August 2015 - Maine Archives and Museums

August 2015
Volume 18, Issue #3
WE ARE
Making the Case for
Your Collections, Programs, and Profession
MAINE ARCHIVES AND MUSEUMS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Friday • October 2
Lewiston-Auburn College,
University of Southern Maine in Lewiston
All of us who work for and volunteer at collecting institutions engage almost daily in the work of advocacy: promoting our collections and programs to stakeholders and new audiences, explaining to potential funders what vital services we provide to our
communities, and working with our elected representatives on issues that impact our institutions and the populations we serve.
MAM members are key advocates for collecting institutions in the state of Maine—We are the champions of Maine’s museums
and archives!
This year’s MAM conference will focus on the many shapes advocacy takes in Maine’s collecting institutions, celebrating what
we do well and seeking ways to do better. How do you effectively advocate for your institution, or for collecting institutions writ
large? When it comes to legislation, how do you navigate the political arena? What are effective ways to champion your collections
or programs? What does it mean to be an advocate for Maine’s museums and archives? How can we advocate for ourselves, our
positions, and our careers?
The 2015 MAM conference will offer a mixture of sessions, workshops, networking opportunities, and a dynamic keynote address
that will leave you feeling recharged, connected, and inspired with new ideas to assist you in the care and management of your
collecting institution. Session will include Collections Conservation, Digital Storage, Getting Organized, Writing an Economic
Impact Statement, Mission Driven Fundraising, Grant Writing, ADA Compliance and more! Registration will open mid-August. Watch your inbox for more information or visit www.MaineMuseums.org/2015Conference for updates. Maine Archives and Museums
MAM Newsletter
Volume 18 • Number 3 • August 2015
Maine Archives and Museums
www.mainemuseums.org
[email protected]
P.O. Box 46
Cumberland Center, ME 04021
(207) 400-6965
The Maine Archives and Museums
Newsletter is published on a quarterly
basis as a benefit of membership in MAM,
whose purpose is to develop and foster
a network of citizens and institutions in
Maine who identify, collect, interpret and/
or provide access to materials relating to
history and culture.
Contributions to the MAM Newsletter may
be submitted to MAM. Contact information provided above.
To purchase copies of the MAM Newsletter,
please contact MAM at the above address
or phone number.
Third Class postage paid at Bangor,
Maine.
OFFICERS
President:
Raney Bench
Vice President:
Heather Moran
Secretary:
Lorraine DeLaney
Treasurer:
Ellen Dyer
BOARD MEMBERS
Jennifer Blanchard
Howard Lowell
Gretchen Faulkner
Jennifer Pye
Leigh Hallett
David O. Smith
Susan LaGasse
Kimberly Smith
Sheri Leahan
Deborah Staber
NEWSLETTER STAFF
Editor:Jessica Skwire Routhier
Typesetting & Design: Deborah J. McGee
Printer:Bangor Letter Shop &
Color Copy Center, Bangor
LEGAL SERVICES
Contributed by James C. Pitney
General Counsel
Preti, Flaherty, Beleveau & Pachios
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Maine Archives & Museums Annual Conference................................................................... Cover
MAM NEWS: News from MAM............................................................................................ 3
MAM in Maine Policy Review....................................................................... 3
MAM Continues to Mix It Up........................................................................ 3
DISPATCHES .......................................................................................................................... 3
Maine Photography: A History, 1840-2015.............................................................................. 5
Illinois State Museum System at Risk of Closure................................................................... 6
Ski Museums Cooperate on Maine Historical Exhibit............................................................ 7
SEEN & HEARD...................................................................................................................... 8
New River Bateau Exhibit........................................................................................................ 9
OPPORTUNITIES.................................................................................................................... 10
Maine Museums........................................................................................................................ 11
The Passionate Photographer: Kosti Ruohomaa’s Maine in Magazine Photojournalism...... 16
NEXT ISSUE: NOVEMBER 2015
Only submissions received by the Editor by September 30, 2015,
will be considered for publication.
Jessica Skwire Routhier
207-799-7324
[email protected]
Maine Archives & Museums Newsletter
Vol. 18, No. 3
MAM NEWS
MAM Supports
the Illinois State Museum
Maine Archives and Museums recently added its name to those cultural
organizations who object to the planned closure of the 138-year-old
Illinois State Museum, which is on the chopping block due to proposed
state budget cuts. Upon the recommendation of MAM’s Advisory
Committee, and with the formal approval of the Executive Committee,
MAM signed a letter drafted by the National Alliance of State Museum
Associations to Bruce Rauner, the Governor of Illinois, urging him to
reverse this decision. Please see p. 6 for more on this story.
MAM in
Maine Policy Review
Have you seen the current issue of Maine Policy Review? The entire
issue is dedicated to “Humanities and Public Policy,” and it features
articles by tons of MAM members: Hayden Anderson of the Maine
Humanities Council, Steve Bromage of the Maine Historical Society,
Desirée Butterfield-Nagy of the Fogler Library at the University of
Maine, Bernard Fishman of the Maine State Museum, Steve Podgajny
of the Portland Public Library, Julie Richard of the Maine Arts
Commission, former MAM President Jessica Skwire Routhier, and others. MAM also supplied data for the MPR editors to create a map and
finding aid for many of the museums in Maine—please see pp. 11-14.
To order a copy of the Maine Policy Review or to access the online version, please visit digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mpr.
MAM
Continues
to Mix It Up
May and June were busy months for MAM, with five professional
development programs and the last of our spring “mixers”! Workshop
topics included Preparing Collections Material for Exhibition (Maine
Historical Society, May 9), Disaster Planning Step-by-Step (Auburn
Public Library, May 13), Identification and Care of Photographic
Collections (Penobscot Marine Museum, May 20), Preserving Organic
Collections (L.C. Bates Museum, June 5), Historic Picture Frame
Conservation (Freeport Community Library, June 24), and Historic
Housekeeping (Washburn-Norlands Living History Center, June 29).
After the June 5 workshop at the L.C. Bates Museum, which was led by
conservator Ronald Harvey, MAM hosted a mixer at the museum, with
great food and great company! MAM Mixers are a welcome, informal
way for museum and archive professionals to connect, brainstorm, and
share ideas. This was our second year of combining our spring program
series with mixers, and we plan to do it again in 2016! •
DISPATCHES
Our members report on news, awards and achievements from throughout the state.
State Historian Earle Shettleworth speaking at
the 50th anniversary celebration.
AUGUSTA
The Maine State Archives celebrated its 50th
anniversary on Monday, June 8, with a ceremony and luncheon at the Cultural Building
to commemorate a half-century of preserving Maine history. State Historian Earle G.
Shettleworth Jr., one of the first members of
the Archives Advisory Board, gave the keynote address, recounting the history of the
formation of the archives, from the approval of
the legislation in 1965 to the dedication of the
cultural building in 1971. He also noted how
the formation of the Archives was delayed until
Vol. 18, No. 3 nearly 150 years after Maine became a state,
despite repeated calls for action throughout
the decades. “Our essential purpose remains
unchanged since 1909 when (State Historian)
Henry Burrage petitioned the legislature for
the funding to ‘catalog the state’s books,
manuscripts, records, documents and papers
related to Maine so that they may be accessible to all persons desiring to use them,’” said
Shettleworth. “That’s still our mission today.”
A joint resolution of the Legislature, sponsored
by Rep. Erik Jorgensen, was read during the
event by Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap,
who also addressed the gathering. “The care
of these records is a sacred act, handed down
from generation to generation,” said Dunlap.
“The people in this room today, who have
exhibited so much care, we owe a tremendous
debt of gratitude…” The 50th anniversary
exhibit, showcasing examples of the Maine
State Archives’ wide variety of holdings, is on
display throughout the year. Find more photos
from the Maine State Archives 50th celebration, as well as video clips, on the MSA
Facebook page!
competition! The Archives won the hard hat
by being one of the first 10 Maine organizations to send CERC a description and picture
documenting their efforts to promote disaster
preparedness, which included showing the
video about disaster mitigation to staff. The
CERC hard hat has now become part of the
Archives disaster kit. See photo in Seen &
Heard, p. 8.
Also at the Maine State Archives…MSA staff
won the coveted hard hat in the Maine Cultural
Emergency Resource Coalition “MayDay”
CUMBERLAND CENTER
On June 18th, awards were presented for the
continued on page 4
Maine Archives & Museums Newsletter
Archivists Betsy Spekke and Samuel Howes are
pictured with the May Day award for disaster
preparation.
3
Maine Archives & Museums
President:
Raney Bench (2012)
Seal Cove Auto Museum
1414 Tremont Rd.
Seal Cove, ME 04674
Phone: 207-244-9242
[email protected]
2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Vice President:
Heather Moran (2012)
Walsh History Center, Camden Public Library
55 Main Street
Camden, ME 04843
Phone: 207-236-3440
[email protected]
Secretary:
Lorraine DeLaney (2014)
Colby College Museum of Art
5600 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME 04901
Phone: 207-859-5617
[email protected]
Treasurer:
Ellen Dyer (2013)
Museum Consultant
81 Bobolink Lane
Thomaston, ME 04861
Phone: 207-226-3434
[email protected]
MAM News, continued from page 3
Madison Albert and Elizabeth Maurer,
Director of Program at National Women’s
History Museum
41st annual National History Day Contest at
the University of Maryland in College Park.
More than 600,000 students from around the
world competed in five categories: documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, and websites. The top entries from 58 affiliate members, including Maine National History Day,
were invited to the national contest held June
4
BOARD MEMBERS
Jennifer Blanchard (2015)
Pejepscot Historical Society
159 Park Row
Brunswick, ME 04011
Phone: 207-729-6606
[email protected]
Susan LaGasse (2014)
Non-Profit Consultant
65 Jameson Point Road
Rockland, ME 04841
Phone: 207-593-8175
[email protected]
Gretchen Faulkner (2013)
Hudson Museum
5746 Collins Center for the Arts
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469-5746
Phone: 207-581-7904
[email protected]
Sheri Leahan (2011)
Independent Museum Professional
35 Cummings Hill Road
Temple, ME 04984
Phone: 207-779-4445
[email protected]
Leigh Hallett (2011)
Maine Federation of
Farmers’ Markets
113 North Lancey Street
Pittsfield, ME 04967
Phone: 207-699-6336
[email protected]
Howard Lowell (2015)
Independent Museum Professional
[email protected]
Jennifer Pye (2014)
Monhegan Historical &
Cultural Museum
1 Lighthouse Hill
Monhegan, ME 04852
Phone: 207-596-7003
[email protected]
David O. Smith (2013)
Kennebec Valley Community
College Archives
92 Western Avenue
Fairfield, ME 04937-1367
Phone: 207-453-3507
[email protected]
Kimberly Smith (2015)
Presque Isle
Historical Society
16 Third St,
Presque Isle, ME 04769
207-762-1151
[email protected]
Deborah Staber (2012)
L C Bates Museum
P.O. Box 159
Hinckley, ME 04944
Phone: 207-238-4250
[email protected]
(In parentheses after each name is the year
the board member began serving his/her term.
A board member can serve up to three successive two-year terms.)
DISPATCHES (cont’d. from page 3)
14 through 18. Nearly 3,000 middle and high
school students presented their work related
to the 2015 theme, Leadership and Legacy in
History. Contestants represent all 50 states,
the District of Columbia, American Samoa,
Guam, Puerto Rico and international schools
in Central America, China, Korea, and South
Asia. Madison Albert from Greely Middle
School, Cumberland Center, Maine won
the Women’s History Award. The following
earned outstanding state entry awards: Maggie
Pono, Alyssa Salley, and Brooke Rogers from
Skowhegan Area Middle School, Skowhegan;
and Avery Arena from Gorham High School,
Gorham.
NEWFIELD
After a very successful spring field trip season, with some 2,700 visitors, 19th Century
Willowbrook Village opened its regular season on July 4 weekend with all types of
hands-on workshops, new exhibits, music
and games in addition to a Revolutionary
War camp re-enactment. Among the activities was a demonstration of a gas engine and
Maine Archives & Museums Newsletter
pump used against the Coastal Fire of 1947,
which is remembered as very costly to the
Town of Newfield and other Maine and New
Hampshire communities. Also new this year
is Transportation, Horse-Drawn, Bicycles and
Early Automobiles, 1860-1920, an exhibit of
photographs on loan from the SpringvaleSanford Historical Society; and transcribed
Civil War letters connected to Limerick and
Newfield. The letters are on loan from the
Limerick Historical Society, thanks to work
done by Lindsay Decker, Willowbrook’s summer college intern from Lycoming College.
The museum also hosted its Second Annual
Silent Movie Festival, July 17-19, and its
Summer History Camp, for ages 7-12 on July
20-24. Visit: www.willowbrookmuseum.org
for more details. (See photo in Seen & Heard,
p. 8.)
SKOWHEGAN
The Margaret Chase Smith Library is
pleased to announce the winners of its nineteenth annual essay contest, which asked
Maine high school seniors to write about U.S.
Vol. 18, No. 3
C
MAINE PHOTOGRAPHY:
A History, 1840-2015
oming in September from Down East Books
(an imprint of Rowman & Littlefield) and
the Maine Historical Society, and published
in conjunction with the Maine Photo Project
(mainephotoproject.org), is this unprecedented
and long-awaited history of photographs in
Maine from three of the state’s most esteemed
photo scholars, historians, and curators. In nine
chapters, authors Libby Bischof, Susan Danly,
and Earle G. Shettleworth Jr. will examine the
origins of Maine’s rich photographic traditions
through an exploration of early photographic
processes and their practitioners in the state;
the rise of a fine-art photographic tradition
through the work of pictoralists like F. Holland
Day and Gertrude Käsebier and modernists
like Eliot Porter and Berenice Abbott; and the
evolution of a thriving contemporary photo
scene through the end of the twentieth century
and the first decade and a half of the twenty-first. The book will include more than 100
lush, full-color illustrations collections as well
as an appendix that will serve as a finding aid
to more than thirty of Maine’s premier public
photograph collections. Its publication is timed
to coincide with the opening of Early Maine
Photography: Images of People and Places
from 1840 to 1870 at Maine Historical Society,
opening September 25.
Maine’s photographic history is so broad and
diverse that “this book couldn’t have been written by just one person,” said co-author Libby
Bischof. The team of authors represents a
range of interests and areas of expertise. Libby
Bischof is Associate Professor of History at the
University of Southern Maine and, with Susan
Danly, the co-curator of Maine Moderns:
Artists in Seguinland, a 2011 exhibition at the
Portland Museum of Art, and the coauthor of
the accompanying catalogue (Yale University
Press, 2011). Susan Danly was the Curator of
Graphics, Photographs, and Contemporary Art
and ultimately Senior Curator at the Portland
Museum of Art until her retirement in 2013;
one of her many projects there was Georgia
O’Keeffe and the Camera: The Art of Identity,
a 2008 exhibition and catalogue also from Yale
University Press. Earle G. Shettleworth Jr. is
the Maine State Historian and the outgoing
director of the Maine Historic Preservation
Commission. He is a lifelong photo collector
and has published and lectured widely on early
and local photographic traditions throughout
Maine. Shettleworth (with assistance from
Libby Bischof) is the primary curatorial voice
behind the Early Maine Photography exhibition at Maine Historical Society.
While no one title on this subject can claim to
be truly comprehensive, this book nevertheless represents the first sustained, scholarly
treatment of the history of photography in
Maine. The Rowman & Littlefield website
praises it as “the first comprehensive overview
of the history of photography in the state” and
goes on to say that it “also studies the ways in
which photography has informed the understanding of the social and cultural history of
Maine.” Through striking images and thoughtful analysis, this book will be a beautiful and
valuable record of a 175-year tradition in one
of the most-photographed places in the world.
For more information and to preorder,
please visit mainephotoproject.org/book. •
DISPATCHES (cont’d. from page 4)
Dexter Regional High School, and Grace
Pouliot from Marshwood High School in
South Berwick.
Margaret Chase Smith Foundation President
Charles Cragin presents first-place prize to
Diana Tyutyunnyk of Orono High School.
immigration policy. The first-place prize of
$1,000 goes to Diana Tyutyunnyk of Orono
High School; second place and $500 to Rachel
Kocik of Hampden Academy; and third place
and $250 to Taylor Plourde of Lisbon High
School. Five honorable mention prizes of
$50 were awarded to Van Boardman from
Waterville Senior High School, Jessica Boulet
from Saint Dominic Academy in Auburn,
Ezra Merriman Briggs from Briggs Home
School in Lubec, Adam Malinauskas from
Vol. 18, No. 3 This year also
marks the
seventy-fifth
anniversary of
the death of
Margaret Chase
Smith’s husband, Clyde. Mr.
Smith’s passing
in 1940 while
serving in the
U.S. House of
Representatives
presented an
opportunity for
his spouse to run for public office. Because of
her historic achievements during a thirty-two
year Congressional career, Margaret’s life and
legacy have overshadowed her husband’s own
impressive political resume. Born in Harmony,
Maine, in 1876, Clyde grew up to become
Maine Archives & Museums Newsletter
a public servant. He never lost in forty-nine
elections spanning from Somerset County
Sheriff to Skowhegan Selectman to Maine
State Legislator to U.S. Representative. Clyde
was also a successful businessman with ventures including a lumber operation, newspaper
business, car dealership, and shoe company.
Visitors can view A Big Man in Small Places:
Clyde H. Smith from Maine at the Margaret
Chase Smith Library in Skowhegan. Hours
are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. and admission is free.
SUMNER
Rumford and Mexico Historical Societies
will tour the newly opened private Petroleum
Collectibles Museum, located in Sumner, and
have a picnic on the grounds on September 19,
2015. The museum is the private collection of
Tim and Sue Wallace, and represents 35 years’
accumulation and restoration of artifacts of the
motoring public. For more information visit or
contact the Rumford Historical Society: www.
rumfordmaine.net/history/history.htm / rhs@
gwi.net / 207-364-2540. •
5
Illinois State Museum System at Risk of Closure
MAM joins national museum associations in supporting the museum
AS A RESULT of the ongoing negotiations
to close a $4 billion state budget deficit,
the Illinois State Museum system—including
sites in Springfield, Lewistown, Lockport,
Whittington and Chicago—has been ordered to
begin preparing for closure, including dismantling exhibits to return loaned work to artists
and returning artisan work on consignment.
As one of the first institutions to be awarded
a system-wide AAM accreditation, the
Illinois State Museum is a leading institution in
the country. The Illinois State Museum maintains a vital collection of Illinois history, welcomes 33,000 schoolchildren each year through
school visits and has a significant economic
impact on the Illinois economy.
Springfield’s State Journal-Register noted:
“For 138 years, the Illinois State Museum
has been a priority for the state, through wars,
economic downturns and tough times. If leaders choose to close the museum, Illinois will
invalidate decades of valuable and meaningful
research and preservation work, as well as people’s interest in the state’s history and culture.”
The Illinois State Commission on Government
Forecasting and Accountability is required
under the State Facilities Closure Act to take
public comments and hold a hearing about the
plan to close the Illinois State Museum. The
public comment period was open through July
22, and in response to that opportunity the
American Alliance of Museums, the Midwest
Museums Association, the Illinois Association
of Museums, and—with Maine Archives and
Museums’ signature—the National Alliance
of State Museum Associations (NASMA)—
sent letters to Bruce Rauner, the Governor of
Illinois, to protest this action.
“The American Alliance of Museums urges
all Illinois museum professionals and supporters to take a stand that the Illinois State
Museum system must not be a casualty of
this budget battle in Springfield,” said AAM
President and CEO Laura Lott. “And I call on
Governor Rauner and the state legislature to
work together to keep the museum open so it
can continue serving the citizens of Illinois and
all who visit from across the country.”
A final decision is expected in early August; as
of this newsletter’s press time the museum’s
final fate was not yet decided. Please
visit www.aam-us.org/advocacy for more information.
Following please find the NASMA letter to
which MAM added its signature:
Dear Governor Rauner:
We are writing as leaders of the undersigned
State Museum Associations, representing more
than 30,000 museums and their communities
6
Photo by Rich Saal / The State Journal-Register
across the United States, to express our concern at the proposed closure of the Illinois
State Museum System.
As we are sure you know, these museums
serve many critical functions to the citizens
of Illinois. In addition to the money that is
put into the local and state economy through
employment, purchasing, educational services
and tourism, the State Museums also demonstrate the commitment that state government
makes to the quality of life of its citizens.
State Museums serve as trusted sources of
knowledge and research, vital resources for
teachers and students, and the repository of
the Illinois’s cultural and historical memory.
From our experience in each of our own states,
we know how important State Museums are
to the health of our other museums and their
communities, providing leadership, practical
assistance and inspiration to their colleagues.
We very much hope that you will be able to
work with the American Alliance of Museums,
the Midwest Museum Association and the
Illinois Association of Museums to find ways
to keep the Illinois State Museum System open
and fully operational for the benefit of the citizens of Illinois and beyond.
Signed (as of July 6, 2015),
Kathie Thurman
Alabama Museums Association
Janice Klein
Museum Association of Arizona
Kathleen Pate
Arkansas Museums Association
Katie March
Colorado-Wyoming Association of Museums
Liz Shapiro
Connecticut League of History Organizations
Daniel Citron
Delaware Museum Association
Michele Rodgers
Georgia Association of Museums and
Galleries
Dulce L. Kersting
Idaho Association of Museums
Maine Archives & Museums Newsletter
Cynthia Sweet
Iowa Museum Association
Lisa Dodson
Kansas Museums Association
Stuart Sanders
Kentucky Museum and Heritage Alliance
Elizabeth Weinstein
Louisiana Association of Museums
Erin I. Bishop
Maine Archives & Museums
Lisa Craig Brisson
Michigan Museums Association
Lin Nelson-Mayson
Minnesota Association of Museums
Brian Hicks
Mississippi Museum Association
Candy Sall
Missouri Association for Museums and
Archives
Deb Mitchell
Museums Association of Montana
Kathy Aultz
Nebraska Museum Association
Crystal R. Van Dee
Nevada Museums Association
Catherine Mastrangelo
New Jersey Association of Museums
Lisa Pugh
New Mexico Association of Museums
Devin R. Lander
Museum Association of New York
Jenny Yearous
Museums in North Dakota
Johnna McEntee
Ohio Museums Association
Brenda Granger
Oklahoma Museums Association
Rusty Baker
Pennsylvania Museums
Zinnia Willits
South Carolina Federation of Museums
Dan Brosz
Association of South Dakota Museums
Adam H. Alfrey
Tennessee Association of Museums
Ruth Ann Rugg
Texas Association of Museums
Jayceen Craven Walker
Utah Museums Association
Jennifer Thomas
Virginia Association of Museums
Darryl DeGripp
West Virginia Association of Museums
Joanne Kliessendorf
Wisconsin Federation of Museums •
Vol. 18, No. 3
Skiers loading the T-bar at Pleasant Mountain (today’s Shawnee Peak), circa 1960. The ski lift in the
picture was installed in 1953, and it was Maine’s first T-bar, representing a major milestone in the
development of recreational skiing in our state.
Ski Museums Cooperate on Maine Historical Exhibit
K
ingfield’s Ski Museum of Maine
provided an unprecedented degree
of help to a sister organization, the
New England Ski Museum in Franconia,
New Hampshire, when the latter mounted its
first-ever exhibit on Maine. The annual exhibit, titled The Mountains of Maine: Skiing in
the Pine Tree State, opened in June and will
remain up through early April 2016.
Particularly valuable were personal contacts
with board and staff members plus two online
sources: past issues of the “Snow Trail,” the
quarterly journal of the Ski Museum of Maine,
and the collected biographies of members of
the Maine Ski Hall of Fame. “I don’t think
we’ve ever had the degree of cooperation in
preparing an annual exhibit as we did from the
staff and board of the Ski Museum of Maine,”
said New England Ski Museum director Jeff
Leich.
In the annals of New England skiing, the state
of Maine was both a leader and a laggard. The
first historical reference to the use of skis in
the region dates back to 1871 in New Sweden,
where a colony of Swedish immigrants had
been induced to settle in the untamed reaches
of northern Aroostook County. The first booklet to offer instruction in skiing to appear in the
United States was printed in 1905 by the Theo
A. Johnsen Company of Portland. Despite
these early glimmers of skiing awareness,
when the sport began its ascendancy to popularity in the 1930s, the state’s likeliest venues
were more distant, and public land ownership
less widespread than was the case in the neighboring states of New Hampshire and Vermont,
and ski area development in those states was
consequently greater.
Only in the 1950s did the construction of
alpine ski sites become commonplace in
Maine, many of them conceived as economic
development initiatives. From 1950 until the
mid-1970s ski areas sprouted up all over the
state, until ski area creation slowed nationwide. Maine’s relatively late start allowed its
ski area builders to benefit from the expertise
of ski resort planners like Sel Hannah and the
Sno-engineering firm, and permitted its state
government to enact environmental legislation before overdevelopment marked the landscape as it had elsewhere. Numbered among
Maine’s distinctive impacts on skiing are
far-ranging Nordic marathons; inventions and
improvements in snow grooming tractors and
implements; a unique university program that
trained students for varied careers in the ski
business; and the organizational and financial
know-how one ski area owner employed to
create an assemblage of ski areas on a national
scale.
The Maine ski exhibit consists of some 60 photographs and artwork with text and captions
drawn from the collections of New England
Ski Museum, with considerable assistance
provided by members and directors of the Ski
Museum of Maine. The Maine exhibit will be
on display at New England Ski Museum until
early April 2016.
For more information visit
newenglandskimuseum.org/visit/annual-exhibits
Vol. 18, No. 3 Maine Archives & Museums Newsletter
7
SEEN & HEARD
LEFT: Maine Town Meeting speaker, former U.S. Representative Mike Michaud,
chats at the Margaret Chase Smith Library with Skowhegan Area Middle School
teacher Carla Burnham and her Maine History Day-winning students. See
Dispatches, page 4.
RIGHT:
Waterboro
Elementary
School students
have fun with
Morse Code
in the Titanic
Radio Room at
19th-Century
Willowbrook
Village. See
Dispatches,
page 4.
LEFT: Pictured are Betsy Spekke and Sam Howes with some of the
disaster preparedness materials and the “Field Guide to Emergency
Response” educational video that helped the Maine State Archives
win the Maine Cultural Emergency Resource Coalition “May Day”
competition. See Dispatches, page 3.
8
Maine Archives & Museums Newsletter
Vol. 18, No. 3
T
New River Bateau Exhibit
he Skowhegan History Museum and Research Center’s (SHHMRC)
Old Kennebec: Skowhegan’s First Highway exhibit covers the single most important natural feature in Skowhegan: the Kennebec River.
The dynamic river has been the heart of Skowhegan from drawing
its earliest Native American settlers to the region, through the failed
Benedict Arnold Expedition, to the explosion of water-powered commerce in the late nineteenth century, up through the log drives that
ended in 1976, and to a wide variety of all-season recreational use today.
On Saturday, June 6, SHHMRC unveiled a new outdoor river-themed
exhibit: the River Bateaux. Installed on the History House’s back lawn
as a permanent outdoor exhibit, it features an 11-foot bateau model
accompanied by an illustrative panel depicting two of the bateau’s
historic roles: as the workhorse of the military during the revolution
(exemplified by Benedict Arnold’s use of the bateau in 1775 to carry
troops and supplies for his expedition to Quebec); and its use on river
drives during the 1800’s—carrying men and logging gear, and ferrying
men out to break up snagged logs during the river log drives.
Traditionally, historic bateaux were heavy, flat-bottomed, shallow draft
boats with flared sides and pointed ends that could easily navigate the
shallow, rocky rivers of America. They ranged in length from 12 to 84
feet. The design of the bateau was simple, so it was built in great numbers. It was easy to maintain and repair, but required constant caulking
with oakum to keep it watertight. Often, leaking bateaux were submerged in water so the planks would swell and close the seams.
The Skowhegan History House bateau model was constructed by local
boat builder Dave Axelman. He participated in the “launch” of the River
Bateaux exhibit and shared its interesting construction story.
Vol. 18, No. 3 Bateau with creator, Dr. David Axelman
The River Bateaux exhibit has been made possible by the generosity
of Dr. Axelman donating both his labor and materials, by a private
donation, support from Plum Creek and SAPPI, materials from
Hammond Lumber, and a Maine Community Foundation grant. Lynch
Landscaping created the foundation and surround.
For more information:
skowheganhistoryhouse.org
207-474-6632
Maine Archives & Museums Newsletter
9
OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer Opportunities
at Maine State Archives
Looking for a volunteer opportunity this summer? Maine State Archives would love to have
your help in the Research Room, where they
focus on making the state’s historic documents
more accessible to the public. Send them a
Facebook message or call if you’re interested!
287-5795.
Interested in becoming an intern? Interns will
learn about the history of the State of Maine as
well as its preservation and archiving practices
while aiding staff members with projects such
as digital archiving, conservation, cataloguing
and research. Some projects can be customized based on the student’s interest. Applicants
pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees
in history, library science, American studies,
political science, public policy, law, archiving/
museum studies and other related subjects
are encouraged to apply. Visit their website for more details: www.maine.gov/sos/arc/
research/internship.html.
PAID Internship at the
Jackman Moose River Valley
Historical Society
The Jackman Moose River Valley Historical
Society is looking for a motivated intern to
help with our collection. We are situated in
northwestern Maine, only two hours from
Quebec City, Canada. We offer biking, hiking,
fishing, kayaking/canoeing, tenting and much
more. Explore your wild side! It’s a great
place to spend part of your summer. Contact
person: Debby Theriault, timeout4d@gmail.
com / 207-668-3171.
Job description:
• Motivated, focused intern or student with
museum collection skills.
• Approximately 32 hours a week @ $12.00/
hr. We offer light housekeeping housing or
tenting. Flexible start date.
• Need for schematic plan of the museum.
• Management survey for collections; care,
standards; lots of ephemera!
• Firm up access “backlog” with labeling of
artifact on display. (Many items acquired
years ago do not have acquisition sheets. We have done acquisition forms for about 3
years now.)
• Possible storing of some artifacts now on
display; highlight specific displays.
10
• Hands-on session with a few volunteers so
we may continue this work this fall, next
year.
A Call for Papers on
19th-Century Photography
The Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies
(JCAS) announces a call for submissions on
the topic of 19th-century photography collections and techniques. Working in collaboration
with New England Archivists, the JCAS will
select submissions for a special issue to be
published online in conjunction with the NEA
Fall 2015 Meeting focusing on 19th-century
photography to be held in Providence, Rhode
Island, on November 7, 2015. Authors should
submit original works of recent research on:
•the history of 19th-century photography
collections
•management and descriptive projects
involving these materials
• the use of 19th-century photo collections by
researchers, artists, and staff in interesting
projects and performances
Original works by students, archivists, librarians, researchers, and artists will be accepted
and reviewed according to the parameters set
by the JCAS. See the JCAS website (elischol
ar.library.yale.edu/jcas) for criteria guidelines
and information on the submission process.
For more information, visit the Fall 2015 NEA
Meeting page (www.newenglandarchivists.
org/Fall-2015).
Learn and Network this Fall
with Your New England
Professional Membership
Associations!
Fall is a great time to build your skills with
a professional development workshop or networking event. In addition to We Are the
Champions, MAM’s Annual Conference on
October 2 (see cover), here are some of the
great events that our fellow museum/archive/
history associations have scheduled for August
through October, in person and online:
Environmental Sustainability,
Your Museum, and Your Future
August 19
Buttonwoods Museum
Haverhill, Massachusetts
Make Your Case; Make a Difference
(Webinar)
August 26, online
Recent Changes in
Massachusetts State Leave Laws
September 24
Old Sturbridge Village
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
What is a Maker Space (and why would
I want one in my museum)?
September 29
Peabody Essex Museum
Salem, Massachusetts
The Language of Museums:
2015 Annual Conference
November 4-6
Portland, Maine
Career Growth Studio
(Overnight Workshop)
November 6-7
Portland, Maine
NEW ENGLAND ARCHIVISTS
For details and to register for programs, visit
www.newenglandarchivists.org/events.
Career Development Strategies
for Early- and Mid-Career Professionals
September 12
Simmons College
Boston
AV (Audiovisual) 101
October 22
Massachusetts Historical Society
Boston
Exploring the Eye of History
NEA Symposium on
19th Century Photography
November 7
Providence, Rhode Island
NEW ENGLAND MUSEUM
ASSOCIATION
For details and to register for programs, visit
nemanet.org or call 781-641-0013.
NORTHEAST DOCUMENT
CONSERVATION CENTER
For details and to register for Webinars,
visit nedcc.org.
Questions? Contact Jessica Bitely,
Director of Preservation Services, [email protected], or 978-470-1010, ext. 223
Maine Archives & Museums Newsletter
Vol. 18, No. 3
continued on page 14
Maine Museums
This map of many of the museums in Maine is
reprinted, with permission, from the Maine
Policy Review, volume 24, issue 1,
“Humanities and Policy.” Maine
Archives and Museums provided
data for the map. Find out more at
digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mpr.
Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mpr
Part of the Arts and Humanities Commons
Recommended Citation
“Maine Museums.” Maine Policy Review 24.1 (2015): 60-63, http://digitalcommons.library.umaineedu/mpr/vol24/iss1/19.
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@Umaine.
Vol. 18, No. 3 Maine Archives & Museums Newsletter
continued on page 12
11
Maine Museums, continued
Androscoggin
Greene
Lewiston
Lewiston
Livermore
Livermore
Poland
Turner
Greene Historical Society.................................... Franco Center................................................... Museum L-A...................................................... Livermore-Livermore Falls Historical Society........... Washburn-Norlands Living History Center.............. Poland Spring Preservation Society....................... Turner Museum & Historical Association................ n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Frenchville Historical Society................................ Greater Grand Isle Historical Society..................... Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum............... Haystack Historical Society.................................. Presque Isle Historicl Society............................... Sainte Agathe Historical Society........................... Sweden Historical Society................................... Salmon Brook Historical Society
of Washburn...................................................... n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Aroostook
Frenchville
Grand Isle
Littleton
Mapleton
Presque Isle
Saint Agatha
Sweden
Washburn
n
Cumberland
Bridgton
Bridgton Historical Society................................... Bridgton
Rufus Porter Museum......................................... Brunswick
Bowdoin College Museum of Art........................... Brunswick
Brunswick Naval Museum &
Memorial Gardens.............................................. Brunswick
Pejepscot Historicl Society.................................. Brunswick
The Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum..................... Buxton
Buxton-Hollis Historical Society............................ Cumberland Center
Cumberland Historical Society............................. Falmouth
Falmouth Historical Society.................................. Freeport
Freeport Historical Society.................................. Gray
Gray Historical Society........................................ Great Diamond Island
Fort McKinley Museum....................................... Long Island
Long Island Historical Society, Inc......................... New Gloucester
New Gloucester Historical Society........................ New Gloucester
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Museum........................ North Yarmouth
North Yarmouth Historical Society......................... Peaks Island
Fifth Maine Regiment Museum............................. Peaks Island
Umbrella Cover Museum..................................... Portland
Children’s Museum & Theater of Maine.................. Portland
International Cryptozoology Museum..................... Portland
Maine Irish Heritage Center................................. Portland
Maine Masonic Civil War Library & Museum............ 12
n
l
s
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
u
u
u
n
n
Portland
Portland
Portland Pownal
Scarborough
South Portland
Windham
Yarmouth
Yarmouth
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad
Company & Museum.......................................... Portland Museum of Art....................................... Tate House Museum........................................... Pownal Scenic & Historical Society....................... Scarborough Historical Society Inc....................... n
s
n
n
n
South Portland Historical Society/
Cushings Point Museum...................................... Windham Historical Society................................. Skyline Farm Carriage Museum............................ Yarmouth Historical Society................................. n
n
n
n
Nordica Memorial Association.............................. Kingfield Historical Society.................................. Ski Museum of Maine......................................... Stanley Museum................................................ Rangeley Lakes Regional Historical Society............ Temple Historical Society.................................... Weld Historical Society....................................... n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Abbe Museum................................................... Bar Harbor Historical Society............................... Tremont Historical Society................................... Blue Hill Historical Society................................... Jonathan Fisher House....................................... Brooklin Keeping Society.................................... Brooksville Historical Society............................... Penobscot Historical Society............................... Castine Historical Society.................................... Wilson Museum................................................. l
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Great Cranberry Island Historical Society............... Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society.................. Friends of Craig Brook Atlantic Salmon Museum..... Ellsworth Historical Society.................................. Telephone Museum............................................ Franklin Historical Society................................... Gouldsboro Historical Society.............................. Davistown Museum............................................ n
n
Franklin
Farmington
Kingfield
Kingfield
Kingfield
Rangeley
Temple
Weld
Hancock
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor
Bass Harbor
Blue Hill
Blue Hill
Brooklin
Brooksville
Brooksville
Castine
Castine
Cranberry Isles
Deer Isle
East Orland
Ellsworth
Ellsworth
Franklin
Gouldsboro
Hulls Cove
Mount Desert
Mount Desert
Mount Desert
u
n
n
n
n
n
Beatrix Farrand Society....................................... n
Maine Granite Industry Historical Society Museum... n
Mount Desert Island Historical Society................... n
Maine Archives & Museums Newsletter
continued on page 13
Vol. 18, No. 3
Maine Museums, continued
Northeast Harbor
Great Harbor Maritime Museum............................ n
Seal Cove
Seal Cove Auto Museum..................................... n
Swans Island Swan’s Island Educational Society........................ n
Kennebec
Augusta
Augusta
Augusta
Augusta
Augusta
Augusta
Clinton
Hallowell
Litchfield
Monmouth
Pittston
Readfield
Sidney
Vassalboro
Waterville
Children’s Discovery Museum.............................. Holocause & Human Rights Center of Maine.......... Kennebec Historical Society................................ Maine Military Historical Society &
Armed Forces Museum....................................... Maine State Museum.......................................... Old Fort Western............................................... Clinton Historical Society..................................... Vaughan Homestead.......................................... Historical Society of Litchfield &
Litchfield Fair Museum........................................ Monmouth Museum........................................... Pittston Literary & Historical Society...................... Readfield Historical Society................................. Sidney Historical Society..................................... Vassalboro Historical Society............................... Colby College Museum of Art............................... u
Friendship Museum Inc....................................... Hope Historical Society....................................... North Haven Historical Society............................. Mussel Ridge Historical Society........................... Coastal Children’s Museum................................. Farnsworth Art Museum & Wyeth Center................ Maine Lighthouse Museum.................................. Knox Museum................................................... Thomaston Historical Society............................... Warren Historical Society.................................... n
n
n
n
n
n
n
l
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
s
Knox
Friendship
Hope
North Haven
Owls Head
Rockland
Rockland
Rockland
Thomaston
Thomaston
Warren
u
s
u
n
n
n
Lincoln
Alna
WW&F Railway Museum...................................... Boothbay
Boothbay Railway Village..................................... Boothbay Harbor
Boothbay Region Historical Society....................... Jefferson
Jefferson Historical Society................................. Monhegan
Monhegan Museum........................................... New Harbor
Friends of Colonial Pemaquid............................... Newcastle
Frances Perkins Center....................................... Nobleboro
Nobleboro Historical Society................................ South Bristol
South Bristol Historical Society............................. Southport
Southport Historical Society/Hendricks
Hill Museum...................................................... Vol. 18, No. 3 n
n
n
n
l
n
n
n
n
Waldoboro
Waldoborough Historical Society.......................... Westport Island
Westport Island History Committee....................... Whitefield
Whitefield Historical Society................................. Wiscasset
Head Tide Archaeological Conservation
Laboratory........................................................ Wiscasset
Historic New England:
Castle Tucker & the Nickels-Sortwell House........... Wiscasset
Lincoln County Historical Association.................... n
n
n
n
n
n
Oxford
Bethel
Bethel
Brownfield
Denmark
Dixfield
Gilead
Hartford
Hebron
Hiram
Lovell
Norway
Rumford
Upton
Bethel Historical Society..................................... Maine Mineral & Gem Museum............................ Brownfield Historical Society................................ Denmark Historical Society.................................. Dixfield Historical Society.................................... Gilead Historical Society..................................... Hartford Heritage Society, J.O. Irish Museum......... Hebron Historical Society.................................... Hiram Historical Society...................................... Lovell Historical Society...................................... Norway Historical Society.................................... Greater Rumford Area Historical Society................ Upton Historical Society...................................... n
Bangor Museum and Center for History................. Cole Land Transportation Museum........................ Maine Discovery Museum................................... Maine Forest & Logging Museum......................... Town of Bradley, Historical Committee................... Brewer Historical Society.................................... Corinth Historical Society.................................... Hampden Historical Society................................. Millinocket Historical Society................................ Newport Cultural Center...................................... Old Town Museum............................................. Hudson Museum............................................... Maine Folklife Center.......................................... Page Farm & Home Museum............................... Curran Homestead Living History Farm
& Museum........................................................ Patten Lumbermens Museum............................... Stetson Historical Society.................................... n
n
u
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Penobscot
Bangor
Bangor
Bangor
Bradley
Bradley
Brewer
Corinth
Hampden
Millinocket
Newport
Old Town
Orono
Orono
Orono
Orrington
Patten
Stetson
u
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
l
l
n
n
n
n
Piscataquis
Abbot
Abbot Historical Society...................................... n
n
Maine Archives & Museums Newsletter
continued on page 14
13
Maine Museums, continued from page 13
Dover-Foxcroft
Greenville
Greenville
Jackman
Milo
Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society, Inc.................... Moosehead Historical Society & Museums............. Moosehead Marine Museum............................... Jackman-Moose River Historical Society................ Milo Historical Society........................................ n
n
n
n
n
Maine Maritime Museum..................................... Dresden Historical Society................................... Georgetown Historical Society............................. Southard House Museum.................................... n
n
n
n
Sagadahoc
Bath
Dresden
Georgetown
Richmond
Somerset
Anson
Bingham
Fairfield
Hartland
Hinckley
Madison
New Portland
North Anson
Rockwood
Saint Albans
Skowhegan
Solon
Anson Historical Society...................................... Old Canada Road Historical Society...................... Fairfield Historical Society................................... Hartland Historical Society................................... L C Bates Museum............................................. Madison Historical and Genealogical Society.......... Nowetah’s American Indian Museum & Store.......... Embden Historical Society................................... Friends of Pittston Farm Museum.......................... St. Albans Historical Society................................ Skowhegan History House Association.................. Solon Historical Society...................................... Waldo
Belfast
Belfast Historical Society & Museum..................... n
n
n
n
n
l
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Brooks
Freedom
Lincolnville
Searsport
Brooks Historical Society.................................... Freedom Historical Society.................................. Bayside Historical Preservation Society................. Penobscot Marine Museum................................. n
n
n
n
Cherryfield-Narraguagus Historical Society............. Ruggles House Society....................................... Dennys River Historical Society............................ Tides Institute & Museum of Art............................ Milbridge Historical Society................................. Pembroke Historical Society................................ n
n
n
l
n
n
Alfred
Alfred Shaker Museum........................................ Alfred
Alfred Village Museum........................................ Biddeford
Biddeford Mills Museum...................................... Biddeford
New England Osteopathic Heritage Center............ Kennebunk
Brick Store Museum........................................... Kittery
Kittery Historical & Naval Museum......................... Limerick
Limerick Historical Society................................... Newfield
19th Century Willowbrook Village.......................... North Berwick North Berwick Historical Society.......................... Ogunquit
Ogunquit Museum of American Art........................ Old Orchard Beach
Old Orchard Beach Historical Society Harmon Museum............................................... Parsonsfield
Parsonsfield-Porter Historical Society.................... Saco
Saco Museum................................................... South Berwick Old Berwick Historical Society/Counting
House Museum................................................. n
n
n
n
l
n
n
n
n
s
Washington
Cherryfield
Columbia Falls
Dennysville
Eastport
Milbridge
Pembroke
York
n
n
l
n
OPPORTUNITIES (cont’d. from page 10)
Caring for Audiovisual Collections
(Webinar)
September 22, online
Funding Your Audiovisual Projects
(Webinar)
September 30, online
Digitizing Person Photographs
(Webinar)
October 7, online
Planning for Audiovisual Formatting
(Webinar)
October 13, online
Assessing Your Digital Preservation
Readiness
(Webinar)
October 20, online
14
Professional Development Opportunities Beyond New England
Digital Directions: Fundamentals of Creating And Managing Digital Collections
Hosted by Northeast Document Conservation Center
August 3 • Raleigh, North Carolina
More info: http://nedcc.org
The Power of Possibility
2015 AASLH Annual Meeting
September 19 • Louisville, Kentucky
More info: http://learn.aaslh.org
Make the Connection
Society of American Archivists Annual Conference • August 16-22 • Cleveland, Ohio
More info: www2.archivists.org/am2015.
Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS)
Unconference & Workshops • Hosted by the Society of American Archivists
August 19, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland, Ohio
Registration is handled separately from the SAA Annual Conference!
More info: bitly.com/SAA15TPS. •
Maine Archives & Museums Newsletter
Vol. 18, No. 3
MAINE ARCHIVES & MUSEUMS
Be a part of
Maine Archives & Museums!
Maine Archives & Museums (MAM) is
the only professional association representing museums, archives, historical societies,
and other collecting institutions in the state of
Maine. Our purpose is to develop and foster a
network of citizens and institutions in Maine
who identify, collect, interpret, and/or provide
access to materials relating to history, living
collections, and culture.
Our vital services to Maine’s cultural community include:
• Quarterly newsletter, in print and on-line
• Annual Conference
• Annual professional development
workshops through the state
• Listings on our website
• Valuable member discounts on archival
products at a variety of vendors
• Research and advocacy
Our members are Maine’s collecting institutions (museums, libraries, historical societies,
archives) as well as students, volunteers, paid
and unpaid professionals, other cultural organizations, affiliated businesses, and the inter-
ested public. The support and participation of
our members enable MAM to provide everexpanding services to Maine’s community of
collecting institutions. By working together,
we strengthen our collective resources and
realize our shared mission.
Membership Categories and Dues
All members receive:
• Quarterly newsletter sent by mail
• Reduced rate for MAM conferences &
workshops
• Member rate for ads in MAM’s
newsletter
• Discounts at Gaylord, Brodart, and
University Products (e-mail MAM for
information)
• Free event and job listings in MAM’s
newsletter and on MAM’s website
• Regular e-mail updates from MAM
INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Annual budget $15,000 or less..................$25
Annual budget $15,001 – $50,000............$40
Annual budget $50,001 – $100,000..........$50
Annual budget $100,001 – $500,000........$75
Annual budget over $500,000.................$150
Additional benefits for Institutional members:
• Member rate for all staff and volunteers to
attend MAM conferences and workshops
• One free listing on “Find a Museum/Archive”
feature on MAM’s website
• E-mail updates from MAM delivered directly
to up to four institutional e-mail addresses
BUSINESS MEMBERSHIPS
Consultant (single-member firm)..............$25
Partnership (two-member firm).................$40
Corporate (multiple employees)................$75
Additional benefits for Business members:
•Member rate for all staff to attend MAM
conferences and workshops
• One highlighted listing on “Service Provider”
feature on MAM’s website
• E-mail updates from MAM delivered directly to up to four company e-mail addresses
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS
Basic/Student*...........................................$25
Patron.........................................................$75
Benefactor................................................$150
Additional benefits for Individual members:
•Member rate to attend MAM conferences and workshops (one reduced rate with
Basic membership, unlimited for Patron and
Benefactor)
The Passionate
Photographer:
Kosti Ruohomaa’s
Maine in Magazine
Photojournalism
Kosti Ruohomaa, Monhegan Island, 1957. Published as part
of a photo essay in National Geographic, February 1959.
Photograph courtesy Maine State Museum, ©Black Star
T
he Maine State Museum’s newest exhibition, featuring the photography of Kosti Ruohomaa, opened in a new museum gallery space
on Saturday, July 18, 2015.
Kosti Ruohomaa (1913-1961), a Finnish-American photographer from
Rockland, Maine, published widely in major pictorial and news magazines of the 1940s and 1950s, such as Life and Look, and newspapers
such as The New York Times and The Boston Globe. His assignments
took him all over the country, as well as throughout Canada and
overseas. But he was known especially for his images of Maine and
New England, particularly photographic essays that captured the vast
land and seascape, drama of the seasons, richness of rural life, and
integrity of Maine people.
“Kosti Ruohomaa brought a depth and dramatic artistry to his work that
distinguished it from news documentary photography of the day,” comments the exhibition curator, Deanna Bonner-Ganter of the Maine State
Museum. “In the exhibit, visitors will see Ruohomaa’s many insightful
photographs of rural people, but his work to capture settings bathed in
fog, the light of night and dawn, and the myriad moods of winter truly
set him apart and reveal his originality.”
The exhibition at the museum includes about sixty images, as well
as vintage magazines in which Ruohomaa’s photographs were published and personal scrapbooks that Ruohomaa kept to document his
career. The Passionate Photographer is the first comprehensive exhibition of Ruohomaa’s work and is based on Bonner-Ganter’s decadeslong research. A biography about Ruohomaa by Bonner-Ganter and
published by Down East, is scheduled to be released in September.
The Passionate Photographer: Kosti Ruohomaa’s Maine and Magazine
Photojournalism will be on view until July 2016 and is also part of
the Maine Photo Project, a year-long celebration of photography that
features a wide variety of programs and exhibits at 32 cultural organizations across Maine (www.mainephotoproject.org). In conjunction with
the Maine Photo Project, Down East Books will also be publishing a
new history of photography in Maine. Please see p. 5.
The Maine State Museum is located at 230 State Street in Augusta and
is open Tuesday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is closed on Sunday, Monday, and all
state holidays. For more information, call 207-287-2301 or check the
museum’s website at www.mainestatemuseum.org. •
Send news directly to MAM Newsletter Editor • [email protected]