Traveling Through Maine 200 Years Ago

Defining Maine – Interactive Map & Educational Materials

Explore an interactive 1820 map and journal

In 1820, the District of Maine became an independent state. Much of northern and eastern Maine was wilderness, and the boundaries were not clearly defined. Maine’s first Governor, William King, sent Major Joseph Treat to survey the northeast section of Maine. Treat enlisted the help of John Neptune, lieutenant governor of the Penobscot tribe, to guide him across the Wabanaki homeland.

Treat kept a detailed journal chronicling their journey, describing the condition of the land, settlements, Native camps, timber resources, and evidence of illegal logging operations.

Joseph Treat

Bangor, Maine, ca. 1830. Courtesy of Jeannette Washburn and the Bangor Public Library

Penobscot Lt. Gov. John Neptune

Penobscot Lt. Gov. John Neptune, 1836. Maine State Museum, 79.40.283

Educational Materials

In the following activities, students will analyze excerpts from Treat’s journal entries to explore what Maine looked like in 1820. Students will be prompted to draw conclusions about how our understanding of the land and its resources has changed over time.

Defining Maine Intro and Teacher Guide

Map Journaling

Taking a Closer Look

These worksheets actively guide students through a close analysis of the writing and drawings from the 1820 journey. They use Treat’s journal and the Moses Greenleaf map as a primary source.

Taking a Closer Look Intro and Teacher Guide

Learn

Meet Maine here.