mortem Mourning Practices in 18th and 19th Century New England

Presented by Spirits Alive

Speaker: Libby Bischof, Associate Professor of History, USM

Location: MHS Lecture Hall

Price: Free

Details: Online.
Tuesday, February 3, 12:00pm

Program: The History of Political Cartoons

Speaker: Erin Bishop, Director, Maine Archives & Museums

Location: MHS Lecture Hall

Price: Free for MHS members & $5 non-members; pay at the door

Details: Online.

February 5, 6, 12, 13, 14
6:00- 7:30pm 

Tour: Love in the Longfellow House: Couples Guided Tour

Location: Wadsworth-Longfellow House

Price: $40/couple for MHS members; $50/couple for non-members

Tickets: Tickets are available online, and are selling out quickly!

Details: See below. 
Tuesday, February 10, 3:30 - 4:30pm

Program: The Children's Hour, for children ages 4-9 and their caregivers

Book: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
Craft: Colorful paper collages

Location: MHS Lecture Hall

Price: Free

Registration: Encouraged. Please contact Kathleen Neumann at 774-1822 ext. 214. 

Details: Online.
Wednesday, February 18, 12:00pm

Program: Vintage Valentines at MHS-Online and On the Shelf

Speakers: Kathy Amoroso and Nancy Noble

Location: Brown Library Conference Room

Price: Free

Registration: Required. Contact Kathy Amoroso at 774-1822 ext. 227.

Details: Online.
HOUSE TOURS
Love in the Longfellow House: Couples Guided Tour

Act Now! Tickets are selling quickly!
19th century valentine. MMN #4137

"Love keeps the cold out better than a cloak." 

 

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,
From The Spanish Student

Bring your special someone to a love-themed tour of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House in celebration of Valentine's Day. Come hear about 19th century courtship rituals and the family's many romances, heartbreaks, marriages, and more-including Henry's honeymoon! 

Prior to the tour, enjoy locally-made chocolates by Haven's Candies, a glass of champagne or sparkling cider from Maine Beer & Beverage, and leave with a reproduction print of a vintage valentine from our collection, and roses from Harmon's & Barton's.

Tour Dates:
February 5, 6 (SOLD OUT!), 12, 13 and 14 from 6:00 - 7:30pm.

Reservations are required and each tour is limited to six couples. 

Cost: $40 per couple for MHS members; $50 per couple for non-members.

Buy your ticket online or contact John Babin, Visitor Services Manager, at jbabin@mainehistory.org or 774-1822 ext. 212.
WINTER HOURS
Wadsworth-Longfellow House in Winter, ca. 1920. MMN #11418

Gallery & Store

Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: Closed

Brown Library

Wednesday - Saturday: 10am - 4pm
ONGOING PROGRAMS & EXHIBITIONS

 

Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr. Lecture Hall 

Wholesome Habitations: Architectural Collections of the Maine Historical Society 

 

Showcase Gallery 

Remembering Our Visit: Souvenir China and Mementos of the Longfellow House

 
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MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
489 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
207-774-1822

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