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Walk Among the Shadows, The Portland Rum Riot, 1855 |
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October 17–20 & 24–27, 2024 Thursdays – Saturdays: 6:30pm–7:30pm
Sundays: 5:30pm–6:30pm $10 adults, $5 children under 12 (suggested donation) |
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In 1851, Maine became the first “dry state” in the nation. The passing of Maine’s Prohibition law was accomplished through the tireless efforts of Neal Dow: the teetotaling, temperance crusading, abolitionist, anti-immigrant Mayor of Portland. But four years later, his work was undone. The “Maine Law” was a major victory for Dow and the temperance movement until a fatal mistake: Dow’s pride and the anger of Portland’s working class (mostly Irish and German) exploded into a riot ending in one death, several injuries, and the end of Dow’s political career. In the blackening night, hear from the spirits of Irish tavern keepers, suffering wives, bootleggers, temperance supporters, newsmen, satirists, friends, enemies, and Mayor Dow himself. Tours are first-come, first-served! Groups enter about every 15 minutes. Buy tickets ahead of time reserve your space on Eventbrite or at the gate when you arrive. |
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Eastern Cemetery in fall 2008, by Vivian Turcott |
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4pm daily until October 16
$10 adults, $5 seniors 62+, $0 children 12 and under (suggested donation) |
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This is one of Yankee Magazine's top five cemetery tours in New England! Visit the cemetery's unique field of underground tombs, the oldest grave marker from 1717, the final resting place of the famed captains of the 1813 battle between the Boxer and the Enterprise, and the interesting carvings of Portland's first stone-cutter, Bartlett Adams. Tours include early gravestone art, important local historic figures, Portland's historic events, and the landscape of this National Historic Landmark, including segregated sections for Black people, Catholics, Quakers, and strangers. We look forward to escorting you through this incredible outdoor museum. |
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Maine Memory Network image, Soldiers' Burying Ground, Eastern Promenade, Portland, ca. 1900, R. Cutler Libby glass plate negative |
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Saturday, October 13 1:00pm
Eastern Promenade in Portland, Maine |
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On December 23, 1814, under truce, the HMS Regulus dropped 24 sick U.S. prisoner of war soldiers to be cared for at the Town Hospital. They were to be carried to Boston for an exchange. Not long after, 21 died, and were buried in a mass grave on what is now known as the 1812 Cemetery on the Eastern Promenade. As a result of to the research of local historians, the 5 of the 8 unknown soldiers have been identified and will be given government-issued grave markers. Their dedication ceremony, with military honors, is Saturday. For more details on the work and results of their research, read: |
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Frances Ingraham’s grave marker in Eastern Cemetery, by B. Hager |
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Frances E. Ingraham, Julia Ann Milliken, Caroline and Elizabeth Ilsley, and Adeline Knight ThurstonDied: September 1, 1840 |
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According to the news at the time, a “melancholy accident” caused the drowning deaths of 5 young ladies on September 1, 1840, in Portland Harbor. They were part of a group who had sailed out to visit the US squadron on the Banner. Upon return, their boat was capsized by a sudden and violent windstorm. |
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The ladies were inside the boat at the time. The other 4 people onboard were saved by the crew of the Water Lily. An interesting note in the article was that the crew of the passing Laurel declined to help. |
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It would be interesting to know who the other 4 passengers on the Banner were and what the young ladies were doing before the boat was overturned. Hopefully they were playing a game, maybe chatting furiously about their good day. |
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The marker in the photo above is a marble rectangular stone in Eastern Cemetery for Frances Ingraham, and “Frances E.” is embossed. The letters are decorated with dots. It’s inscribed: |
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In memory of Frances E. daughter of Thomas & Mary Ingraham who was drowned in Casco Bay. Sept. 1, 1840. AEt. 16. Praise and reflect, for one reposes here. Who the flush of health.
Thought death was not near. But God had seen with his omniscient eye
and knew that it was best that she should die. |
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The marble marker for Adeline Knight Thurston (age 16) is almost identical to that of Frances. We believe it was moved from Eastern Cemetery to its current spot at Evergreen Cemetery. (Read more about removals from Eastern Cemetery.) |
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Julia Ann Milliken (age unknown) is listed as a child on her family’s marble tomb monument, but her age, death dates, and reason for death are not. Her mother and Adeline’s mother had the same maiden name: Pettengill. |
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Sisters Caroline (age 15) and Elizabeth (age 13) Isley are inscribed with their death dates on their family’s marble tomb ledger. An interesting note is that their parents had a girl in 1841 and named her Caroline Elizabeth. |
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Guess what cemetery fan group has its own shirts, caps, playing cards, and tote bags? Spirits Alive does, that’s who! Visit us on Zazzle to view all of our products. Please know that proceeds go directly back to Spirits Alive to help us fund our work to keep the Eastern Cemetery cared for and to teach others about its wonders. |
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You can help Spirits Alive keep the Eastern Cemetery alive for generations to come. Through your support, you can help us, an ALL-VOLUNTEER organization, to continue to:
Keep the gates open – encouraging the community to explore its open and safe green space Offer education about the cemetery and its residents to the public – through tours, lectures, and events Encourage and support the city in keeping the site clean and safe for visitors of all ages Preserve this incredible outdoor museum and sacred historic landscape
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Spirits Alive is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of Portland, Maine’s historic Eastern Cemetery through a range of activities including promotion and education. |
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