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Current Exhibits
Museum
Dressing Up, Fitting In, Standing Out: Adornment & Identity in Maine (Through May 27, 2012)
Lecture Hall Gallery
Take to the Streets! (Through March 31, 2012)
Showcase Gallery
Student art work from our Local History/Local Schools program
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Winter Hours
Museum & Museum Store: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm
Brown Library: Tues-Sat 10am-4pm
The Wadsworth-Longfellow House is closed for the season. Guided tours resume in May.
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Spotlight On
Nick Noyes
Head of Library Services
Background
This February marks Nick's 24th year at MHS. He grew up in Portland and attended Portland High School, Hebron Academy, and Dickinson College, and earned his MLS at Columbia University. Nick spent 20 years working in the hotel industry in Kennebunkport before switching gears to the library world.
Library Life
Nick worked at the Columbia Teacher's College Library in New York and at the Goodall Memorial Library in Sanford before coming to MHS. When asked his favorite part of his job, Nick replied "Working in reference and helping people make discoveries in their work." His favorite collection in the MHS library: the John Mead Gould diaries.
Fun Facts
* Nick is a member of the Society of Colonial Wars, the Mayflower Society, the Sons of the American Revolution, and other heraldry associations.
* His personal interest in genealogy has led him to add 60,000 names to his family tree.
* Nick resides in Mechanic Falls with his wife, Margaret, and vacations on Monhegan Island.
* He has a huge and diverse collection of neckties.
* Often heard saying: "There's no such thing as an historical emergency."
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Maine Facts & Trivia
What in the WORLD?
"Like" us on Facebook and tune in each week for What-in-the-World?- Wednesdays when we present mystery artifacts from our collections and you guess what they are! We reveal the answer on our blog. We hope you'll play along!
Here's a recent What-in-the-World? Wednesday artifact and some of your guesses!
Guesses from Facebook followers:
- Christmas Tree Stand
- A mold for stepping stones/paving bricks
- A form for making a priest's biretta
- A food masher
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Digital History from Maine Memory Network
Historical Photograph:
Fort Allen Park, Portland, ca. 1890 
MMN Item #13694 Efforts are underway to restore Fort Allen Park in Portland. The park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, contains the original earthen berm from Fort Allen, which was established in 1814 to protect the entrance to Portland Harbor. The Park's iconic bandstand, carriage drive, and overlook were built in the 1890s. In 1905, the renowned Olmsted Brothers landscape firm created a master plan for the Eastern Promenade, including Fort Allen Park. The Park's original design exemplifies the ideals of the Olmsteds' signature landscapes. To learn more about the Fort's restoration and how you can weigh in at upcoming public workshops, visit the Friends of Eastern Promenade. |
MHS News
Maine Historical Society Presents
The Richard D'Abate Lectures: Conversations About History, Art, and Literature
In May, Richard D'Abate will retire after 16 years as Executive Director of Maine Historical Society. We are pleased to recognize his many contributions to MHS and Maine's cultural life through a special program series that will run from March through May.
The series will explore a topic near to Richard's heart--the connections between literature, art, and history--and one that has helped shape MHS's approach to Maine history during his tenure. It will bring a first-class group of historians, writers, artists, and thinkers to MHS, and honor the friendships and collaborations that have characterized Richard's career. We hope you can join us.  Programs and Dates Tuesday, March 6, 12pm Longfellow's Shadow: A reading of poems by Wesley McNair and Betsy Sholl Thursday, March 15, 7pm Hold On: The Privilege of Keeping Old Things Safe with Nicholson Baker, Author Tuesday, April 3, 12pm Perspectives on Maine History: Maine at Work, 1860-1900 with Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr., Maine State Historian; and William Bunting, Historian, Author, and Master Storyteller Thursday, April 5, 7pm The Nature of Lost Things with Rosamond Purcell, Photographer Thursday, April 19, 7pm The Civil War of 1812 with Dr. Alan Taylor, Professor of History, University of California, Davis Thursday, May 10, 7pm Saving Second Nature: The Environmental Movement in New England with Dr. Richard W. Judd, Professor of History, University of Maine, Orono Thursday, May 24, 7pm The Mysterious Penobscot Belle: Early Photography & a Forgotten Wabanaki Encampment in Portland in the mid-1800s with Harald E.L. Prins and Bunny McBride, Kansas State University Click on the bold program titles for more information on our website. This program series is supported by the Maine Humanities Council and the Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust.  
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MHS Announces
The Richard D'Abate Fund
The Trustees of MHS have announced the creation of the Richard D'Abate Endowment Fund for Scholarship and Special Programs. This endowed fund will provide support for visiting scholars, scholars-in-residence, special lectures, exhibits, and other events. Until now, MHS has not had a dedicated fund specifically to advance scholarly activity and programs. Please join us in recognizing Richard by supporting this important fund. You can do so today using our secure online donation form. Thank you!
For more information, please contact the Development Office at (207) 774-1822, ext. 231 or by email.
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February Programs
Saturday, February 11, 1pm
In Partnership with Portland Ovations
Documentary Screening: Old Maine's Swedish Farms
This 30-minute documentary chronicles Maine's unique Swedish history through interviews with six residents of Maine's Swedish Colony. The film, which will be looped throughout the afternoon, is being screened in partnership with Portland Ovations in advance of the upcoming February 16 performance by Vasen, a trio of Sweden's best musicians. Included with MHS museum admission. Free for Ovations & MHS members.
Tuesday, February 21, 7pm
Public Parks: Care and Cultivation of Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth
 | | Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, Fort Williams, 1942. #17243 |
This is the first in a 4-part series that explores the landscape of Greater Portland. This panel and discussion, presented in partnership with Greater Portland Landmarks, will explore current initiatives to develop sustainable funding models for the park, preserve historic features, create an arboretum, and provide appropriate visitor amenities. Suggested donation: $10 ($5 for MHS/GPL members)
Saturday, February 25  | | Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1868. #4111 |
Join us for a family party to celebrate Longfellow's 205th birthday! The party will include readings of Longfellow poems by MPBN's Irwin Gratz, Herb Adams' reading of The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, crafts, and cake! 1pm: Longfellow and Bull: The Poet and the Virtuoso With speaker Charles Kaufmann, Artistic Director, The Longfellow Chorus
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Ole Bull. Courtesy Boston Athenaeum
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Join us to learn about Longfellow's friendship with violinist Ole Bull (1810-1880). Bull performed for kings, queens, and presidents, and his colorful temperament inspired artists, writers, and poets around the world.
MHS Programs Sponsor
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MHS Annual Gala
The Mad Hatter Affair
Hats off to Richard!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
The Woodlands, Falmouth
Join us for our annual Mad Hatter Affair on Saturday, May 5th. The evening, one of MHS's most important fundraisers, includes a reception and dinner, hat parade, live and silent auctions, a live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby, and music and dancing with the Tony Boffa Band! The evening will also include a special tribute to Richard D'Abate. Join the fun and support MHS!
For tickets, corporate sponsorships, or to advertise in our program book, contact Elizabeth Nash, or download the flyer.
Media Sponsor 
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Museum Store
Commemorative Spoons
DISCOVERED IN THE STOCKROOM!
Sterling Silver commemorative spoons of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House. 5 �" long. Gift boxed. A limited number are available, so when they are gone...they're gone!
Visit us at 489 Congress Street in Portland. Museum store winter hours are Monday through Saturday 10am-5pm.
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