Events at Member Institutions

Presented by Castine Historical Society, Wednesday, August 16, 7:00 pm, Delano Auditorium, Leavitt Hall, Maine Maritime Academy, Castine. 

James Eric Francis Sr, the Penobscot Nation's Director of Cultural and Historic Preservation and Tribal Historian, will speak on "Penobscot Sense of Place". No reservations required to attend in-person. Visit castinehistoricalsociety.org for the YouTube link to watch remotely.

 Thursday, July 17, 7:00 pm

Dr. Stephen J. Hornsby of the University of Maine will be speaking on New England, Castine, and the cod trade in the 19th century. A book sale and signing follows for his new publication “Cod Coasts: Cultural Landscapes of the Cod Fishery from Cape Cod to Labrador“. Mitchell Room, Castine Historical Society. Reservations required to attend in-person. See details and register for the in-person event or watch the livestream on YouTube at castinehistoricalsociety.org.

Join us for a free reception to meet the new Executive Director and to view the exhibits.  Refreshments will be served. No reservations required.

Tate House Museum to Hold Annual Spring Plant Sale May 17, 2025 

Wide Range of Annuals, Perennials, Herbs, Succulents, Native Plants for Sale Benefitting the Museum

Gently Used Garden Books and Tools for Sale

Book Signing with Award-Winning Author Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Raffle of One-Of-A-Kind Handmade Birdbath

Portland—Tate House Museum will hold its popular annual Spring Plant Sale from 9 am - 1 pm on Saturday May 17, 2025.   

This year, there will be a wide variety of beautiful blooms on offer - ranging from annuals, perennials and herbs to succulents and native plants. All plants are locally grown and will be something for everybody, experienced gardeners and beginners alike. Additionally,  members of the Tate House Gardening Committee will be on hand to answer questions and help you find the right plant for you.

This year, the sale will feature a range of gently used garden books to help inspire your spring garden planning, as well as pre-owned tools for sale, all donated by local neighbors.

Stroudwater resident and award-winning children’s author and illustrator Maryann Cocca-Leffler will be signing copies of her latest book, Marabella’s Moment, along with other titles. Maryann is also a potter and has donated a stunning, one-of-a-kind bird bath crafted in her charming home studio to be raffled on the day.  Raffle tickets can be purchased online https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tate-house-museum-annual-plant-sale-and-raffle-tickets or at the plant sale, with the prize drawing taking place at the conclusion of the sale at 1 pm.

All proceeds benefit the Tate House Museum, the only pre-Revolutionary building in Cumberland County open to the public and whose mission is to invite everyone to experience 18th century life in Maine.  

The Tates House is located at 1267 Westbrook Street in Portland.

For more information, visit: tatehouse.org.

FMI: Holly K. Hurd

Tate House Museum

1267 Westbrook Street

Portland ME 04102

hkhurd@tatehouse.org

 

Tate House Museum Presents “Birth of the American Revolution” in collaboration with the Stroudwater Neighborhood Association and Maine Ulster-Scots Project

Portland—Tate House Museum is commemorating the Semiquincentennial of the events of 1775 that marked the beginning of the American Revolution 250 years ago with a free program open to the public on the evening of April 18 from 7:00-8:30 pm. The program will feature the hanging of two lit lanterns on the flagpole at the Means House to remember the two lanterns placed in the belfry of the Old North Church as a signal that the British were moving to Lexington-Concord by sea (the Charles River). This action aligns with a nationwide call for all statehouses in the U.S. to hang “Two Lights for Tomorrow” (see america250.org/event/two-lights-for-tomorrow) on the evening of April 18. Our program includes a colonial-dressed portrayal of a member of the Tate family, youngest son Robert Tate, who trained as a minuteman of Portland (then Falmouth) and was called up at the Lexington alarm. The program will feature a reading of the Longfellow poem “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere,” and a brief account of James Means and fellow Ulster-Scots who served in the American Revolution.

The Means House is located at 1267 Westbrook Street in Portland and all are welcome to join as witnesses in this commemorative event. Mustering begins at 7:00 pm and the historical program will commence at 7:30 pm. Refreshments provided by the team of collaborators.

For more information about each organization visit their websites: tatehouse.org,

stroudwaterassociation.org, and maineulsterscots.com

FMI: Holly K. Hurd

Tate House Museum

1267 Westbrook Street

Portland ME 04102

hkhurd@tatehouse.org

ᖃᓪᓗᓈᖅᑕᐃᑦ ᓯᑯᓯᓛᕐᒥᑦ  Printed Textiles from Kinngait

This exhibit will be on display from May 20 - October 26, 2025

This exhibit is on loan from the Textile Museum of Canada in collaboration with the West Baffin Cooperative of Kinngait, Nunavut, Canada.

This installation of the exhibit was made possible by a generous grant from The Coby Foundation, Ltd. and the Russell and Janet Doubleday Endowment.

More information about ᖃᓪᓗᓈᖅᑕᐃᑦ ᓯᑯᓯᓛᕐᒥᑦ  Printed Textiles from Kinngait can be found below:

https://www.bowdoin.edu/arctic-museum/exhibits/2025/printed-textiles-from-kinngait-studios.html

CANTON, Maine—The Canton, Maine Historical Society will hold its annual fundraising party on Saturday, February 1, from 6-10 p.m., at their historic building, 25 Turner Street. The theme of this year’s party is “It’s Summer Somewhere!”

“If you are looking for a prescription to cure your cabin fever, look no further.  We have your remedy,” said Phyllis Ouellette, President of the Canton Historical Society Board of Directors.

The gala event will feature a catered dinner by Boondocks Farm and a cash bar by Backwoods Affair. The public is invited to wear summer clothes and dance to the music provided by DJ Jason Lee from Rustic Beats. Enjoy beach decor, door prizes, limbo and hula hoop contests.

Tickets cost $25 per person and may be purchased on the website: www.cantonmehistory.org. The building has a maximum occupancy, so tickets may sell out in advance and not be available at the door.

Area businesses are also invited to sponsor this event. Different sponsorship levels include promotions and/or tickets. Email cantonmehistorical@gmail.com for details.

The proceeds from the “It’s Summer Somewhere” party will be used to fund the Society’s efforts to preserve Canton’s history, maintain the restored Hayford Hall, and host community events.

The Canton Historical Society is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization devoted to the preservation and celebration of Canton's heritage, history, and community. The Society maintains a museum that exhibits furniture, artifacts, photographs and documents related to Canton’s history. During the winter, the museum and gift shop are open on the second Saturday of each month, from 10-2. The building is handicap accessible, with ramps and a stairlift chair.

Canton Maine Historical Society
25 Turner St., Canton ME 04221
207-597-0048

cantonmehistorical@gmail.com

http://www.cantonmehistory.org/

The Tate House Museum is hosting A Colonial Christmas on Saturday, December 14 from 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM with Christmas-themed interpretations in the Tate House from 12 noon- 3:00 pm. During this 3-hour Open House, visitors will experience the Tate House seasonally decorated for the period, hear performers in 18^th  century attire describing colonial customs and traditions around the holidays in a merchant-class British colonial household, and participate in colonial games. New this year: LIVE harp and lute music by the Colonial Troubadours and photos under the Tate House door arbor with dressed performers. Visitors will hear about the special foods and drinks made for Christmas, New Years, and Twelfth Night celebrations and enjoy colonial-inspired refreshments in our Visitors Center, the Means House, at 1267 Westbrook Street, Portland throughout the event. 

From 3:00-3:30 pm, enjoy a visit from Tate family neighbors in the Means House, and from 3:30-4:30 pm, join our colonial tavern keeper as he prepares and shares the popular colonial drink “FLIP” in 18^th century fashion. Enjoy a tree lighting with carol singing at 4:30 pm. 

Our Gift Shop will be open with unique colonial-themed gifts offered at a 10% discount that day only! We have beautiful new marble tile tree ornaments which come with a $5 discount to A Colonial Christmas. 

Admission prices are as follows: $18 adults, $12 students (ages 13-17), $10 child (6-12 years), under 6 free, $45 family (2 adults and up to 2 children under 18).

*Discounts*

Members: $16 adult, $10 student, $8 child, $40 family  Girl and Boy Scouts, Homeschool Families, and Stroudwater Neighborhood residents receive THM member prices!

Advance tickets can be purchased at  www.tatehouse.org or at Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tate-house-celebrates-a-colonial-christmas-tickets-1102468877089?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tickets will also be sold at the door.  Half price entry with a *NEW* THM membership at the door.

Come out to celebrate the holiday season and support the educational mission of Tate House Museum!

FMI:

Holly Hurd, Executive Director

Tate House Museum

1267 Westbrook Street

Portland ME 04102

hkhurd@tatehouse.org

Tate House Tours for Veterans on November 11 th

Portland—Tate House Museum would like to thank those who have served our country by offering free tours of the Tate House on Veterans’ Day November 11 th . Veterans are invited to bring a guest for a complimentary one hour guided tour of the house located at 1267 Westbrook Street in Portland. Three tours are offered on the hour at 12:00 noon, 1:00 pm,and 2:00 pm. Tour group sizes are limited so ensure your place by reserving free tickets in advance at tatehouse.org.

Tate House is the only colonial house in the greater Portland area open to the public and offers a unique experience of life in 18th century Maine. At the historic home of George Tate, Maine’s last Mast Agent, docents describe how New England forests fueled colonial industry, strengthened the British Royal Navy, and sparked rebellion.

FMI: Director Holly K. Hurd

Tate House Museum

1267 Westbrook Street

Portland, ME 04102

hkhurd@tatehouse.org

207-774-6177

Portland—Beer, beer, beer! You can never know too much when it comes to beer and ale in the 18 th century. Come join our Tate House Museum docents on October 12 as they take you on an afternoon of education and entertainment surrounding the making of beer in colonial times. This all-new tour will enlighten our guests as to the role of servants in brewing and other kitchen duties. Learn what “pounded cheese” was, how to make it, and enjoy a sample.What did the colonials learn from Indigenous people that impacted their foods and its preparation? Cocktails from beer? You’ll be introduced to beverages you may want to try.

ColoniAle consists of a one-hour beer-centric house tour followed with a social time in the backyard of the Tate House where you will be given a Tate House pint glass and 2 pints of Mast Landing ale. Mast Landing Brewing is the generous sponsor of our event and is providing guests with their signature ale. Imbibing is encouraged!!!

Tours are on the hour at 3:00 and 4:00 PM with a social hour following from 4:00- 6:00 PM. General admission is $30 and $20 for Tate House Museum members. Timed tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coloniale-2024-at-the-tate-house-tickets-1028197304817

or at our website: www.tatehouse.org .

FMI:Holly K Hurd

Tate House Museum

1267 Westbrook Street

Portland ME 04102

hkhurd@tatehouse.org

207-774-6177