We have done another round up of some of the most exciting events having to do with historic preservation, history, and historic sites. From Mid-Century Modern to Neighborhood Celebrations to Spooky Spirits you will find the perfect event for you!

1) New Mural Celebration at Artist & Crafstman Supply and Speedwell Projects. Friday, September 29, 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

The Friends of Woodfords Corner know how to have a good time while creating a neighborhood you'll want to live in. Check out the new art on display at this historic corner of off-peninsula Portland along with the Odd Fellows Hall and Woodford F&B.

2) Cruising Casco Bay: A History of Casco Bay Lines, Tuesday, October 3, 4:30 pm

Here is an event you can stay home for! Casco Bay Lines and Maine Historical are screening the documentary, "Cruising Casco Bay: A History of Casco Bay Lines" but their event is sold out! Don't despair: "Because there are so many people interested in seeing the documentary, Casco Bay Lines will release the full version of the documentary on their website (https://www.cascobaylines.com/) on October 3 at 4:30 p.m., simultaneously with the live screening." Why go out when you can stay in?!

3) One Neighborhood, Many Cultures: The India Street Neighborhood and the Abyssinian Meeting House, Saturday, October 7, 10:00 am

Ever wondered what the Abyssinian house was like inside? Join us for an hour long walking tour of the historic India Street neighborhood as we explore how the peoples of the neighborhood shaped the architecture and buildings that we see today. Of particular interest will be the places of worship that represented these communities and the important role that they played in the neighborhood. While touring the neighborhood, we’ll walk by the Shaarey Tphiloh Synagogue and St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church. The tour will conclude with an opportunity to go inside the Abyssinian Meeting House, the 3rd oldest African-American meeting house in the country, currently under restoration.

4) Annual Fire Museum Open House, Saturday, October 7, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

The sign on the door of the Fire Museum says "see the huge percheron fire horses in the fire museum horse stalls. Antique fire trucks lining Spring Street. Portland firefighter movies. Free Entry. Suggested donation, $5, $2 for children." That seems worth stopping by to see the unusual site! 157 Spring Street, Portland.

5) An 18th Century Bill of Fare, Tuesday, October 10, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Bread-baking, Cheese-making, and Beer-brewing, oh my! Susan McLellan Plaisted, a hearth cooking historian who gives demonstrations through-out the Northeast will be sharing these processes and dining customs at the Tate House. A unique opportunity to consider foodways of another century.

6) Lincoln Park Re-Dedication, Wednesday, October 11, 4:00 pm

Originally known as Phoenix Square, Lincoln Park, once named a Place In Peril, is rising again.
The Friends of Lincoln Park have worked hard to preserve and rebuild this park for all of Portland. "The pathways have been repaved in the tradition of its past, the fountain has been completely restored by Sculpture Conservator Jonathan Taggart, with its basin relined, reset, and entirely refitted with modern plumbing. The City of Portland will undertake the task of refurbishing the iron fence forged by The Portland Company in 1866, and it will be done once section at a time." Celebrate this joyous occasion with The Friends, a band, speakers, and "the restored fountain turned on in full force, the first time in many years. "

7) Preserving the Wood Island Lighthouse, Thursday, October 12, 6:00 - pm 8:00 pm

Okay, this one is in Biddeford, so a little out of our Greater Portland Region, but they have an incredible line-up of preservation lectures. The first lecture is all about preserving the Wood Island Light House! And the January event will feature our own Julie Larry, Director of Advocacy, talking about successful preservation projects! Historic Preservation anywhere in Maine is good for everyone.

8) When Modernism Came to Maine, Sunday, October 15, 2:30 pm Lecture, 4:00 pm Celebration

This event is 2-in-1 and continues our Mid-Mod year! We are hosting a lecture from the one-and-only Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr. at the mid-century modern Holy Cross Church in South Portland where he will present an illustrated talk about Maine's mid-century modern domestic architecture. Afterwards we will walk across the street to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the South Portland Public Library and its mid-century modern building! Refreshments will be offered. The lecture is ticketed, the celebration is free and open to the public. Join us for either or both events!

9) Help Your Building Get to the Next Century: Energy Performance, Sustainability and Durability. Wednesday, October 18, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Learn about the principles behind making existing buildings more energy efficient and the products, practices, and available resources that can help property owners conserve energy and meet sustainability goals from Peter Taggart. The workshop will provide guiding principles and specific techniques and efforts that can be taken to save energy, improve occupant health, and promote durability and sustainability of older buildings There will be time to discuss strategies for specific situations and to ask questions. This workshop is open to everyone. REALTORS will qualify for 3 MREC approved CEU credits.

10) Annual MHS Olmsted Lecture 2017, Thursday, October 19, 6:30 pm

Parks are an important part of our historic and cultural landscape. MHS is hosting Addy Smith-Reiman, executive director of Portland Society for Architecture. "The environmental, economic, and equitable considerations that challenged Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. nearly two centuries ago confront contemporary practitioners in the planning, design, and stewardship of our public open spaces today. Parks, roads, civic squares, campuses, and communities are the literal common ground reflecting societal values and needs. As these needs and values change, some see progress, while others see threats. Is there a balance?"

11) Walk Among the Shadows, October 19-22 & October 26-28, Check website for times.

It's Back! After a one year break, Spirits Alive's much anticipated return of their Walk Among the Shadows tour is here and better than ever! Eastern Cemetery will be very lively when "5 ghostly storytellers will materialize in Eastern Cemetery with mysterious stories of the supernatural" in their new program, Uncanny Tales on the Hill: Historical Shivers in Eastern Cemetery.

12) Trick-or-Treat at the Observatory! Tuesday, October 31, 5-8 pm

Celebrate Halloween Lemuel Moody style! The first floor (only) of the Tower will be decorated and open to any Trick-or-Treaters from 5-8 pm. Some ghosts of the Portland Observatory's past are likely to stop by too!

13) What does it Mean to Own a Property in a Local Historic District?, Thursday, November 9, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Portland has eleven local historic districts and if you own property or are thinking about owning property in one of those districts do you know exactly what that means? With this program you’ll learn the guidelines that govern exterior changes along with the criteria for construction and renovations. In addition, this program will describe the designation process for landmark buildings and historic districts. The program will conclude with a walk in one of the first local historic districts in Portland – the Western Promenade – where a variety of residential styles are represented.This is the last workshop in a series that qualifies REALTORS for 3 CEUs but is open to EVERYONE!