AUGUSTA - Rep. Sean Paulhus, D-Bath, reintroduced legislation today to adopt Maine's original flag from 1901 as the state's official flag.
The flag, an image of a blue-colored north star over a lone pine tree on a buff-colored background, was the official flag of Maine from 1901 until 1909, when it was replaced by Maine's current flag.
"In recent years, Mainers everywhere have brought this design back to prominence and popularity," said Paulhus. "The unique and instantly recognizable design now represents a symbol of pride, of place and of home to people across our state. It's time to reclaim the original Maine flag as our official state flag."
Colloquially, the flag has been referred to as the 1820 flag in reference to the year Maine broke from Massachusetts and became its own state. It has also been referred to as the" polaris and pine" or the "star and pine".
Paulhus introduced similar legislation in 2021 but it failed to get the necessary votes in the House.
The proposal was initially introduced in 2019 by then-Rep. Janice Cooper, D-Yarmouth.
The State and Local Government Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
Paulhus is serving his third term in the Maine House and represents the city of Bath. He serves as a member of the Joint Standing Committee on State and Local Government.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Paulhus], c. 305-965-2744