1961: In the 1960s and early 70s, Urban Renewal was in full swing in Portland. The program encouraged large-scale demolition and reconfiguration of urban areas to accommodate “modern” development and the automobile. Many historic buildings fell to the wrecking ball – the Falmouth Hotel (1868), the Old Post Office (1868), and the Grand Trunk Railroad Terminal (1903) to name a few. Swaths of buildings were cleared to make way for the Franklin Street and Spring Street arterials. An entire historic neighborhood just east of India Street and off Fore Street was replaced with Model Cities housing. The demolition of Union Station (1888) in August 1961 was a rallying cry to those who wished to preserve Portland’s identity. The train station, beloved by people throughout the community, was immediately replaced by a strip shopping center.

1962: Edith Sills, civic leader and wife of the former president of Bowdoin College, gathered concerned citizens in her Vaughan Street living room in 1962 to form an organization to advocate for the preservation of Portland’s historic architecture. Among those present was Deering High School student Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr., who later became the director of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

1963: The fledgling group begins architectural surveys: a key part of later efforts to establish historic districts

1964: Greater Portland Landmarks incorporates as a group passionate about saving our community’s historic resources, with John Calvin Stevens II, grandson of acclaimed Portland architect John Calvin Stevens, as President.

1965: Landmarks publishes the first walking tour brochure of the Spring Street neighborhood

1966: Landmarks mobilizes. First newsletter, 294 members, cash balance $1,750

1967: Gruen Plan for urban renewal (Gruen’s General Neighborhood Renewal Plan featured ring highway with downtown parking plus proposed 4-lane express highway on Commercial Street) adopted by City of Portland. 100 structures demolished in 1967, an unknown number of families relocated. (earlier demolition of Little Italy began in 1958). City is cut in two.

1967: Maine state historic preservation legislation enables communities to create local historic districts

1967: Landmarks leads first walking tours, and in collaboration with the Junior League, saves the Daniel How House (1799). A key to Landmarks’ early victories was the Revolving Fund, established in 1967, when low real estate prices allowed for the purchase, rehabilitation, and subsequent sale of some of Portland’s important historic properties. Using the Revolving Fund, properties like the Gothic House (1845), the H.H. Hay Building (1826, 1922) above, the Crockett-Hunt House (1825) and the How House (1799) were purchased and rehabilitated. They were then sold to individuals who were committed to preserving the buildings’ historical and architectural significance and to their rehabilitation. Proceeds from the sale of these buildings replenished the Fund, hence the term “Revolving Fund.” Landmarks holds easements on many of these buildings and must approve exterior changes

1968: Advisory service established to help homeowners restore their properties

1969: Pamela Plumb is hired as the first Executive Director. The position is funded by a grant from the Junior League

1970: Landmarks sought designation of historic districts on the newly-formed National Register of Historic Places to raise awareness and influence development projects in historic neighborhoods. The strategy worked. Landmarks saved the Park Street Row and several blocks of historic buildings from destruction. The city had to stop the Spring Street arterial at the corner of High and Spring Streets because the newly-designated Spring Street Historic District would be adversely impacted by the federally-funded transportation project.

1971: Landmarks’ policy of identifying buildings at risk from urban renewal and rescuing as many as possible included moving the Gothic House (1845) to a new location in 1971. A four-lane arterial replaced its original site at 86 Spring Street. Today this fine example of Carpenter Gothic thrives in Portland’s West End. 

1972: Landmarks publishes Portland, the first comprehensive book about Portland’s social history and architecture

1974: Annual awards are established, Old Port Exchange Association receives the first award

1975: Marker Program established to build awareness of historic architecture.

1975: Beginning in 1975, Landmarks focused its political energy on establishing a local historic preservation ordinance. An early effort failed to gain approval in 1978, and the battle continued until the City Council passed the ordinance in 1990.

1976: Landmarks, with the City of Portland and Maine Historic Preservation Commission, compiles the first historic building inventory, which becomes the blueprint for the Historic Districts of Portland

1977: Landmarks moves to the Crockett-Hunt House (1825) at 165 State Street

1978-80: Landmarks saves and sells the H.H. Hay Building (1826, 1922) and retains a preservation easement

1978: Landmarks launches its walking tours titled Upstairs Down in the Old Port… life above the street

1982: Landmarks assumes management of the Portland Observatory (1807) from the city

1983: Summer tour program begins

1984: Landmarks revives a Preservation Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation

1985: Landmarks raises funds for second Tommy’s Park mural and contributes $10,000 from Revolving Fund for Post Office Park project across the street

1986: In 1986, a large condominium and retail development at Long Wharf was proposed, igniting protests from preservationists and advocates of the working waterfront. With overwhelming support from the membership, Landmarks sued the City of Portland for failing to adhere to its own planning policies. After eight months of negotiation, the development was reduced in scale, but ultimately the economic downturn killed the project.

1987: Landmarks participates in conversion of Rosa True School (1844) to housing

1988: Landmarks rallies to protest the demolition of the John B. Carroll Block (1857) across the street from Victoria Mansion. The building is destroyed, but the city passes a stronger demolition delay ordinance that saves the Tracy-Causer Block (1866)

1988: Landmarks publishes Congress Street: A Guide to building Rehabilitation and New Construction

1989: Under contract to the City of Portland, Landmarks prepares the Historic Resources Design Manual to support Portland’s historic preservation ordinance

1990: Landmarks’ 15-year battle for Portland historic preservation ordinance succeeds in establishing 8 historic districts.

1993: Landmarks works to save the balconies and historic interiors at City Hall Auditorium by retrofitting instead of the proposed complete gutting of the interior

1994: Landmarks backs Eastern Promenade Trail along with Portland’s master planning for parks and green spaces

1996: Landmarks holds the first Old House Trade Show.

1997: Landmarks co-sponsors monument restoration with Maine Bank & Trust; the Soldiers & Sailors Monument (1891) looks fresh again

1998: Landmarks launches The City is a Classroom, a curriculum for third graders highlighting Portland’s architecture and history.

1998: Landmarks leads Campaign to Save the Observatory in partnership with the City of Portland, Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization, and the Portland Marine Society, with $1.28 donated by organizations, foundations, businesses, and individuals for complete restoration to return the building to its former glory.

1999: Landmarks publishes Bold Vision: The Development of the Parks of Portland, Maine

1999: Loss of the Two Lights Keeper’s House in Cape Elizabeth points out need for historic preservation in surrounding communities.

2000: Portland Observatory reopens to public with new interpretive exhibits and guided tours, serving about 800 schoolchildren and 7,500 visitors. By 2014, the number had climbed to 10,000 visitors annually

2000: Master planning for the east end of the waterfront begins with strong Landmarks participation

2001: Landmarks receives Preservation Honor Award from National Trust for Historic Preservation for Portland Observatory restoration (one of only 15 awards from over 200 nominations)

2002: Bayside and India Street surveys completed

2003: City threatens to cut funding for Historic Preservation Program. Landmarks makes the case for the economic benefits of preservation, and funding is restored.

2003: Landmarks publishes JCS on the Portland Peninsula: 1880-1940 by Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr. and updates Researching the Old House

2004: Landmarks develops a five-year strategic plan to strengthen programming and support, and to establish capital campaign to purchase headquarters building

2004: Landmarks sells 165 State Street and leases the building while seeking a new location

2004: Landmarks participates in Eastern Promenade Master Plan

2004: In 2004, with strong backing from Landmarks and support from the City Council, Portland adopted a stronger historic preservation ordinance. The city’s Historic Preservation Committee achieved Board status with full decision-making authority. Meanwhile, in a climate of increased real estate development, Landmarks strengthened its advocacy for historic preservation and well-design new architecture in historic contexts.

2006: Landmarks convenes key players at Martin’s Point. Historic Marine Hospital (1859) is completely rehabilitated and reopens in 2007.

2007: Landmarks develops 14 Guiding Principles for Maine State Pier redevelopment project. Project never realized as economy slumps.

2008: National Trust Preservation Leadership Training workshop, presented in Portland in partnership with Landmarks, features the historic Baxter Library (1888)

2009: Saff???

2010: In 2010 Landmarks brought together residents, business owners, and community leaders to support the Congress Street Historic District, unanimously approved by the city council.

2010: New Deering book builds awareness of “Off peninsula” Portland

2012: Landmarks launches Places in Peril Program, with 7 properties including the Abyssinian Meeting House (1826) which is then named in 2013 as one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 11 Most Endangered Properties.

2012: Landmarks began intensive advocacy in 2012 to create an India Street historic district, to save the character of a neighborhood threatened by massive new development projects (happened in XX?)

2013: Landmarks acts as a resource for the preservation of the Custom House (1868-71). Restoration complete, Landmarks begins giving tours of the interior.

2013: Landmarks updates The City is a Classroom, which becomes the mandatory text on Portland’s history and architecture for all third graders in Portland’s public schools. In 2014 it wins the NEMA Publication Awards Best in Show.

2014: Landmarks celebrates 50 years, with a year-long celebration and special programming. Annual Report