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.
February Programs
Tuesday, February 12 – Friday, February 15, 2019
Love in the Longfellow House Tours 2019
Love in the Longfellow House Tours 2019
Love is a many-splendored thing, and what could make it more splendid than a night of poetry, bubbly refreshments, and strict Victorian courtship rituals? Make this year’s Valentine’s Day one for the history books and bring your special someone to a love-themed tour of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House! This special stroll through the historic home of Portland’s favorite poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow will be illuminated with tales of the dating customs of yesteryear (ever hear of a bundling board?) and of the many loves, romances, and even heartbreaks of the Wadsworth and Longfellow families. When two Wadsworth sisters fell in love with the same man, whom did he choose? How did Henry win over the love of his love of his life after a series of rejected proposals? And did the poet really spend his honeymoon at his parent’s house?! Learn all the delectable details on this night of fun, fancy, and of course, love!
Prior to the tour guests will enjoy a glass of champagne or sparkling cider and will leave with a reproduction print of a lovely vintage valentine from our collection, as well as a rose.
Tour Dates & Times:
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for February 12 from 6:00-7:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for February 13 from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for February 13 from 6:00-7:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for February 14 from 4:00-5:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for February 14 from 6:00-7:30pm
+ Click to Purchase Tickets for February 15 from 6:00-7:30pm
Ticket Price: $30 per couple for MHS members; $45 per couple for general admission.
Reservations are required and can be purchased by clicking the link above. All tickets are sold in pairs (1 purchase = 2 tickets) and each tour is limited in number. All tickets are sold for specific tour dates and times.
Tours begin at the MHS Museum Store at 489 Congress Street. For more information or for assistance purchasing tickets, contact us at 207-774-1822.
March Programs
Wednesday, March 6, 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, March 15, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Planning Your Community's Commemoration
Bicentennial or Bust!
Maine Historical Society and the Maine Humanities Council are co-hosting a Bicentennial kickoff event on March 15th (Maine’s 199th Birthday). Come join local leaders from across the state to get the tools and ideas you need for a successful bicentennial commemoration!
Discover how your community can get started; what resources are available to support your efforts; and how to connect with statewide bicentennial initiatives.
Cost: FREE
Location: Morgan Hill Event Center, Hermon, Maine
REGISTER NOW online at Maine Humanities Council and also see the day's program.
Space is limited. Mileage reimbursement is available.
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.
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
Maine Eats: The Food Revolution Starts Here
March 2, 2018 through March 2, 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
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.
