Maine Humanities Council
Home of the Harriet P. Henry Center for the Book

 

November 1, 2008 ~~~ Portland

The Victoria Mansion’s half-day symposium on the architecture of the 1850s will close a year-long celebration of the 150th anniversary of Henry Austin’s famous building, originally known as the Morse-Libby House. Four scholars will address the national and local architectural scene in the 1850s, the mid-century architecture of New Orleans hotels where Morse made his fortune, and the development of the Italian villa syle, of which the Mansion is an outstanding example. The The symposium was designed in consultation with James O’Gorman, author of the forthcoming Henry Austin: In Every Variety of Architectural Style. The symposium takes place at the Portland Club; admission is $25 (free to students), with AIA Continuing Education Learning Units available. To register, call (207) 772-4841.

Back to the Top

November 13, 2008 ~~~ Bethel

The Bethel Historical Society’s 2008 Lecture Series, “Maine History: Varied and Vivid,” began May 8 with a lecture on Benedict Arnold by Thomas Desjardin of the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. On June 12, Neil Rolde spoke on the subject of his most recent biography, James G. Blaine. Donna Cassidy will profile the subject of her biography, Marsden Hartley, on August 8. On September 11, Earle Shettleworth, Jr. addressed “Historic Maine Presidential and Senatorial Election Campaigns, As Recalled by the Political Memorabilia of the Time.” Ben B. Conant, curator for the Paris Cape Historical Society, welcomed fall with a lecture on "Marketing Maine Apples" on October 9. Finally, Barry Mower of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection will address “Androscoggin River Water Quality: Past, Present, and Future” on November 13. For details, please call (207) 824-2910 or visit www.bethelhistorical.org.

Back to the Top

November 20, 2008 ~~~ South Portland

The South Portland Historical Society’s Evening Chats are oral history events, live at City Hall, but also aired on South Portland Community Television and archived in DVD format. Each Chat has a topic pertaining to South Portland’s past. The last of three chats in the 2008 series is expected to focus on the sardine factories that operated on the South Portland waterfront in the early 1900s. Look for details in the Historical Society’s weekly column in the South Portland Sentry, or call (207) 767-3268.

Back to the Top

Through November 16, 2008 ~~~ Portland

André Kertész was a leading photographer of the 20th century. “On Reading,” the exhibition of his work that appears at the Portland Museum of Art this fall (August 30 through November 16, 2008), explores the subject of reading as a basic human endeavor. A full slate of educational programs, including a teacher workshop on September 17 and the October launch of a blog about reading, complements the exhibit and coincides with National Book Month. The blog is now available at www.portlandmuseum.org/about/blog; for information about other programs, please visit www.portlandmuseum.org/events or call (207) 775-6148.

Back to the Top

November 13, 2008 - January 11, 2009 ~~~ Portland

In conjunction with the exhibition “Textiles/Translations,” featuring the work of Alice Spencer, the University of New England’s Gallery of Art will hold a series of five educational programs. Each program will approach textiles from a different perspective: their cultures of origin, their common themes and symbols, the role of women in their creation, and their ability to inspire artists like Spencer. In addition to the general public, students from the Maine College of Art and local high schools will be encouraged to attend the exhibition (November 13, 2008 - January 11, 2009) and related programming. The first two events on the schedule are a gallery talk and slide show with Alice Spencer on November 19 and a Global Textiles Expo on November 23. For details, please call (207) 221-4499 or visit www.une.edu/artgallery.

Back to the Top