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Author: Torie Levesque
News, Objects, Artifacts, & Specimens
A Flag, A Cane, and A Governor’s Best Friend
June 1, 2023 was the 100th anniversary of the death of then-Governor Percival Baxter’s beloved Irish setter, Garry II. The death of a Maine governor’s pet seems an unlikely event to note 100 years later. But Baxter’s actions following Garry’s passing made headlines around the country and are still remembered today. Baxter’s response to the criticism […]
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Objects, Artifacts, & Specimens
Coming Together
In May 2023, members of the Tartre family gathered from across the country – California to Maine – to reconnect over a christening gown and accessories that they each wore on their baptism.
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Objects, Artifacts, & Specimens
Maine’s Official Tourmaline Necklace Takes Two Tacks
One necklace in Maine shows great vision for the future as well as some degree of short-sightedness. The necklace, officially titled the Maine Tourmaline Necklace, was beautifully crafted by Maine artisan Addison Saunders using local gold and tourmaline. In 1977, the necklace was donated to the State of Maine and presented to the Maine State […]
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Around the Kennebec Valley: The Herman Bryant Collection Presentation by Author Gay Grant
On October 20, 2022, author Gay Grant presented a slideshow about her latest book Around the Kennebec Valley: The Herman Bryant Collection – featuring images from one of the Maine State Museum’s most significant photograph collections. Watch the video below to learn more!
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Objects, Artifacts, & Specimens
Mi’kmaq Artisan Recalls Baskets and the Potato Harvest
“It’s sad to see the fields all grown up today where there used to be farms,” said Richard Silliboy, a Mi’kmaq artisan who specializes in making utility baskets. Basketmaking goes back for generations in Richard’s family. Richard’s mother Mary Ann used to make and sell potato baskets to farmers and businesses in Aroostook County. “One […]
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Objects, Artifacts, & Specimens, Videos
Museum Moments: The Ice Box
The rise in the use of ice by individuals was in part due to the improvements in ice boxes, specifically incorporating insulation and circulation for better food preservation. By the mid 1800’s the ice box was commonly found in middle class American homes. The Kennebec River dominated the ice harvesting industry in Maine, providing more […]
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Museum Moments: E.T. Burrowes Car
The E.T. Burrowes Company was located on the current site of the Cross-Insurance Arena in Portland. They were known for making sliding window screens and later pool tables. They also made a total of about 20 cars. In 1908 workers from the Portland Company (located on Fore Street in Portland) were enlisted to build the […]
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Museum Moments: Fall in Maine
Though it is always hard to say goodbye to summer and prepare for the coming winter, nothing compares to a Maine autumn. The colorful leaves and crisp air signal there’s much to be done at this distinctive time of year. Let’s take a walk around the Museum and focus on some changes that Fall brings. […]
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Eating Maine History: Sunset Salad
Welcome to our Eating Maine History series, where we dive deep into the Maine State Museum’s collections to bring you the old, weird, and maybe even tasty foods of Maine’s past. This episode’s recipe is Sunset Salad, a recipe from the 1956 Village Cookbook out of Yarmouth, Maine. Read more about Sunset Salad and see […]
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Museum Moments: Summer in Maine
Maine is year-round vacationland, but summer is especially busy! Visit summers of the past in this Museum Moments video. Revisit the vacationland we know and love. Watch the video below to learn more!
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