December 2025
December 7 at 2:00pm: Machiasport Historical Society Christmas Party, Machiasport
Please join the Machiasport Historical Society for their annual Christmas party from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday, December 7th, at the historic Gates House in Machiasport. Celebrate America’s upcoming 250th birthday by enjoying Maine’s traditional warm Christmas beverage wassail along with coffee, tea and an array of sandwiches and Christmas treats. Built in 1810 by Nathan Gates, the Gates House is a beautiful Federal-style home turned museum and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Gates’s House is located in Machiasport at 344 Port Road.
- October 2025
October 30 at 6:30pm: Ken Burns' American Revolution Screenings and Panel Discussion, Portland
The American Revolution, a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, premieres on November 16, 2025 on Maine Public Television. Watch the series trailer here! Maine Public is holding two community preview events in October replete with post-viewing panel discussions.
Click here to secure your free tickets!
Hannaford Hall on the campus of the University of Southern Maine
88 Bedford Street in Portland
Panelists:- Darren J Ranco. PhD, Professor of Anthropology and Coordinator of Native American Research at UMAINE
- Ashley Towle, PhD, Associate Dean, CAHS, Associate Professor of History and Women & Gender Studies at USM
- Libby Bischof, PhD, Professor of History, University Historian, Executive Director, Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education at USM
October 25 from 2-5pm: Trick or Treat and Mystery & History Tour at the Gates House, Machiasport
Join the Machiasport Historical Society for their first ever "Trick or Treat and Mystery & History Tour at the Gates House" Saturday, October 25, from 2-5 pm. Machiasport enjoys a treasure trove of stories and folklore that are every bit a part of the history of our region, and they would love to share them with you with a Mystery and History Tour of the Gates House. Learn about the unexplained noises we sometimes hear upstairs and the shifting eyes from our creepy-looking dolls! Hear about the “Battle of the Margaretta,” the first naval engagement of the American Revolutionary War, the shipwrecks in our surrounding waters, and the tragedy of a cursed ship. All ages are welcome, and of course we will have treats for all the visitors throughout the tour and gift bags at the end for the school-age children. Join us, “IF YOU DARE” for a fun and educational experience in a historic home built in 1810 along the banks of the historic & legendary Machias River. The Gates House is located at 344 Port Road, Machiasport, Maine.
October 18: America from the Ashes: Revolution and the Burning of Falmouth, Greater Portland
On October 18, 1775, the British Navy bombarded the town of Falmouth—now Portland—setting it ablaze and igniting revolutionary fervor across the colonies. 250 years later, on Saturday, October 18, 2025, walk the path of history with America from the Ashes, a family-friendly trail experience that brings this pivotal moment to life.
Featuring programs, activities, and exhibits from the First Parish Church, Greater Portland Landmarks, Maine Historical Society, Maine Ulster-Scots Project, Osher Map Library, Spirits Alive at Eastern Cemetery, and Tate House Museum, the trail invites visitors of all ages to engage with the people, places, and perspectives that shaped Maine’s revolutionary journey. Enjoy hands-on activities, walking tours, historic house tours, and interactive exhibits that connect past and present.
October 16 at 6:30pm: Ken Burns' American Revolution Screenings and Panel Discussion, Auburn
The American Revolution, a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt, premieres on November 16, 2025 on Maine Public Television. Watch the series trailer here! Maine Public is holding two community preview events in October replete with post-viewing panel discussions.
Click here to secure your free tickets!
Donald M. Gay Performing Arts Center at Edward Little High School
77 Harris Street in AuburnPanelists:
- Liam Riordan, PhD, Adelaide and Alan Bird Professor of History, Department Chair at UMaine
- Joseph M. Hall Jr., PhD, Associate Professor of History at Bates College
- Mihku Paul, BA, MFA, Wolastoqey Poet & Activist “Core Advisory Council at Atlantic Black Box”
- Strother E. Roberts, PhD, Associate Professor of History at Bowdoin College
- September 2025
September 13: Maine Open Lighthouse Day, Statewide
Today is Maine Open Lighthouse Day! Lighthouses across the state, both on and off shore, will be open to visitors. Be sure to check the American Lighthouse Foundation’s website for a list of participating lighthouses, timing, and accessibility. Don’t forget to bring your lighthouse passport for a stamp!
September 17: Constitution Day, Machias
Celebrate Constitution Day, September 17, in Machias with the Hannah Weston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and local historical societies! Beginning at Burnham Tavern at 3:45pm and continuing at the Centre Street Congregational Church at 4pm, join in the tradition of Bells Across America with the ringing of one of the few remaining original Paul Revere bells. For more information, click here.
September 19-20: Reenacting the Bombardment of Portland by the British, Portland
Our friends at the Tate House have announced a two-day commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Burning of Falmouth with their “Flames to Freedom” events beginning this Friday, September 19. As part of the event, the museum will reenact one of the most significant events in Portland’s past, with the British Ship HMS Canceaux sailing into Casco Bay to help. Click here for event details and ticket information.
- May 3, 2025
Jane’s Walk is a global festival of free, volunteer-led walking conversations inspired by community activist Jane Jacobs. Jane’s Walks combine the simple act of exploring a place with personal observations, local history, and civic engagement.
The annual Jane’s Walk festival takes place the first weekend in May, in more than 200 cities and towns around the globe. In 2025, the walk roster will be available in mid-April and the festival will be held in Maine on Saturday, May 3.
Jane Jacobs was a community activist and writer who lived from 1916-2006. She is best known for galvanizing her neighbors to stop a highway from being built in their community. She believed in the power of individuals to influence the places they live. Today, her principles represent the participatory planning approaches that have been embraced in communities around the world.
- April 18, 2025
Two Lights for Tomorrow - A Nationwide Call to Action
Two Lights for Tomorrow is a nationwide initiative to commence the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The famous ride of Paul Revere occurred overnight April 18–19, 1775. Two Lights for Tomorrow originated out of multi-state collaboration at A Common Cause to All in Williamsburg and uses the imagery of that shining light 250 years ago as a uniting call to action today for our fellow citizens, no matter where they are, to commemorate and remind ourselves that our history is about working together for a better tomorrow.
At its heart it is a call across the country, in private homes, local communities, and statehouses alike, for two lights to be displayed to remind us all of the importance to come together to form a more perfect union.
Two Lights for Tomorrow Events Across Maine:
Augusta (Maine State Capitol)
- At 11:30 a.m. join us in the Hall of Flags in the state capitol for a press conference with Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and enjoy excerpts of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, "Paul Revere’s Ride," read by Portland Youth Poet Laureate Yashaswini Derisala.
- At 7:30 p.m., join us in Capitol Park for the lighting!
Caribou
- Lighting (not sure where yet)
Falmouth
- Lights at the Falmouth Historical Society, Falmouth Town Hall, Falmouth Congregational Church, Emmaus Lutheran Church, and OceanView at Falmouth
Gorham
- Gorham Historical Society will hold a lighting at First Parish Church and ring the Paul Revere bell.
Hampden
- Hampden Garden Club will host a potluck, reading of "Paul Revere’s Ride," story sharing, music, and other activities at Harmony Hall. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and will conclude with the ringing of the Paul Revere bell and lantern lighting at 7:30 p.m.
Orrington
- Lanterns in the Town Hall cupola
- Lanterns in individual homes
Portland
- Lights at Henry Wadsworth Longfellow House
- Lights at Maine Historical Society
- Spirits Alive at Eastern Cemetery
- 7 p.m. reading of "Paul Revere’s Ride" and lighting
- On Saturday, April 19 there will be a special tour of Eastern Cemetery featuring Revolutionary War graves.
Presque Isle
- Lights at City Hall
- Lights at Presque Isle Historical Society
South Portland
- Bell ringing at Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse at 6 p.m.
Thomaston
- Lighting and ringing of Paul Revere Bell at the Henry Knox Museum.
Winterport
- Lighting at the Union Meeting House at 7 p.m. and a reading of "Paul Revere’s Ride."