Upcoming Events
Fall/Winter 2024-2025
All events are free for current members of South Portland Historical Society and $20 for non-members, *unless otherwise noted. Annual family memberships are available for $25.
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*Sunday, December 8, 2024, 1pm - Jack Norby recites A Child’s Christmas in Wales. Society member Jack Nordby will return for an encore performance of his recital of the Dylan Thomas classic, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, at the historical society’s museum at Bug Light Park. A Child's Christmas in Wales is a much-loved, almost lyrical tale of childhood Christmas memories. This 25-minute star of Thomas' work is best heard aloud for the "music" in the words. **This is a free event.**
Thursday, January 16, 2025, 6:30pm - Society historian Matt Christoforo will present "Defending Casco Bay During WWII." This lecture will be held in the Casco Bay room of the South Portland Community Center. During the war, Portland was the departure point for North Atlantic convoys transporting supplies to our European allies. Portland Harbor and Casco Bay were heavily defended to protect naval infrastructure and the bustling Liberty ship yards.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 6:30pm - Seth Goldstein will discuss clipper ships, including those built along the shore of the city known today as South Portland. We know of at least four clippers built locally , including the Snow Squall. These ships are widely considered to be the fastest and most beautiful commercial sailing vessels ever constructed. Seth will share stories of sadistic captains and horrible storms amongst other topics related to these "greyhounds of the sea." This presentation will be held in the Casco Bay room of the South Portland Community Center.
March 2025 lecture, date TBA - encore presentation - Kathy DiPhilippo and Seth Goldstein will collaborate on a fascinating presentation about South Portland’s WWII Liberty ship shipyards. Through this presentation, to be held in the Casco Bay room of the South Portland Community Center, participants will discover why the vessels were so important to the war effort, how the shipyards changed the community, and about the roughly 3,700 women who worked at the yards.
April 2025 lecture, date TBA - Seth Goldstein will present a preview lecture of our 2025 exhibit covering the history of the Maine Mall. Originally covered by swampland and a pig farm, the Maine Mall and surrounding shopping areas were developed in the 1970s. We'll enjoy a nostalgic look back at events like the opening of Star Wars at the Maine Mall Cinema, picking a favorite flavor at Deering Ice Cream, or enjoying dinner at York Steak House. This presentation will be held in the Casco Bay room of the South Portland Community Center.
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PAST PROGRAMS:
Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 6:30pm - Seth Goldstein will present "Maine's Historic Fisheries" in the Casco Bay room of the South Portland Community Center, 21 Nelson Road. The Wabanaki have been harvesting fish and shellfish in the Gulf of Maine for thousands of years. They were joined by Europeans in the early 17th century. These fishermen established the first European settlements in Maine. Seth will discuss the abundance of sea life that attracted European colonists to Maine's shores. Over the course of the presentation, participants will come to understand how the ecosystem of the Gulf of Maine was impacted by overfishing and how technological advances in the industry contributed to declining fish stocks.
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*Saturday, October 5, 2024, 1pm - Seth Goldstein will offer his “People’s History of the South Portland Waterfront” tour. The tour focuses on regional Indigenous history, African enslavement, and Seth’s research on the West Indies trade. The rain date for this tour is October 12. The tour will depart from the campus of SMCC. Tours are $10 for current members; $25 for non-members. Pre-registration is required; please call (207-767-7299) or email developmentsphistorical@gmail.com to register for any tour.
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*Saturday, October 19, 2024, 11am - Kathy DiPhilippo will offer a tour at Mount Pleasant Cemetery on Meeting House Hill. Kathy will talk about South Portland’s history and the many well-known South Portlanders who are buried in this cemetery that dates back to 1734. The rain date for this tour is October 26. Tours are $10 for current members; $25 for non-members. Pre-registration is required; please call (207-767-7299) or email developmentsphistorical@gmail.com to register for any tour.
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Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 6:30pm - Ron Romano will present "Understanding Symbolism on Maine's Early Gravestones." The lecture will be held in the Casco Bay room of the South Portland Community Center, 21 Nelson Road. Cemeteries are rich with folk art. Beautifully hand-carved gravestones created by local stonecutters are readily found as you stroll through the burial places in use since the colonial period. But what do the gravestone symbols - rising suns, skulls & crossed bones, and pointing fingers - really mean? In this heavily-illustrated presentation, cemetery historian and author Ron Romano will describe the "anatomy" of a gravestone, discuss the types of materials found in our burying grounds, and explain the meanings of dozens of gravestone images.
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​*Sunday, November 10, 2024, 11am-1pm - Sunday Chat with Kathryn Onos DiPhilippo at the Cushing's Point Museum at Bug Light Park - Kathy is the South Portland Historical Society's executive director and the author of South Portland: A Nostalgic Look at Our Neighborhood Stores. She also researches and writes the Society's weekly column in the South Portland Sentry. **Books will be available for purchase and signing at this free event**
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 6:30pm - Historian and author Jeremy D'Entremont will share a lecture about the lighthouses of Casco Bay. The lecture will be held in the Casco Bay room of the South Portland Community Center, 21 Nelson Road. Jeremy is the author of several books on the topic of New England lighthouses. GPS and other technology have made lighthouses obsolete today, but historically they were essential to the region's booming sea-born commerce. The occupation of lighthouse keeper was a coveted occupation that was highly regarded. Come listen to Jeremy recount stories of colorful lighthouse keepers and horrific storms. **Books will be available for purchase and signing.**
*Sunday, November 17, 2024, 11am-1pm - Sunday Chat with Jean Flahive and Michael Connolly at the Cushing's Point Museum at Bug Light Park - Jean Flahive is the author of many books, some of which include Billy Boy, Railroad to the Moon, and a children’s book, The Old Mainer and the Sea. Michael Connolly is the author of Seated by the Sea: The Maritime History of Portland, Maine, and its Irish Longshoremen and his recently published historical fiction Murky Overhead. **Books will be available for purchase and signing at this free event**
*Sunday, November 24, 2024, 11am-1pm - Sunday Chat with Paul Ledman at the Cushing's Point Museum at Bug Light Park - Paul’s newest book, Portland Maine: Connections Across Time, is an intriguing work that connects Portland history to contemporary global events. The book is packed with maps and photographs that help the reader understand the many connections between historic Portland and national and global trends. Paul is also the author Walking Through History: Portland, Maine on Foot. **Books will be available for purchase and signing at this free event**
*Sunday, December 1, 2024, 11am-1pm - Sunday Chat with Ken Thompson at the Cushing's Point Museum at Bug Light Park - Military historian Ken Thompson is the author of several books. Some titles include Portland Head Light & Fort Williams: An Illustrated History; Civil War Maine Hall of Fame; and Civil War Commodores and Admirals. **Books will be available for purchase and signing at this free event**