Ships in a harbor reflect the maritime world of that period. They speak of the technology available to shipbuilders and navigators, the cargoes and routes, and the demands made by events happening in the larger world on their work. The cities that surround the port and the lives of the people who live there are shaped by the needs of these ships.

The format of the exhibit will be an overview of the history of Portland Harbor from the mast trade of the colonial period to the harbor of today which is shared by fishing boats, oil tankers, bulk cargo carriers, cruise ships and pleasure craft.

In each era a particular type of vessel will be highlighted. For instance, in the early part of the 19th century the United States was engaged in developing an international trade. The clipper ship symbolizes this period of brisk maritime trade and the adventurous spirit of the entrepreneurs. Portland invested a great deal of money in constructing Commercial St. to take advantage of the rising economy.

Four shipyards built ships for the China tea trade, the California Gold Rush, the Caribbean molasses trade and any other opportunity that offered. The harbor was full of coastal schooners and great square riggers, packets going to England, and a fishing fleet.

The towns surrounding the harbor worked to provide the goods shipped from the harbor, and to care for the fleet which called Portland Harbor home port. Clipper ships like the Snow Squall, launched in 1851 from a small yard in what was then Cape Elizabeth, are fitting symbols of that adventuresome era when maritime trade not only dominated the economic life of the citizens but also gave the local communities the character and salty flavor they retain today.

The proposed change of location for the exhibit presents the museum with a wonderful opportunity to tell its story to a wider audience. Not only will the Oceangate facility give us direct access to tourists who come by sea but also to local visitors.

At present our visitors tend to find us through brochures at various tourist centers or their hotels. The larger part of them are visiting Maine for the first time. We have wanted to increase our visibility in our own community and this very accessible space offers us a larger "walk-in" population. Of course, like most museums today we need income from our gift shop to support our work and the new proposed location will also give us that as well as double the exhibit space.

We can expand our permanent exhibits on the clipper ship Snow Squall and Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, acquired by the museum through the Maine Lights Program in 1998, into areas we now use for changing exhibits. This wonderful opportunity brings serious challenges. The area provided by the Port of Portland in Oceangate will be a "clean, white space."

We will need to construct a secure and attractive gallery and shop within it as well as build an exhibit. We will need every bit of our energy and ingenuity to accomplish all this -- but we are confident in the skills of the staff, Board and volunteers ... just look at what's already been accomplished! -Maggie Beals

Wanted:
Photos of Portland Harbor and the surrounding communities during World War II. This type of photo record is very hard to find. The shipyard was well documented by professional photographers but the record of everyday life is limited. When 30,000 workers flooded the area and the Army and Navy maintained a large presence in the harbor and islands there have to be photos taken by local people out there.