This exhibition chronicles the transformation of the Portland Peninsula from the revolution to the present through a selection of maps, books, prints, photographs, postcards and ceramic artifacts. Situated on a small peninsula jutting into Casco Bay, its sheltered, deepwater port has offered safe harbor for ships trading with Canada, the Caribbean, and trans_Atlantic ports since its founding about 1632. True to its motto, "Resurgam," Portland has risen like a Phoenix after each devastating onslaught. Its earliest settlement was destroyed in 1676 after an attack by local tribes; it was bombarded by the British fleet in 1775; and, its stately Federal homes and commercial center were burned in the great fire of 1866. This exhibition begins with the colonial settlement of Falmouth Neck and tracks the repeated destruction, recovery, and expansion of the city of Portland over two hundred years.

The exhibition was curated by Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr., Director of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. Valuable assistance was given by Peter Morelli, Rosemary Mosher, co_founder of Orbis LLC; Harold L. Osher as well as OML staff members George Carhart, Sara Sikes, Roberta Ransley-Matteau and Yolanda Theunissen. The curator particularly appreciates the cooperation of Hilary D. Bassett of Greater Portland Landmarks; Paul Pottle of the Maine Department of Transportation; Nicholas Noyes, Holly Hurd-Forsyth, and Robin Woodman of the Maine Historical Society; Michael Bobinsky and Jessica Hanscom of The Portland Public Works Department; Drew E. Swenson of Swenson & Co.; and Barry Scheff of Woodard and Curran Engineers.

The assistance of the USM staffs of the Marketing and Brand Management and Public Affairs Office is gratefully acknowledged as well as that of OML’s Graduate Assistants Angela Connelly, Margaret Dube, Tracy LaMaestra, and Rebecca Lamet. Photographs for Billheads display were created by Richard C. Veit. Additional technical services were provided by Casco Bay Framing, Grapheteria, Graphic Arts Lab, Rayer Fine Arts Conservation, The Signery and Richard C. Veit.

Anonymous

The Architectural Team, Inc.

Curran Engineers

Greater Portland Landmarks

Maine Historical Society

Maine Department of Transportation

Peter Morelli

Dr. Bruce D. Nelson

The Portland Public Works Department

Herbert W. Pratt

Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr.

Swenson & Co.

Kenneth E. Thompson Jr.