Tate House Museum is having a fundraiser on the evening of September 26, 2023 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM to benefit preservation of the historic Tate House. The event is generously hosted by the Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education. Guests will have the opportunity to privately view rare historic maps and globes from the library’s collections guided by Professor Matthew Edney, Osher Chair in the History of Cartography. Professor Edney will cap off the evening with an entertaining and informative talk, “Mapping Colonial New England in Manuscript and Print.” This illustrated lecture will explore the complex interplay involved in the mapping of colonial New England among politicians, administrators, military officers, scholars, land owners, and the public on both sides of the Atlantic.
The event features a wine and cheese reception with expansive views of Portland from the 7th floor of the Glickman library followed by map and globe viewing, and culminates with the mapping lecture and a dessert reception.
In describing the evening, Tate House Museum Executive Director Holly K. Hurd says “This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to view the exquisite space and impressive collection of rare maps at Maine’s premier map library while supporting preservation of the 1755 Tate House. We are excited to partner with the Osher Map Library to bring colonial mapping history to life for the Greater Portland community!”
A special auction and raffle of reproduction prints from Tate House Museum’s collections offer guests the chance to take home their very own piece of history. Supporters can participate in the auction or raffle without being present at the event. Map lovers seeking a framed facsimile of a rare 1720 map of Casco Bay by English cartographer Cyprian Southack can bid online until 7:00 pm the night of the event. Supporters can buy raffle tickets online or in person to win one of two reproduction prints. The first is A Plan of Ancient Portland (then known as Falmouth) ~ Circa 1688 ~ With Additions of Later Points of Historic Interest by Ray Gailey. Engraved by James H. Gallagher and published by R. H. Gailey in 1946, this map comes in a handsome period-style frame and depicts early Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and the island of Casco Bay. The second is “Night,” a charming and whimsical engraving by William Hogarth. First published in 1738 as part of a four-part series, The Four Times of Day, “Night” is a caricature depicting the chaos-filled city streets of London after dark. This print comes with a $100 gift certificate that can be used toward framing.
In addition to the Osher Map Library, our generous sponsors include: The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Maine, Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine, Grapheteria Custom Framing, Matrix Absence Management, Preservation Timber Framing, Barba & Wheelock Architects,and Casco Bay Frames & Gallery.
The event will take place at the Osher Map Library, 314 Forest Avenue in Portland, with registration and wine/cheese reception starting at 5:30 pm. Fundraiser tickets are limited and offered at $75 per person. They may be purchased online at www.tatehouse.org. Parking is available nearby at the University of Southern Maine garage for $4/hr.
FMI: contact Holly K Hurd
hkhurd@tatehouse.org
207-774-6177
Tate House Museum
1267 Westbrook Street
Portland ME 04102
