In 1894, a band of "displaced" Mainers got together and organized the “Maine State Association.” The purpose of the group was to maintain a home away from home, provide a little touch of Maine for Mainers in the national capital area, keep alive a sense of roots, and boost the image of the State of Maine. More than 100 years later, that purpose thrives via The Maine State Society of Washington, D.
C., which exists "to foster and promote interest in Maine, develop and maintain a sense of loyalty and devotion to Maine, and provide for and strengthen the social contacts of its members." A nonpolitical, non-governmental and not-for-profit, the Society is a 100% volunteer organization. It doesn’t matter what your politics may be or what your role is in the Washington area, you’re eligible to join the Society if you have Maine connections. Societies exist for other states and US territories, but Maine’s is one of the largest (over 1,100 members in 26 states and five foreign countries) and among the most active with eight events yearly. A sample of what Society membership brings you:
-Keep up with all the Down East news via The Maine Event, the Society newsletter
-A Harvest Suppah featuring a traditional Down East menu (baked yellow eye beans, brown bread, red hot dogs and dinner rolls) provided by supportive Maine businesses.
-Rub elbows with Maine political figures at the annual Congressional Breakfast on Capitol Hill when each Congress convenes.
-Meet Maine’s Cherry Blossom Princess at the events of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival. The Society has sponsored Maine’s princess each year since the festival began in 1948 and four Maine Princesses have become the Festival Queen's.
-Attend the Society’s annual lobster dinner—a Maine tradition in Washington since 1945—featuring the state’s world-renowned seafood, plus door prizes donated by Maine businesses.
-Learn about quality Maine products and services at events or via special mailings to members.
-Join with members as they care for two Maine Civil War monuments at Gettysburg, and help place thousands of Maine balsam fir wreaths on graves at Arlington National Cemetery.
-Make new friends or rediscover old ones at Society events, and learn about worthy Maine civic or charitable organizations and causes.
