Events at Member Institutions

Polly Forcier will present a virtual lecture on Historic Stencils from  1790-1840+. Beginning with “Border Wall Stencils” from c.1790-c.1820, she will then discuss all-over wall stencils in imitation of wallpaper. She will go on to discuss the stencils used in the Rufus Porter School of Wall Stencil Murals. She will end with a brief "how to" on stenciling. Tickets are free with a suggested donation. Get your tickets here!

Poland Maine - The Poland Spring Preservation Society will hold the annual "Maine Day" Open House on Saturday May 25th from 9-3pm at the Maine State Building, 37 Preservation Way, Poland Maine. 

Join us as we open the doors for the 129th anniversary of the Maine State Building at Poland Spring! See the new exhibits, play games related to the World's Fair, learn about the heritage of the Maine State Building and the 1893 Columbian Exposition, and visit the gift shop with local Maine made crafts and more. "Maine Day", May 24th, 1893 at the World's Fair served as the official dedication of the Maine State Building in Chicago, Illinois. A reception was held in the rotunda led by Governor Henry B. Cleaves and other prominent Mainers. At noon, an address was made detailing the work of the board and its efforts to showcase the materials, work and design of Maine craftsmanship. The building was then declared open to the public. At the end of the fair, the building was purchased by the Ricker family of Poland Spring, dismantled and rebuilt at Poland Spring Resort for use as a library and art gallery. It is 1 of just 5 buildings that remain from the 1893 World's Fair, and the only state building that remains. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend! 

FMI https://www.facebook.com/events/433483299142769/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A%5B%5D%7D or call 207-998-4142

CANTON, Maine—The Canton Historical Society will hold a Chili and Chowder Cook-off on
Saturday, April 6, 12-2 p.m., at their historic grange building, 25 Turner St., Canton

Local chefs will prepare their favorite chili or chowder for the contest. The public will sample and vote for the best in each category. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12. The admission fee includes bread, beverages, and dessert as well as all the chili and chowder samples you can eat! 

The museum and gift shop will be open to the public during this event. Housed in the back of the recently restored 1897 Grange building, the museum exhibits furniture, artifacts, photographs and documents related to the history of Canton and the region.

See you there and bring your appetite!

Saturday, September 7: Hidden Legacies: A Walking Tour of Castine’s African American History, 10:00 a.m. Join Georgia Zildjian and Lisa Lutts for an hour-long walking tour on Castine’s African American history. Reservations required and limited to 15 people. Rain date September 8.

https://www.castinehistoricalsociety.org/events/hidden-legacies-a-walking-tour-of-castines-african-american-history-2/

Thursday, August 8: The 15^th Annual Deborah Pulliam Memorial Lecture, 7:00 p.m. Hans D. Strauch, Boston architect, will give a talk entitled "Rising from the Ashes: Building on Restituted Family Property in Post-Nazi Berlin, Germany.”  Delano Auditorium, Leavitt Hall, Maine Maritime Academy, Castine. No reservations for in-person. Reservations required to receive YouTube link.

https://www.castinehistoricalsociety.org/events/pulliam-lecture-with-hans-strauch/

Join us on Thursday, July 18th at 7:00 p.m. for an illustrated talk by Castine Historical Society Executive Director, Lisa Simpson Lutts entitled, “A History of Castine in 40 Objects.” The talk will be held in-person in the Mitchell Room of the Castine Historical Society, 17 School St., Castine, as well as livestreamed on the CHS YouTube channel. Due to limited seating, reservations are required for the in-person lecture.

Lutts’ talk will explore objects in the Castine Historical Society’s permanent collection that tell unexpected and compelling stories about the town’s 400-year history. Based on research conducted for the Historical Society’s current exhibit, also titled “A History of Castine in 40 Objects,” Lutts will highlight some of the exciting discoveries made by the staff and exhibits committee while researching the CHS permanent collection.

Visit castinehistoricalsociety.org to register or to find the YouTube link.

 

“Art of Penobscot Bay—A Sampler,”  Saturday, June 29, 4:00 p.m. An illustrated talk by Carl Little on paintings of the Penobscot Bay area through time followed by a book signing for his new book, Art of Penobscot Bay. Co-sponsored with Compass Rose Books. Mitchell Room, Castine Historical Society. Reservations required due to limited seating.  https://www.castinehistoricalsociety.org/events/art-of-penobscot-bay-a-sampler/

The Castine Historical Society invites the public to its free annual Open House Reception on Saturday, June 22  from 4:00-6:00 p.m.  This early evening reception is a great way to view the Historical Society’s 2024 exhibits including The History of Castine in 40 Objects. The event is also a good chance to meet old and new friends and enjoy light refreshments. No reservations are required to attend.

“Castine in the Civil War,” an illustrated talk by Diane and Ned Smith, Civil War historians and authors will be held on June 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Mitchell Room of the Castine Historical Society. In their talk, the Smiths will discuss their research into Castine’s soldiers who served during the Civil War. In particular, they will delve into the treasure trove of letters written home by Private Henry Butler who served for four years in the 16^th Maine Regiment before his untimely death just before the war ended.

 Reservations required for in-person attendance or to receive on-line viewing link.

https://www.castinehistoricalsociety.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=7845&action=edit&classic-editor

JANE'S WALK ME 2024 Mark Your Calendar for Saturday, May 4th

Maine Preservation is excited to be collaborating with Friends of Congress Square Park, Greater Portland Landmarks, Maine Downtown Center, and Portland Downtown to bring Jane's Walk to communities across Maine. Last year, nearly 40 walks were held in 26 cities and towns, such as: A Walk Through Two Wars, in Castine Cochrane's Gem of Monmouth: Cumston Hall and its Community Create Your Own Museum in the Streets of Stonington Engineering, Stormwater Design, and Trails in Our Downtown, in Westbrook Exploring the Historic Middle of Middle Road & the Middle of Parsonsfield in the Middle 1800s My Queer Portland: A Walk Back in Time to the 1980s & ‘90s Of Cows and Crabs: the Evolution of the Wells Reserve at Laudholm Walking on Coals: Farmington's Great Fire of 1886 Wild and Delicious Houlton And DOZENS more! Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 4, and stay tuned for more news about free walks near you!

Learn More About Jane's Walk ME! www.janeswalkme.org

LEAD A JANE'S WALK Free to Participate

Anyone can lead a Jane’s Walk—including YOU! Whether you are affiliated with an organization or an impassioned individual, Jane’s Walk is an opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with your community. Deadline for submission is March 31.

I have a Jane's Walk idea! www.janeswalkme.org/submit-a-walk/

Ellsworth, ME.

Portland, ME.

CELEBRATING PLACE What is Jane's Walk and Who Was Jane Jacobs?

Jane’s Walk is a global festival of free, volunteer-led walking conversations inspired by community activist Jane Jacobs. Jane’s Walks combine the simple act of exploring a place with personal observations, local history, and civic engagement. The annual Jane’s Walk festival takes place the first weekend in May, in more than 200 cities and towns around the globe.  Jane Jacobs was a community activist and writer who lived from 1916-2006. She is best known for galvanizing her neighbors to stop a highway from being built through their community. She believed in the power of individuals to influence the places they live. Today, her principles represent the participatory planning approaches that have been embraced in communities around the world.

SUPPORTING WALK LEADERS New Resources to Expand Jane's Walk ME

The 2024 festival in Maine is supported by Sappi North America as part of its Ideas That Matter program and will incorporate the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Working with designer Willy Wong, coordinating partners have expanded Jane’s Walk Maine by creating a core festival identity and platform, designing a new organizer outreach campaign, a walk leader training toolkit, as well as marketing and promotional efforts to support the festival—all towards the goal of engaging more Mainers in this annual tradition and empowering them toward social impact.

Learn More About Jane's Walk ME! www.janeswalkme.org/explore-walk-leader-faqs/