Maine State Archives

We maintain the permanently valuable records of Maine state government and make them available to the public, and manage state agency records.

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

A summer of fires in 1947 led to sweeping changes in fire fighting throughout the State, including starting volunteer fire departments with national standards training. Those fires killed 16 people and cost more than $423 million in damages.

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

SAVING YOUR WATER DAMAGED PHOTOS: Whether you’re facing a hurricane, or recovering from a flooded basement, here’s an easy-to-follow guide: https://t.co/vYzKLnOsEo

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

Today is National Hot Mulled Cider Day!
The recipe we’ve posted below from the @UMaineExtension is for all, the “adult” version can be enjoyed with rum. Bon Appetit!
https://t.co/bCuYGuWW09

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

On this date in 1950, a Mainer set a potato-picking world record!

Walter Sirois picked 235 barrels of potatoes in 9.5 hours, which weighed more than 19 tons! His achievement was published in the 1988 Guinness World Book of Records.

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

Today is National Pancake Day!
For a free recipe, UNE and DHHS have a free website that has a pumpkin pancake recipe even kids can help make:
https://t.co/84DUgUoN0C

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

Today is National Lobster Day!
Last year, lobster accounted for 46% of the total harvest off the Maine coast. Fishers hauled over 42 metric tons of the crawling crustacean for a gross profit of nearly half a billion dollars!

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

On this date in 2010, at 11:02pm, a Maine-made man entered the Guinness Book of World Records. Bob Marley took the stage at the Comedy Connection in Portland, and did 40 hours of standup comedy. He was only allowed a 25 minute nap and raised $12k for a local children’s hospital.

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

Happy Birthday, Bowdoinham!

On this date in 1762, the Massachusetts General Court incorporated the area as the “Town of Bowdoinham”, named after its deeded owner Bostonian William Bowdoin.

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

We at the Archives want to wish all our readers a happy National Cheeseburger Day!
We want to know where YOU go for the best burger. Tell us and tag the business in the comments below where you think anyone SHOULD go for that moment of pure bliss.

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

Today is National Apple Dumpling Day!
On one sunny day in 1944, photographer George French stopped by the Apple Acres Farm in Hiram for a photo of the harvest. We hope you find some time soon to stop by your favorite orchard make your own.

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

Yesterday was the anniversary of the first female elected to the Maine House of Representatives. Dora Pinkham of Fort Kent beat William Audibert for his seat in the Maine House of Representatives. She was also one of two of the first women elected to the Maine State Senate.

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

On this date in 1917, Maine women failed to gain the legal right to vote.

The bill passed the House thanks to then-Representative Percival Baxter (113-35) and the Senate thanks to Senator Guy Gannett (35-0). Voters, who were all men, defeated the referendum with a 65% majority.

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

On this date in 1957, Maine changed the state constitution to move the general election from September to November, aligning the state with the rest of the nation. Voters also approved changes to term limits for the state governor and doubled how long each term could last.

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

Today is National Food Pantry Day. According to Feeding America, 13% of Maine's population are food insecure. Children have it worse with at nearly 19% (about 46,000 kids). Help your neighbors by volunteering or donating at your local food pantry: https://t.co/XNSbMpPQoS

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

On this date in 1813, the USS Enterprise defeated the HMS Boxer during the War of 1812 off the coast of Monhegan Island. The victory came at a cost, as both commanders died from the battle. Despite their differences, both men are buried in Portland’s Eastern Cemetery.

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

The Maine Shared History group is putting on a day-long workshop to help you bring more of Maine's history to your chalkboards. This takes place September 25th at Woodlawn in Ellsworth. Click here to RSVP:
https://t.co/OScMbmGkL0

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

On this date in 1902, an American president visited Bangor. Hoping he pronounced “Bangor” in the correct way, he told thousands of onlookers that good government takes time and personal investment of citizens everywhere.

Link: https://t.co/QE0zjHVE9o

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

Spend this National Women’s Equality Day supporting one of the nation’s most pivotal woman, Frances Perkins. Her family is from Maine and their home is vying for President Biden to designate it as a national monument. Learn more: https://t.co/3TbicOS0MB.

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

On this date in 1942, one of Disney’s most Maine-influenced and iconic films was released. Damariscotta-native Maurice Day painted and photographed Baxter State Park to build a work for Bambi, while Rumford-native Frank Churchill composed all of the film’s music.

[Maine State Archives @MEArchives]

On this date in 1692, a minister from Wells was hanged for Witchcraft. George Burroughs of Wells was hanged in Salem after being accused of being a secret Baptist. He recited the Lord’s Prayer on the gallows, which counted as evidence of his innocence, and was hanged.