Maine Historical Society

10/23/2026

By popular demand—we’ve added extra slots to our Haunted For 100 Years Tours. They always sell out, book today!

Join MHS on October 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30, 2026 for an evening tour of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House in the week leading up to Halloween! We will be conjuring the memories of those who breathed their last within these walls with a special and spooky event that will savor the spirit of Longfell...

10/23/2026

Our Broadside of the Declaration is in good (and very rare) company, as it sits with three other copies, all in one visit. See them for yourself. we’re at Maine State Museum Archives until 5 pm (Oct. 23) today. Join us.

10/22/2026

Stop 15 of our Statewide Tour brings us to the Maine State Archives!

MHS Executive Director Steve Bromage joined Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Maine State Archives Executive Director Christian Cotz to congratulate Maine State Museum on their re-opening, and reflect on how meaningful it's been engaging Mainers in conversations about the declaration, history, and what life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness mean to them.

Catch us while you can! Walk-ins are welcome. Open Friday Oct. 23, 9 am - 5 pm.

10/21/2026

Picks of the Patch.

Young women with pumpkins, Portland, ca. 1935. Portland Press Herald glass negative collection of Maine Historical Society. MaineMemory.net #103856

10/19/2026

The words of the Declaration of Independence mean something different to each of us but they tie us together, and can unite us. We have just two more tour stops on our statewide tour: Kennebec County (Maine State Museum Archives, Augusta) and Cumberland County (Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Brunswick).
Join us for a very special experience and be a part of the conversation. Reserve your free spot at mainehistory. org. Or walk on in.

10/16/2026

The Declaration of Independence has inspired Americans to personal action since our founding. Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith's Declaration of Conscience, delivered to Congress on June 1, 1950 in the face of McCarthyism, is a powerful example for all Mainers and Americans.

We have three more tour stops on our statewide tour: Androscoggin County (Maine MILL, Lewiston); Kennebec County (Maine State Museum Archives, Augusta); and Cumberland County (Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Brunswick). Join us for a very special experience and to be part of the conversation about how the Declaration inspires each of us to act.

Visit mainehistory.org to reserve your free spot. Or walk on in.

10/15/2026

Hey History buffs...Do your coworkers’ eyes glaze over when you bring up the Teapot Dome scandal? Are you looking for a social circle where people won’t avoid eye contact when you mention the 1849 gold rush, Francis Perkins or Civil War reenacting? Join us at October's installment at Apres. 5:30 pm.

10/15/2026

The words of the Declaration of Independence mean something different to each of us but they tie us together and can unite us. We have three more tour stops on our 16-county tour of Maine: Androscoggin County (Maine MILL); Kennebec County (Maine State Museum Archives, City of Augusta) & Cumberland County (Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Town of Brunswick). Join us for a very special experience and be part of the conversation! Visit Mainehistory.org to book your spot - or walk on in.

10/13/2026

Generation after generation, pursuing our ideals. Three more chances to see the Declaration of Independence in Maine. Join us, share what our founding words mean to you, and be part of the conversation.

10/12/2026

Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day! The lands and waters of Ckuwapohnakiyik ("the Dawland") have been stewarded by Wabanaki peoples since time immemorial. View our online exhibit 'Holding Up the Sky' to learn about Wabanaki people, history, and art.

Learn about Native diplomacy and obligation by exploring 13,000 years of Wabanaki residence in Maine through 17th century treaties, historic items, and contemporary artworks—from ash baskets to high fashion. Wabanaki voices contextualize present-day relevance and repercussions of 400 years of shar...