An early transportation facility in Maine was the canal. The need for public support for canals was recognized in 1820 by the state’s first governor William King’s inaugural address. In 1834 the Board of Internal Improvements was authorized by the Maine Legislature. The Board’s responsibility was to “explore and examine the great water courses of…
People who have worked on farms, in forests, on the seas, in mills, factories and offices — all have contributed to the Maine economy over the past nearly four centuries. In the twenty-first century more people are working in commercial, health, electronic, financial and other services than ever before. A perspective of where workers have…
Maine’s economy represents 0.4% (less than half a percent) of the U.S. national economy. With a slow national pace, Maine is likely to have slow growth as well. The important forest products sector has been blunted by the recent events, including a slowdown in construction and the transition from printed media (newspapers, magazines) to digital…
While commentators and educators had been advocating for schools to include Maine studies in their curricula for decades, the first state mandate was effective on August 20, 1955: Chapter 300 AN ACT Relating to the Teaching of the Industrial and Natural Resources of Maine. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine,…
During Harpswell’s early settlement and before a bridge connected it to the rest of the town, Harpswell Neck was the site of several small villages. Harpswell Center hosted a church, the 1759 meetinghouse (later the town office), a 200-year plus old cemetery, and a 1793 cattle pound. The cemetery is the site of “The Witch…
The United States’ Fort Sumpter in South Carolina fell to the Confederates on April 13, 1861, effectively initiating the Civil War. Four days later Confederate President Jefferson Davis authorized private vessels to capture or destroy Union commercial sailing vessels. This decision had a severe impact on Maine’s seafaring fleet and the coastal economy. During the…
Maine, as most places on Earth, is home to native and non-native species of plants and animals. The State of Maine has extensive resources on this subject so there is no need to restate them here. An invasive plant is defined as a plant that is not native to a particular ecosystem, whose introduction does…
This “river” is one of those inlets from the sea that is not a true river. It had been tidal as far inland a Bath until a dam was constructed that created ponds above it. At its northern most reach the Peterson Canal once linked Merrymeeting Bay with Casco Bay. Built around 1790 to connect…
One-hundred sixteen different people have served as Presidents of the Maine Senate since 1820. Until 1880, terms were typically for one year only. In 1880 the Maine Constitution was amended to provide for two-year terms for legislators instead of the one-year terms established in 1820. With that, typical terms for president quickly moved to two…
There have been 101 Speaker-terms in the House of Representatives since 1820. Six Speakers served two separate terms each, making 95 individuals who have held that office through 2013. During that time 93 terms were of one year of less; two terms were two years or less; three were three years, one was five years,…
(1955- ) Rochelle “Chellie” Pingree is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the First Congressional District. She was re-elected in 2012 and 2010, having been elected in 2008 as the first woman representing the district. It marked the first time in American history that women made up the majority of a state’s…