While she was born in Boston, Frances Perkins considered her family’s “Brick House” in Newcastle to be her home. As the National Park Service observed in its National Landmark Nomination document: The Perkins Homestead in Newcastle, Maine, is nationally significant as the ancestral home and lifelong summer residence of Frances Perkins, U.S. Secretary of Labor…
born in Nauskeag (now Woolwich), a ship tradesman in Arrowsic, then governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, he commanded several military expeditions against the French in Canada. As governor, he pardoned those who were accused in the Salem witch trials.
“In the fall of 1620 the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth during a disagreeable storm, and, noting the excellent opportunity for future misery, began to erect a number of rude cabins.” — Bill Nye Members of the Plymouth Colony began trading with fishermen and Indians in Maine within a few years of their arrival in 1620.…
Maine continues to see a migration of its population away from the most northern areas and toward the south and mid-coast. Within counties such as Oxford and Penobscot, their southern most communities are growing while the smaller northern towns decline in population. Trends over two decades affirm the north-south divide in terms of population. This…
The population of Maine is measured every ten years by the U.S. Census Bureau, and is estimated annually by the Department of Human Services. The graph at right illustrates the increases since 1742 and the declining portion of the U.S. population beginning early in the 19th century. (The U.S. Census began in 1790.) The decline…
Fifteen communities had populations of over 15,000 in the year 2010, two more than in 2000. While ranks of the first five were little changed, Scarborough surged ahead while Waterville fell behind. Windham and Gorham were new to the list in 2010. Among the fifteen, the fastest growing communities from 2000 to 2010 were suburbs…
The U.S. Census identifies “Urbanized Areas” (Urbanized) and “Urban Clusters” (Clusters), reporting population and the number of housing units (Housing). Data is extracted from the Maine 2010 Population Housing Unit Counts, 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Issued August 2012.
With its large population, financial and legal services, cultural and historical attractions, and “Old Port” dining and shopping district, the City is the only true metropolitan area in the state. See photos. Portland harbor is a working waterfront serving tankers, tourists, and fisheries, along with recreational boating from year-round and summer residents. Ferries connect the mainland to the many Casco Bay islands. Settled in 1632 and incorporated as a town on July 4, 1786, Portland became a city in 1833.
The City of Portland has over eighty places and historic districts on the National Register, including Eastern Promenade, Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Gorges, Longfellow Monument, Portland City Hall, Portland Observatory, Wadsworth-Longfellow House, Westbrook College Historic District, and Western Promenade
(1761-1807) was born in Falmouth, now Portland, on August 15, 1761 and has been called the “Father of the American Navy.” He played a decisive role in keeping the waters of Maine safe from Barbary pirates as Commander of U.S. naval forces during much of the Tripolitan War, 1801-1805. On March 2, 1818, in the…
was closed in February of 2002 after 178 years of housing inmates. In 1823, construction of the prison was approved by the Legislature. It was opened officially in July, 1824 to serve as a penitentiary where convicts were sentenced to hard labor for life or for any terms of time not less than one year.…
The following winners have Maine roots from birth or residence. Author Year Category Title Laura E. Richards 1917 Biography Julia Ward Howe Booth Tarkington 1919 Literature The Magnificent Ambersons Booth Tarkington 1922 Literature Alice Adams Edwin Arlington Robinson 1922 Poetry Collected Poems Owen Davis 1923 Drama Icebound Edna St. Vincent Millay 1923 Poetry The Harp…
What Should You do if You have been Exposed? If you have been bitten or scratched by a wild animal, or by a pet or farm animal that has been behaving oddly, follow these steps: 1. Animals must be killed or captured without injuring the brain; brain tissue must be tested. 2. Immediately wash the…
Compared to all other states and the District of Columbia, Maine ranks relatively high when considering the number of students per teacher and on the amount spent per pupil. However, Maine ranks very low when comparing teacher salaries. It does rank fairly high in the percent of residents with high school or bachelor’s degrees, though…
The U.S. Department of Education released a report November 26, 2012 “detailing state four-year high school graduation rates in 2010-11 – the first year for which all states used a common, rigorous measure.” The new calculation, the Department emphasized, is not comparable to previously reported rates. Some news reports in Maine hailed the state’s ranking…
Maine appears to be near the national average in terms of the percent of its populations in various categories that are obese, or overweight and obese, or who have diabetes or hypertension – both linked to being overweight. YEAR RANK MAINE U.S. Obesity Adults 2003 43 19.9% 22.8% 20051 34 22.0% n.a. 20061 33 23.0%2…
Maine is a relative small, sparsely settled state when it comes to population. Its people are predominantly white, of European-origin, with relatively few members of minority ethnic or racial groups. The state ranks about 40th in total population, population density, portion of non-whites, households, and metropolitan population. The exception is the rank for American Indians.…
Maine ranks very low in crime and prisoner incarcerations. With respect to crime rates, the Morgan Quitno Press, which produces state-by-state rankings on a variety of subjects, produced rankings of the “safest states” based on a formula that measures how a state compares to the national average for a given set of crime categories. They…
YEAR RANK MAINE U.S. Status of Children 1=High In Poverty 2000 18 13.7% 16.6% 2007 31 15.4% 18.0% 2010 36 17.8% 21.6% At/Below 200% Poverty 19953 20 38.3% – 20013 25 34.5% 38.1% 2010 34 36.3% 43.2% At/Below 200% Poverty, no Health Insurance 19953 22 7.4% – 20013 3 3.4% 7.9% 2010 15 7.0% 6.6%…
was a Jesuit priest killed by the British in an attack on the Native American village in Norridgewock on August 23, 1724. Born January 28, 1657* in France, he attended college then taught Greek at Nimes in Southern France. There he learned of the need for missionaries in Canada to serve the Indian population and…