Special Collections
University of Maine at Orono
- Fogler Library Special Collections
The Special Collections Department was established in 1970 as a repository for Maine related material. Virtually all available printed bibliographical, historical, and descriptive works on the state as well as literary titles by Maine authors are housed in this department. Books, pamphlets, state documents, and other forms of printed material provide extensive coverage of Maine's cities, towns, counties, and her people and institutions. These printed resources are complemented by a substantial body of original source materials. While the collections are largely Maine-related, some material pertaining to broader subject areas, such as maritime history, are also found in the department.
- William S. Cohen Archives
The William S. Cohen Papers consist of 2,500 linear feet of records created during the course of Cohen's duties as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 1979, a U.S. Senator from 1979 to 1997, and Secretary of Defense from 1997 to 2001. The congressional papers donated in 1996, document legislative and committee-related work, consituent services, and public relations, as well as the administrative activities in his office in Washington D.C and six state offices in Maine. The Department of Defense files, donated in 2001, cover Cohen's leadership, planning, liaison, and travel responsibilities in the Cabinet and the Pentagon. Researchers may search the inventory of the collection at www.library.umaine.edu/cohen/ or learn more by calling the archivist at (207) 581-2665.
- Hudson Museum
The Hudson museum is the gateway for te University of Maine's faculty, students, and staff and the people of Maine to explore and understand the diversity of human experience. Join us for the adventure!
- Northeast Archives of Folklore and Oral History
The Northeast Archives, on part of the Maine Folklife Center, shares the mission of the larger organization to document, intrpret and present folklore, folklife and oral history of Maine the Maritime Province of Canada. Acting in concert with the University of Maine charter of teaching, research and public service, the Archives functions chiefly as a repository and research facility but also offers reference services on folklife related topics. Its collection of tape recordings, transcripts, manuscripts, photographs and artifacts represents one of the strongest assemblages in the United States of regional folklife.
University of Maine at Fort Kent
University of Southern Maine
- Special Collections Department
Special Collections is composed of three units:- Rare Books and Manuscripts, which contains rare materials and personal papers of individuals related to the University.
- University Archives, which contains the records of the University of Southern Maine as well as it precursors, Gorham Normal School through the University of Maine in Gorham (1878-1970), Portland Univesity (1921-1961), Portland Junior College (1933-1957), and the University of Maine in Portland (1957-1970)
- Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine which consists of the African American Collection of Maine, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Collection, and the Judaica Collection.
- Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education
The Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education is the only separately established rare map library in northern New England. The Smith and Osher collections comprise find examples of original maps, atlases, geographies, and globes spanning the years from 1475 to present. They constitute a rich and multifaceted resource for the study and teaching of geography, history, art, and cultrual development. These materials office such compelling insights into the past that anyone, regardless of age or educational level, can enjoy and learn from them. For the University, the people of Maine, scholars, students, and visitors, the collections are indeed a treasure.
Lewiston-Auburn College
- Franco-American Heritage Collection
The Franco-American Collection contains material on politics, religion, language, education, industry and business, theater and music, genealogy, Lewiston-Auburn history, and civic leaders. There is also material on sociological aspects of Franco-American culture relating on a state-wide and regional level covering ethnicity, community demographics, work and labor issues, and French newspapers.
Maine State Library
- Special Collections at the State Library
One of the primary mandates of the Maine State Library is to serve as a premier research facility for the history and publications of Maine. The MSL Special Collections add considerable depth to the history of conservation, natural resources, the state and its political subdivisions, authors and publishing, and the people, places and industries in Maine.