Bangor Historical Society

Bangor Historical Society Home of the BHS, learn more about Bangor's rich --and sometimes surprising--past at the Thomas A. Hil
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Founded in 1864, we are committed to preserving, protecting and sharing the history of Bangor and its people. The BHS offers guided tours, lectures, and special events at our Union Street home and across the city.

Did you know?Roller skating competitions were very popular in Bangor. In fact, 1,000 spectators packed the Bangor Audito...
08/24/2026

Did you know?
Roller skating competitions were very popular in Bangor. In fact, 1,000 spectators packed the Bangor Auditorium in 1905 when the "craze" launched in Bangor. The sport had come and gone in the city since the 1880s. At one time or another rinks were found in Norombega Hall, Union Hall and Bangor City Hall. (Photo: two unknown roller skating champions from Bangor)

Did you know?This Harthorn Avenue Colonial Revival house, built in 1932, was first home to Harry J. and Marceline M. (Bo...
08/23/2026

Did you know?
This Harthorn Avenue Colonial Revival house, built in 1932, was first home to Harry J. and Marceline M. (Bouley) Dowd and family.
A native of Massachusetts, Harry was state manager for vacuum cleaner Air-Way Corporation. Sons Harry Jr. and Richard also worked for the firm while in Bangor.
In the early 1920s, the family lived in Fort Kent where Harry had a photography business. They then moved to Portland and Harry worked for Air-Way.
After a few years in Bangor, the family moved to Old Orchard Beach and then to Biddeford while Harry continued working in sales.
In 1961 at Old Orchard Beach, Harry died at age 83, and Marceline died in 1963 at age 77

Did you know?This home on Birch Street was built around 1875 and first owned by David Jordan, a "truck man". He lived th...
08/22/2026

Did you know?
This home on Birch Street was built around 1875 and first owned by David Jordan, a "truck man". He lived there with his second wife, Matilda and their combined family of 5 children.
David died in 1893 but one of his sons, David N. Jordan, would continue to live in the home with his own family. The younger Jordan was a retail grocer and horse dealer.

A BIG Thank You to everyone who joined us at Mount Hope Cemetery Corp. Bangor, Maine last night! We can't thank our spo...
08/20/2026

A BIG Thank You to everyone who joined us at Mount Hope Cemetery Corp. Bangor, Maine last night! We can't thank our sponsors enough for their support. Thank you Cross Insurance , Maine Trailer, Inc., United Technologies Center (UTC), , Hannaford Supermarkets, and Pepsi for helping make this a great event every year. Thank you, The Emporium Spooky Goods & More LLC, for bringing the spookiness. Thank you, FUSION:Bangor, the Maine Black Bears, and everyone else who volunteered to make this event successful. The biggest thank-you of all goes to Mount Hope Cemetery Corp. Bangor, Maine , for allowing us to continue hosting this amazing event in your beautiful cemetery.

We also want to thank the 50/50 winner for donating their winnings back to the BHS. Thank you for being so generous and supporting local history!

Tag your pictures of the event in the comments.

Don't forget to stop by the Thomas A. Hill House to see our Words That Made A Nation: Maine, the Declaration, and the War for Independence exhibit. We are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm.

08/19/2026

Our showing of IT tonight(8/19) in Mount Hope Cemetery will be going on as planned. It's time to bring your yellow raincoats and prepare for a chance of showers and clearing skies this evening.

The buses will depart UTC starting at 6pm and the last bus leaving at 730pm.

We all float here, right?

Did you know?In 1872 the total lumber crop of Bangor was 700,000,000 feet, 225,000,000 feet of which was floated down th...
08/19/2026

Did you know?
In 1872 the total lumber crop of Bangor was 700,000,000 feet, 225,000,000 feet of which was floated down the Penobscot.

08/19/2026

The Thomas A Hill House will be closing at 2pm on Wednesday, August 19th. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Did you know?Opened in 1911 at 135 Union Street, the New Wilson was a popular hotel, operated much like Bed and Breakfas...
08/17/2026

Did you know?
Opened in 1911 at 135 Union Street, the New Wilson was a popular hotel, operated much like Bed and Breakfast establishments today. The New Wilson was known for its comfortable, homelike atmosphere. The building no longer stands and the site is a parking lot.

Did you know?On this day in 1779, the Penobscot Expedition would end. The Expedition was the worst naval defeat that th...
08/16/2026

Did you know?
On this day in 1779, the Penobscot Expedition would end. The Expedition was the worst naval defeat that the US Navy would have until Pearl Harbor in 1941. Continental forces laid siege to Castine starting on July 24th. The British relief forces( in the image below) reached Castine on August 14th and put an end to the siege. Many of the Continental ships sailed up the Penobscot to try to escape the British, 2 ships were captured and 42 were scuttled.

The map details the Colonial and British emplacements throughout the engagement.

The Colonel in charge of the land artillery during the Penobscot Expedition was Paul Revere. He faced a court-martial back in Boston on charges of disobedience and cowardice, he was later cleared of the charges.
Painting by Dominic Serres.

Address

159 Union Street
Bangor, ME
04401

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(207) 942-1900

Website

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