Museum Roundup News & Updates from the Maine State Museum March 2021 Women Making History Women’s History Month this March brings a time for reflection on the 100th anniversary of most women winning the right to vote, commemorated across the state and nation in 2019 and 2020. The impact of that historic effort continues to play out today. In last November’s general election, which had the highest voter turnout in at least a century, women voted at even higher rates than men. The Maine State Museum’s exhibition, Women’s Long Road – 100 Years to the Vote explored the roots of the women’s suffrage movement. See the online version of the exhibition here and watch for more stories throughout this month and beyond about history-making women in Maine.

The Latest... You asked, and we listened. Our educators are developing live virtual programs for schools and homeschools across Maine! Last week, we piloted a “Rocks & Minerals” program with three virtual classes.   Maine Women's Suffrage Lesson Plans    Women’s Long Road - 100 Years to the Vote explores the women’s suffrage movement in Maine. This introduction and a series of three lesson plans encourage students to explore the topic through maps, political cartoons, and a recreated debate. Designed for Grades 4-12. A Trip Through Maine in 1820  This Statehood Day, explore Maine woods and waters with an interactive digital map and journal from Joseph Treat and John Neptune’s 1820 journey to survey the new state. Teaching materials to accompany the map are available for grades 8-12.  Who Was Anna Bucknam?  With March’s focus on Maine Statehood Day and women’s history, the State Museum is shining a light on a particularly persistent mystery relating to one of the state’s most important paintings. Shown here, the painting is a ca. 1825 watercolor, co-owned by the museum and Maine Historical Society. It shows a rare view of Maine’s first State House, located on Congress Street in Portland. That State House, from Portland’s days as Maine’s first capital, is the white wooden building on the right. The watercolor has been attributed to Anna M. Bucknam of Cumberland (present-day Yarmouth). She may be the artist who beautifully and accurately depicted this early street view. However, no verification of her identity has been found, nor more discovered about her life and other artistic endeavors. The work and lives of so many talented women have faded into obscurity. If you know more of Anna's story, let us know!

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‌ ‌ ‌ Very few physical artifacts of the women's suffrage campaign in Maine were saved. This 1917 button is a rare survivor, showing the unique and proud Maine identity within the movement. It was loaned to the museum by Lois Galgay Reckitt, who is now donating the button so it can be shared with future generations. Thank you, Lois! You have a chance to win a replica of this button and a copy of the booklet Women’s Long Road -100 Years to the Vote by Candace A. Kanes. Throughout the month of March, we are running a “follower drive” on our social media accounts to grow our online community. Five winners will be mailed packages from the museum! Find the details on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

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