Executive Branch

The governor heads the executive branch of Maine government, which is composed of the Executive Department and the various specialized departments. (The other branches are the judicial and the legislative.) Executive agencies have been frequently “reorganized” with mergers, divisions, and occasionally abolition.  See some resources describing the history of “government reorganization” efforts in the Additional…

Health and Human Services

Prior to 1975 known as the Department of Health and Welfare, the mission of this executive department is to protect and preserve the health and welfare of Maine citizens. More recently known as the Department of Human Services, it is now the Department of Health and Human Services. The change reflects the fact that the…

Historic Preservation Commission, Maine

Maine Historic Preservation Commission (2001)

The Commission is responsible for the identification, evaluation, and protection of Maine’s significant cultural resources as directed by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. It is located at 55 Capitol Street in Augusta. It consists of eleven members as follows: The Commissioner of Transportation or  representative, the Commissioner of Conservation or representative and 9…

Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Bangor Mental Health Institute (2003)

This was the name of the former Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, now merged with the Department of Health and Human Services.  (Even earlier its functions were embedded in the old Department of Mental Health and Corrections.) See an early “Maine Insane Hospital” at Kennebec Arsenal  Its pre-merger mission statement was described as…

Public Reserved Lands

Richardson Pond in Adamstown Township from Richardson Pond Road in Lincoln Plantation (2018)

Richardson Pond in Adamstown Township from Richardson Pond Road in Lincoln Plantation (2018)   History “Maine’s “Public Reserved Lands” have a unique history. Separate from the state park system and Baxter State Park, and from more recent purchases under the “Land for Maine’s Future” program, these lands have their origin in the “public lots” that…