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 - June - Columbus Day. Tours offered Monday through Friday at 1:30pm, and on select special weekend dates. See details.
Library Tours - First Wednesday of the month at noon (with a few exceptions). See below for next scheduled tour.
April Programs
Wednesday, April 3, 12:00 – 12:45 pm
Behind-The-Scenes Library Tour (FREE)
Nicholas Noyes
With Nicholas Noyes, Curator of Library Collections
This engaging 45-minute interactive tour takes you throughout our beautiful Brown Research Library and into the archive (normally closed to the public.) Nicholas Noyes shares his expertise on the building's history, the basics of doing library research and a few treasures from the collection.
Location: MHS Brown Research Library
Free and open to the public. Limited to 10 = Sign up in advance by emailing nnoyes@mainehistory.org or calling 774-1822 x207.
Thursday, April 18, 6:00 – 8:30 pm
Film Screening
DAWNLAND
We invite you to join us for a special screening of DAWNLAND: A Documentary about Cultural Survival and Stolen Children, followed by an engaging panel discussion with filmmakers from The Upstander Project and Maine-Wabanaki REACH.
For most of the 20th century, US government agents systematically forced Native American children from their homes and placed them with white families. As recently as the 1970s, one in four Native children nationwide were living in non-Native foster care, adoptive homes or boarding schools. Many children experienced devastating emotional and physical harm by adults who mistreated them and tried to erase their cultural identity.
Now, for the first time, they are being asked to share their stories. The feature-length, award-winning documentary DAWNLAND follows Maine's Truth and Reconciliation Commission to contemporary Wabanaki communities to witness intimate, sacred moments of truth-telling and healing. The film's groundbreaking process and never-before-seen footage reveals the untold narrative of Indigenous child removal in the United States.
This screening is one of many programs related to our exhibition HOLDING UP THE SKY featured in our main gallery from April 12, 2019 to February 1, 2020.
Location: MHS Shettleworth Lecture Hall
Free and open to the public
May Programs
Wednesday, May 1, 12:00 – 12:45 pm
Behind-The-Scenes Library Tour (FREE)
Nicholas Noyes
With Nicholas Noyes, Curator of Library Collections
This engaging 45-minute interactive tour takes you throughout our beautiful Brown Research Library and into the archive (normally closed to the public.) Nicholas Noyes shares his expertise on the building's history, the basics of doing library research and a few treasures from the collection.
Location: MHS Brown Research Library
Free and open to the public. Limited to 10 = Sign up in advance by emailing nnoyes@mainehistory.org or calling 774-1822 x207.
Friday, May 10 – Saturday, May 11, 2019
The Magical History Tour & Mr. Longfellow's Cocktail Party
Our fifth annual exploration of fascinating historic sites in Greater Portland will include places your friends and family have never seen – and maybe didn’t even know existed! The Magical History Tour is their key to unlocking fascinating historical places around Portland that are not usually open to the public.
It's a self-guided tour guaranteed to amaze and amuse both adults and children. Equipped with a map, and at your own pace, you and your friends will be greeted by guides at each location ready to share the history of the tour stop. You’ll find out where the tour will take you when you get your map on Saturday, May 11 - or join us for the grand reveal at Mr. Longfellow’s Cocktail Party Friday, May 10 at Portland's Masonic Hall.
+Mr. Longfellow's Cocktail Party: Friday, May 10 (5:30 - 8:00 pm)
+Magical History Tour: Saturday, May 11 (10:00 am - 4:00 pm)
Ticket prices range from $25/$35 for the Tour ($5 kids) to $75/$85 for Tour and Cocktail Party Combo.
Click here to view all ticket options and to purchase today!
Program Podcasts
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Group Trips
Splendors of the Nile River & Ancient Jordan
September 28 - October 13, 2019. From $6,672 per person
Maine Historical Society is pleased to announce its 2019 trip—The Splendors of the Nile River and Ancient Jordan! We will begin in Egypt for 12 adventure-filled days and experience the Nile's most wondrous sites in style and luxury on an eight-day voyage onboard the all-suite Uniworld River Tosca—a manner once reserved for queens and pharaohs! From Egypt we are on to a 5 day visit to Jordan, a land rich in natural wonders and sites so ancient, that by comparison, the Crusader forts guarding the old trade routes are considered recent additions. Get Trip Details.
Exhibitions
Holding Up the Sky: Wabanaki People, Culture, History & Art
April 12, 2019 through February 1, 2020
MHS Gallery
Explore Wabanaki philosophies of leadership and obligation relating to humans and non-humans over 13,000 years in what is now known as Maine. Wabanaki voices contextualize present-day relevance of 400 years of shared histories between Wabanaki people and immigrants to their region through 17th century colonial treaties, photographs, and contemporary artworks—everything from ash baskets to haute couture fashion.Read More
Doing Good: Medical Stories of Maine
Presented by Partners for World Health
February 9 through April 27, 2019
Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr. Lecture Hall
Throughout Maine's history, individuals have worked to improve and expand medical care, not only for the health of those living in Maine, but for many around the world who need care and help. This exhibit explores the organizations, individuals, and technology that has worked to keep us all healthy. Read more.
Maine Memory Network - Over 300 Online Exhibitions
Offers online access to numerous Web–based exhibits and a constantly growing collection of over 46,000 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.
