Maine Historical Society

Museums, Est. 1822

The Maine Historical Society is located on a one-acre campus, across from Monument Square, at 489 Congress Street in Portland. The society functions with the mission to promote the understanding and enjoyment of Maine history.

Founded in 1822, MHS is the third oldest historical society in the United States. Consisting of a growing museum, an incomparable library, and statewide educational resources, it is a perfect place for all ages and interests.

The Maine Historical Society honors, preserves and teaches Maine history through exhibitions, tours, lectures, research, trips and events. The historic resources of the society include the 18th-century Wadsworth–Longfellow House, Longfellow Garden, research library, Maine Historical Society Museum and store, and the Maine Memory Network — a digital museum.

Wadsworth–Longfellow House, the first house museum in Maine, is the childhood home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The research library is an excellent storehouse containing the unrivaled collections from the 16th to 21st centuries.

The Maine Historical Society Museum is an essential resource for students and scholars researching Maine material culture. The museum store offers unique books and gifts related to Maine’s history.

MHS has one of the largest collections of genealogy material in the state. The society also offers photographic and digital reproductions of the collection items.

The society arranges series of programs every month and offers individual as well as family memberships.