Upcoming Programs & Events
Program fees and registration details are listed in the program description. Programs for MHS members are free or discounted. Support MHS by becoming a member today. All programs take place at our facilities at 489 Congress Street in Portland, unless otherwise noted. Click here for Directions or Parking information.
Please review our Refund and Return Policies for tickets and event admissions.
If you have questions about any of the programs listed below, please contact us at (207) 774-1822.
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Ongoing Programs
Wadsworth-Longfellow House Tours - Daily, May - October. See details.
Exhibition Galleries (self-guided) - Changing schedule, year-round. See details.
Historical Walking Tours of Portland - Daily, June - Columbus Day weekend. See details.
Library Tours - First Wednesday of the month at noon (with a few exceptions). See below for next scheduled tour.
June Programs
Tuesday, June 19, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Beer in the Garden: Manuscript Maps
NEW TIMES!
Join us for beer and snacks, a rare opportunity to enjoy our historic garden in the evening, and a chance to see some very special artifacts from our collections!
Free for MHS Members; $5 general admission. Must be 21+. RSVP not required – drop in any time! Apply your program fee to MHS membership!
Beer in the Garden is sponsored by The Maine Brew Bus.
See a full list of all Beer in the Garden programs.
Wednesday, June 20, 10:30 am
The Children's Hour: Lobsterman
Join us for the reading of Dahlov Ipcar’s Lobsterman followed by crafts and activities for the whole family. Learn about lobstering in Maine and the lives of these curious crustaceans! Try your hand at drawing a lobster and making other sea creature crafts!
Featuring special guest reader Rachel Fecteau, deckhand and stern man from Lucky Catch Cruises, and a special guest crustacean!
All are welcome, recommended for ages 4-9. All children must be accompanied by a caregiver.
The program will be held in Longfellow Garden (weather permitting) and is free to the public. Registration is appreciated. Light refreshments will be provided.
To register or request information on this or other programs in this series please contact Manager of Education and Interpretive Programs, Kathleen Neumann at 207-774-1822, ext. 214, email kneumann@mainehistory.org.
The Children's Hour Summer Schedule:
+June 20: Lobsterman, by Dahlov Ipcar. Guest reader: RRachel Fecteau of Lucky Catch Cruises.
+July 11: Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey. Guest reader: Rebecca Can Damm of Portland Food Co-op.
+August 8: Two Old Potatoes and Me , by John Coy and Carolyn Fisher. Guest reader: Rebecca Can Damm of Portland Food Co-op.
+August 22: Before We Eat: From Farm to Table, by Pat Brisson and Mary Azarian. Guest reader: Mary Ellen Chad of Green Spark Farm.
Wednesday, June 20, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Josiah: Film Screening and Discussion
Join us for a screening of JOSIAH, a new documentary that traces Josiah Henson’s harrowing journey from slavery in Maryland and Kentucky to freedom in Canada.
Josiah Henson (1789-1883) spent 41 years as a slave. He was a dynamic, driven man with unyielding principles who overcame incredible odds to escape his cruel masters and improve the lives of hundreds of freed people throughout his long life. His story inspired the main character in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a book that made people realize the brutal reality of slavery and fanned the flames of the Civil War. Including interviews with leading experts and Henson descendants, JOSIAH is an unmissable documentary about one of history’s greatest lost figures.
Free for MHS and Abyssinian Meeting House members / $5 general admission
Thursday, June 21 – Thursday, October 11, 2018
Find Your Place in History: Discover Your Roots and Take a Peek Behind the Scenes at the Maine Historical Society
On Thursday afternoons, from June to October, spend a few hours going back in time!
With a small group of like-minded peers, in the beautiful Maine Historical Society’s Brown Research Library, prepare to explore history on all levels: from the history of your own family to artifacts that help tell the story of western civilization.
+ Dig back into your own family story and piece together the people from your past.
+ See some of the most amazing artifacts in the vast collections of the Maine Historical Society.
+ Put on the white gloves and explore our archives—off limits to our regular visitors.
+ Finally, celebrate your accomplishments in the Longfellow garden--smell the flowers and taste a few traditional Maine treats!
This is a guided introduction to genealogical research—not for experienced genealogists. To ensure you have the most fascinating experience, bring the names and birthdates of a few relatives to your session.
Ticket Price: $75 each. There is a maximum of 6 people per tour. The deadline to register for each event is the Monday prior to the event.
All tickets are sold for specific tour dates and times.
Tours begin at the MHS Museum Store at 489 Congress Street.
Event Dates & Times:
(register for each event by clicking the links below)
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for June 21st from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for June 28th from 4:00-5:30pm SOLD OUT
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for July 5th from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for July 12th from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for July 19th from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for July 26th from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for August 2nd from 4:00-5:30pm SOLD OUT
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for August 9th from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for August 16th from 4:00-5:30pm SOLD OUT
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for August 23rd from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for August 30th from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for September 6th from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for September 13th from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for September 20th from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for September 27th from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for October 4th from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for October 11th from 4:00-5:30pm
For more information or for assistance purchasing tickets, contact us at 207-774-1822.
Friday, June 22 – Friday, August 24, 2018
Foodie Fridays at the Wadsworth-Longfellow House
Join MHS on the fourth Friday of the month for Foodie Fridays to explore and experience the foodways of Maine’s past!
Take a delectable food-themed tour of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House and help make and sample a historic dessert. Participants will also take home a copy of a vintage recipe from MHS collections. History never tasted so good!
Tour Dates & Times:
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for June 22nd from 5:30-6:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for July 27th from 5:30-6:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for August 24th from 5:30-6:30pm
Tours will begin in the MHS Museum Store at 489 Congress Street. Limited paid parking is available in the MHS lot on Brown Street after 5pm.
Ticket Price: $20 for MHS members, $25 general admission. Tours are limited to 14 guests. For more information or for assistance purchasing tickets, contact us at 207-774-1822.
Wednesday, June 27
History Adventures Day Camp: Foods of Our Forefathers
presented by Maine Historical Society & Victoria Mansion
History has never tasted so good! Learn about delicious dishes from the past and how to prepare them with this hands-on historic cooking experience! Campers will learn about traditional foods and historic recipes, serving up a delectable 19th century inspired lunch. Each camper will also go home with their own copy of a cookbook of our favorite Foods of Our Forefathers recipes.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 27, 9am-2pm; campers will serve a small lunch at 1pm for their invited guests.
WHERE: Maine Historical Society, 489 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
WHO: Students in 3rd-6th grades
COST: $50 MHS and Victoria Mansion members, $65 general admission
To request more information, or to register offline, contact Kathleen Neumann, MHS Manager of Education & Interpretive Programs, kneumann@mainehistory.org, 207-774-1822, ext. 214 or Stacia Hanscom, Victoria Mansion Director of Education, shanscom@victoriamansion.org, 207-772-4841, ext. 104.
Register Here!
July Programs
Wednesday, July 11, 10:30 am
The Children's Hour: Blueberries for Sal
Join us for the reading of Robert McCloskey’s Blueberries for Sal followed by crafts and activities for the whole family. Learn all about growing and harvesting
blueberries in Maine.
Featuring special guest reader Rebecca Van Damm, Portland Food Co-op Community Engagement Coordinator.
All are welcome, recommended for ages 4-9. All children must be accompanied by a caregiver.
The program will be held in Longfellow Garden (weather permitting) and is free to the public. Registration is appreciated. Light refreshments will be provided.
To register or request information on this or other programs in this series please contact Manager of Education and Interpretive Programs, Kathleen Neumann at 207-774-1822, ext. 214, email kneumann@mainehistory.org.
The Children's Hour Summer Schedule:
+June 20: Lobsterman, by Dahlov Ipcar. Guest reader: RRachel Fecteau of Lucky Catch Cruises.
+July 11: Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey. Guest reader: Rebecca Can Damm of Portland Food Co-op.
+August 8: Two Old Potatoes and Me , by John Coy and Carolyn Fisher. Guest reader: Rebecca Can Damm of Portland Food Co-op.
+August 22: Before We Eat: From Farm to Table, by Pat Brisson and Mary Azarian. Guest reader: Mary Ellen Chad of Green Spark Farm.
Thursday, July 12, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Book Talk: Maine Roads to Gettysburg
The story of Colonel Joshua Chamberlain and the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry on Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg has entered into legend. But there’s much more to Maine at Gettysburg than that one regiment. The state’s soldiers made their presence felt all over the Pennsylvania battlefield during three days of fighting in July 1863—and during the two years of war before that. In a talk about his new book, Maine Roads to Gettysburg, author Tom Huntington tells stories about soldiers from the Pine Tree State who made their presence felt during the Civil War’s biggest battle.
About the author:
Maine native Tom Huntington is the author of Searching for George Gordon Meade: The Forgotten Victor of Gettysburg, as well as Guide to Gettysburg Battlefield Monuments, Pennsylvania Civil War Trails, and Ben Franklin’s Philadelphia. His latest book is Maine Roads to Gettysburg (Stackpole Books, 2018). He is also the former editor of American History and Historic Traveler magazines, and his writing has appeared in many publications, including Smithsonian, Air & Space, American Heritage, Invention & Technology, British Heritage, and Yankee. Although born and bred in Augusta, he now lives in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, not far from Gettysburg.
Free for MHS Members; $5 general admission
Tuesday, July 17, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Beer in the Garden: Longfellow in the Longfellow House
NEW TIMES!
Join us for beer and snacks, a rare opportunity to enjoy our historic garden in the evening, and a chance to see some very special artifacts from our collections!
Free for MHS Members; $5 general admission. Must be 21+. RSVP not required – drop in any time! Apply your program fee to MHS membership!
Beer in the Garden is sponsored by The Maine Brew Bus.
See a full list of all Beer in the Garden programs.
Saturday, July 21, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Farming on the Edge: Past and Present
Farming, Demmark, 1911. Collections of Maine Historical Society. MMN Item# 7618
A wagon ride, history tour, animals, and ice cream!
Created as a pioneering organic farm in the 1950s, Wolfe’s Neck Center on Wolfe’s Neck in Freeport continues to work at the forefront of agricultural practices and research—at the same time preserving its unique historic buildings and landscapes with stunning views of beautiful Casco Bay. Make a Saturday escape to rural Maine just a quick half hour from Portland and immerse yourself in the world of the farm, past and present. In the lively barnyard, staff will introduce you to its new dairy apprentice program, its cutting-edge research in ways farming can combat climate change, and its educational, recreational, and community programming. Then board a farm wagon to see how the farm is preserving and repurposing its historic buildings, including the farmstead of an 18th-century sea caption on a hill overlooking the sea. End your morning with ice cream and snacks at the Farm Café.
--Rain date is August 4th--
This tour is recommended for guests aged 12 and older.
Ticket Price: $15 for MHS members, $25 general admission. For more information or for assistance purchasing tickets, contact us at 207-774-1822.
Monday, July 23 – Friday, July 27, 2018
Junior Docent Camp 2018
at Maine Historical Society and the Wadsworth Longfellow House
Ever wonder what life was like before video games? Looking for a chance to step back in time? Want to be a history detective?
Participants in the Junior Docent Camp will explore life in 18th and 19th century Portland and go behind the scenes of Maine’s oldest historic house museum. The camp is based at the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, boyhood home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The mix of indoor and outdoor activities will include 18th and 19th century games, crafts, cooking, and storytelling. We will learn how Henry and his siblings played, dined, studied, cleaned up, and even how they got into trouble!
Participants will have the opportunity to meet and work with library and museum staff. At the end of the week, all participants will be fully trained and prepared to give a tour of the house to family members and guests. After the tour, families and campers are encouraged to join us in the Longfellow Garden for a brown bag lunch and Henry’s favorite treat!
WHEN: Monday, July 23 - Friday, July 27, 9:00am - 1:00pm daily
WHERE: Maine Historical Society, 489 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
WHO: Students entering 3rd - 5th Grades
COST: $150 for MHS members, $200 general admission
To request more information, or to register offline, contact the Manager of Education and Interpretive Programs at (207) 774-1822 ext. 214 or kneumann@mainehistory.org.
Register Here!
Monday, July 30 – Friday, August 3, 2018
Adventures in History Camp 2018
at Maine Historical Society and Victoria Mansion
Ever wish you had a chance to explore the history of a whole city? Want to see and learn about amazing things that few people get to see? Looking for a chance to step back in time?
Participants in the Adventures in History Camp will have the chance to go behind the scenes at not one but two of Portland’s premier historic sites; Maine Historical Society and Victoria Mansion! Campers will learn about material culture and life in the Victorian era through an exciting mix of indoor and outdoor activities, special field trips, and hands-on instruction from experts in historic preservation and traditional arts. We will get a glimpse of life in the past by exploring photography, cooking, arts and crafts, and even spooky cemetery symbolism!
Participants will meet and work with a variety of museum staff and volunteers including curators, historians, educators, docents, and artists. At the end of the week, all participants will gather at Maine Historical Society to share their newfound knowledge and skills in a historian’s showcase for family members and guests. After the presentation, families, and campers are encouraged to join us in the Longfellow Garden for a brown bag lunch and celebration!
WHEN: Monday, July 30 - Friday, August 3, 9:00am-3:00pm daily.
WHERE: Maine Historical Society, 489 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101 and Victoria Mansion 109 Danforth Street, Portland, ME 04101
WHO: Students entering 6th-8th grades or Junior Docent Camp graduates
COST: $150 MHS and Victoria Mansion members, $200 general admission
To request more information, or to register offline, contact Kathleen Neumann, MHS Manager of Education & Interpretive Programs, kneumann@mainehistory.org, 207-774-1822, ext. 214 or Stacia Hanscom, Victoria Mansion Director of Education, shanscom@victoriamansion.org, 207-772-4841, ext. 104.
Register Here!
August Programs
Wednesday, August 8, 10:30 am
The Children's Hour: Two Old Potatoes and Me
Join us for the reading Two Old Potatoes and Me by John Coy (author) and Carolyn Fisher (illustrator) followed by crafts and activities for the whole family. Learn all about growing and harvesting potatoes in Maine.
Featuring special guest reader Rebecca Van Damm, Portland Food Co-op Community Engagement Coordinator.
All are welcome, recommended for ages 4-9. All children must be accompanied by a caregiver.
The program will be held in Longfellow Garden (weather permitting) and is free to the public. Registration is appreciated. Light refreshments will be provided.
To register or request information on this or other programs in this series please contact Manager of Education and Interpretive Programs, Kathleen Neumann at 207-774-1822, ext. 214, email kneumann@mainehistory.org.
The Children's Hour Summer Schedule:
+June 20: Lobsterman, by Dahlov Ipcar. Guest reader: RRachel Fecteau of Lucky Catch Cruises.
+July 11: Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey. Guest reader: Rebecca Can Damm of Portland Food Co-op.
+August 8: Two Old Potatoes and Me , by John Coy and Carolyn Fisher. Guest reader: Rebecca Can Damm of Portland Food Co-op.
+August 22: Before We Eat: From Farm to Table, by Pat Brisson and Mary Azarian. Guest reader: Mary Ellen Chad of Green Spark Farm.
Tuesday, August 21, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Beer in the Garden: Highlights from the Costume Collection
NEW TIMES!
Join us for beer and snacks, a rare opportunity to enjoy our historic garden in the evening, and a chance to see some very special artifacts from our collections!
Free for MHS Members; $5 general admission. Must be 21+. RSVP not required – drop in any time! Apply your program fee to MHS membership!
Beer in the Garden is sponsored by The Maine Brew Bus.
See a full list of all Beer in the Garden programs.
Wednesday, August 22, 10:30 am
The Children's Hour: Before We Eat
Join us for the reading Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson (author) and Mary Azarian (illustrator) followed by crafts and activities for the whole family. Learn all about farming and harvesting food in Maine.
Featuring special guest reader Mary Ellen Chad, of Green Spark Farm.
All are welcome, recommended for ages 4-9. All children must be accompanied by a caregiver.
The program will be held in Longfellow Garden (weather permitting) and is free to the public. Registration is appreciated. Light refreshments will be provided.
To register or request information on this or other programs in this series please contact Manager of Education and Interpretive Programs, Kathleen Neumann at 207-774-1822, ext. 214, email kneumann@mainehistory.org.
The Children's Hour Summer Schedule:
+June 20: Lobsterman, by Dahlov Ipcar. Guest reader: RRachel Fecteau of Lucky Catch Cruises.
+July 11: Blueberries for Sal, by Robert McCloskey. Guest reader: Rebecca Can Damm of Portland Food Co-op.
+August 8: Two Old Potatoes and Me , by John Coy and Carolyn Fisher. Guest reader: Rebecca Can Damm of Portland Food Co-op.
+August 22: Before We Eat: From Farm to Table, by Pat Brisson and Mary Azarian. Guest reader: Mary Ellen Chad of Green Spark Farm.
September Programs
Tuesday, September 18, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Beer in the Garden: School Days
NEW TIMES!
Join us for beer and snacks, a rare opportunity to enjoy our historic garden in the evening, and a chance to see some very special artifacts from our collections!
Free for MHS Members; $5 general admission. Must be 21+. RSVP not required – drop in any time! Apply your program fee to MHS membership!
Beer in the Garden is sponsored by The Maine Brew Bus.
See a full list of all Beer in the Garden programs.
October Programs
Tuesday, October 16, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Beer in the Garden: Mourning Rituals
NEW TIMES!
Join us for beer and snacks, a rare opportunity to enjoy our historic garden in the evening, and a chance to see some very special artifacts from our collections!
Free for MHS Members; $5 general admission. Must be 21+. RSVP not required – drop in any time! Apply your program fee to MHS membership!
Beer in the Garden is sponsored by The Maine Brew Bus.
See a full list of all Beer in the Garden programs.
This is the final Beer in the Garden of the season. We'll see you again in May!
Program Podcasts
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Group Trips
Vietnam & Cambodia: The Charms of the Mekong
October 13-28, 2018 - From $4,979 per person
Join MHS as we cruise along the Mekong River, visiting rural villages, historic pagodas, local markets and a Buddhist monastery, where we'll be treated to a special blessing by monks. Our inner adventurer spirit will be indulged in Seam Reap, exploring grand temples of Angkor Archeological Park—and we'll be treated to an overnight sojourn on board an elegantly appointed ship in Ha Long Bay. Get Trip Details.
Exhibitions
Maine Eats: The Food Revolution Starts Here
March 2, 2018 through February 9, 2019
MHS Gallery
Food is a universal building block of life—if we don't eat, we will die. But food has a power that goes far beyond biology. The food we eat shapes our lives and our memories. Sourcing food, preparing food, and eating food are all part of the heartbeat of Maine's culture and economy. Maine Eats: The Food Revolution Starts Here explores Maine's relationship with food and innovative food solutions to challenges through diverse stories from around the state. Read More
Eye in the Sky
April 11 through September 30, 2018
Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr. Lecture Hall
Featuring aerial photographs from MHS' Portland Press Herald glass negative collection, the exhibition provides a glimpse into the 1920s and 30s, through one of Maine's most significant media influences. Read More
Maine Memory Network - Over 300 Online Exhibitions
Offers online access to numerous Web–based exhibits and a constantly growing collection of nearly 45,000 historical documents, images, and objects contributed by as many as 270 organizations around Maine. New exhibits added regularly. Go to www.mainememory.net.
Regional Genealogy Programs, Events, and Conferences
Find out about regional conferences and other family history instruction and workshops.
