Pejepscot History Center

08/13/2026

You never know what you're going to find when you open something inside the Skolfield-Whittier House in Brunswick! Learn more and get tickets to visit at https://pejepscothistorical.org/

08/13/2026

🚩 To wrap up our month of highlighting some of the Maine State Museum’s favorite flags, today we’re focusing on a truly iconic collection item: the famous 20th Maine Civil War Battle Flag. 🚩

The men of the 20th Maine carried this flag during the Battle of Gettysburg. Amidst the fierce fighting at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, the 20th Maine was instructed to hold its position on Little Round Top at all costs. Failure would put the entire Union line in jeopardy. Running low on ammunition, Colonel Joshua Chamberlain gave the order to fix bayonets and charge the Confederate line. The 20th Maine succeeded in the attack, although forty men died and ninety were wounded.

For their heroism, Chamberlain and Color Sergeant Andrew Tozier were both awarded Congressional medals of honor. For many years, the men of the 20th Maine kept their battle flag from Little Round Top. They gave it to the State of Maine in the early 1900s.

🎖️ To learn more about the incredible life and legacy of Joshua Chamberlain, visit the Chamberlain Museum, run by Pejepscot History Center in Brunswick: https://pejepscothistorical.org/visit/the-joshua-l-chamberlain-museum/

📷 Image ID 1: 20th Maine Gettysburg Flag, Philadelphia, PA, 1862-1863, MSM 69.125.156
📷 Image ID 2: General Joshua Chamberlain, ca. 1860-1865, courtesy of the Library of Congress. Reproduction #: LC-DIG-cwpbh-03163. Though Joshua Chamberlain was only the rank of ‘Colonel’ during the Battle of Gettysburg, he earned the rank of Brigadier General in June of 1864, after he sustained nearly fatal injuries at the Second Battle of Petersburg.

Pejepscot History Center

08/03/2026

Our annual fund represents one-fifth of our yearly revenue. We are more than halfway there! Join the gang who have already made their donation and make yours today at https://pejepscothistorical.org/annual-fund/. THANK YOU!

(And see more great photos like this 1891 Harpswell picnic spread from our collection at https://hub.catalogit.app/pejepscot-history-center/folder/photograph-collection.)

07/16/2026

See why people call the Skolfield-Whittier house a true time capsule. This sneak peek inside will whet your appetite for a visit. Learn more at https://pejepscothistorical.org/visit/.

07/04/2026

Yes, he did. And we’ve just published a book about it! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Maines-Place-in-History/Joshua-Chamberlain/9781608937622

As the United States approached its 100th birthday in the latter half of the 19th century, some Americans began to push for a gigantic birthday bash to highlight the growth

07/03/2026

Join us on Friday, July 10, at the First Parish Church vestry for Jared Peatman’s talk in Brunswick! He’s an amazing speaker and knows his subject backwards and forwards. Books for sale and signing. Details and tickets: https://share.google/bx2ImGWi8MP9AlVBw.

Jared Peatman, who since middle school has been researching the group known for its role in the Battle of Gettysburg, plans to give talks in Brunswick, Canaan and Madison.

06/30/2026

At last Saturday's 250th Celebration, we called back to colonial quilt making with an activity that encouraged kids and adults alike to draw and combine their own "quilt squares" into a community piece. Thanks to everyone who participated, and the quilt remains in our exhibit here at the history center-feel free to pop in and add more squares!

06/27/2026

06/27/2026

Come down to the Mall! Music lasts until noon, activities to 1pm. Happy 250th!