Greater Portland Landmarks

09/04/2026

🎶 From FIRE! to Resurgam — one Portland story, reimagined 🎶

We sat down with composer Travis M. Ramsey, Composer to talk about FIRE!, his work created for ChoralArt — and now a 2026 Preservation Award winner. (Celebrate with us at our Preservation Awards Bash on October 27!)

This September, FIRE! rises again: the The Portland Symphony Orchestra has commissioned a full orchestral expansion of the piece for its season-opening concert, "Resurgam," featuring over 150 voices — including ChoralArt Masterworks, the PSO Children's Chorus, Scarborough High School Chamber Singers, and Greely High School Honor Choirs.

📅 Sunday, Sept 27 & Tuesday, Sept 29 — Merrill Auditorium
🎟️ Tickets available now, https://portlandsymphony.org/events/

Head to the Greater Portland Landmarks blog to hear from Travis himself — how FIRE! began, what it means to hear it grow into Resurgam, and why this story of destruction and rebuilding still resonates in Portland today. 🔗 https://www.portlandlandmarks.org/gplblog/didyouknow/sept-3-2026

09/01/2026

Celebrating the Best of Portland 🎉

Elevating projects that capture some of the best of Portland — that's our Preservation Awards "why." Every year, Greater Portland Landmarks brings our community together to celebrate these achievements as one.

These tangible outcomes show what historic preservation truly means to a community. They inspire us all and serve as catalysts for thoughtful preservation work year after year.

Join us on October 27 at Mariner's Church to feel the excitement and momentum of our movement, as we celebrate the 7 projects that captured our vision for what preservation should be! ✨

Tickets go on sale September 15 — watch here and join our newsletter so you don't miss it!

08/31/2026

On this day in 1961, Portland's Union Station fell — its clock tower crashing down in seconds and ending decades as a city landmark. The loss sparked a passion for preservation that still drives Greater Portland Landmarks' staff, board, and supporters today.

Built in 1888, designed by Bradlee, Winslow & Wetherell in French Chateaux style, the granite station symbolized the prosperity the Maine Central Railroad brought to Portland — MCRR once held more track mileage than any other New England line.

But the automobile age emptied the rails. The final passenger train pulled in with just 34 riders on Sept. 6, 1960. By June 1961, the site was sold to a Boston developer with plans for a shopping center, and demolition was guaranteed. Demolition started just weeks later; and when the tower came down — it was watched by hundreds of mourning Portlanders.

This anniversary is a yearly reminder of why Greater Portland Landmarks continues its mission to use Portland's heritage — its buildings, places, culture, and stories — as a catalyst for connection, affordability, and resilience.

Photo credit: Maine Memory Network #10754 and #10756

08/24/2026

SAVE THE DATE 📅 October 27

Greater Portland Landmarks' Preservation Awards Bash — our biggest fundraising event of the year — is coming!

This year we're celebrating 7 award winners whose work shows just how many forms historic preservation can take: a song capturing a community-altering fire, traditional construction, new housing creation, and visual art that captures what makes Portland special — and more.

🎟️ Tickets go on sale September 15
📩 Join our mailing list now (link in bio) to be first in line

07/23/2026

📢 Historic preservation is under threat right now — you need to know what's happening and GPL is here to help!

The federal government announced modifications to Section 106, the process that requires federal agencies to review potential consequences their undertakings have on historic places. This is a big deal for Portland, for Maine, and for the places you love (parks, buildings, views, and archeological sites to name a few).

That's exactly why we publish **The Observer** — GPL's biweekly newsletter, landing in inboxes every other Friday at 8 AM, including tomorrow!

Every issue includes **The Column** — your inside look at:
🏛️ Local preservation projects we're tracking and weighing in on
🗺️ State-level policy and legislation affecting historic places
🇺🇸 Federal action — including breaking developments like the Section 106 proposed changes

Preservation policy changes (foreshadowing community consequences) are difficult to spot when attempting to sift through daily life's information overload. We make it easy!

Find credible, succinct information quickly in **The Observer** newsletter, 👉 Sign up now — link in bio.

07/20/2026

One of Portland's historic treasures is beginning a new chapter.

We recently took a closer look at the history of the Samuel Spring House, an important contributing property in Portland's West End Historic District.

📖 Read the article: https://www.portlandlandmarks.org/gplblog/didyouknow/july-20-2026

07/20/2026

We're please to announce that our FIRE! The Night Portland Burned illustrated talk by Herb Adams was recorded thanks to Portland Public Library! View it now on YouTube:

Greater Portland Landmarks in collaboration with Portland Public Li...

07/18/2026

Congratulations to Gabriel Despradel, our Greater Portland Landmarks Fall ’25 intern, and rising second year Architecture student at the University of Maine at Augusta, on being selected as UMA’s 2026–27 Maine Policy Scholar.

The Maine Policy Scholars Program, administered through the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, supports undergraduates as they conduct rigorous, year long research on issues central to Maine’s future. Scholars work directly with policymakers, faculty mentors, and community partners to develop practical, evidence based recommendations.

Gabriel’s will be exploring the practice of Deconstruction and Salvage, and his thesis will focus on how Maine can implement deconstruction incentives that support the construction of more affordable homes statewide, expand the secondhand building materials market, and help create skilled job opportunities for young Mainers interested in the construction trade.

His work builds on prior research with Greater Portland Landmarks and reflects a deep commitment to Maine’s housing, climate, and workforce needs.

We’re thrilled to see Gabriel take on this important challenge.

07/14/2026

A profound thank you to Kennebec Savings Bank!

On June 23, Greater Portland Landmarks opened the doors on a spectacular evening at the Masonic Temple in Portland. This evening, which brought Maine history to life through 3D-viewing technology, could not have been possible without their pillar level support.

Their belief and investment in our organization helps further the historic preservation policies that positively impact all of us. On top of supporting Greater Portland Landmarks, through their Community Dividend program, which diverts monies that would typically go to stockholders back into the communities they serve, they have supported over 250 other organizations across Maine. Thank you Kennebec Savings Bank for serving Maine for over 155 years and helping us all “work to build a better future.”

07/12/2026

What a week it's been! On Wednesday, nearly 200 historic preservation lovers packed the Rines Auditorium at Portland Public Library for "Fire! The Night Portland Burned" — and it did not disappoint. Presenter Herb Adams brought the Great Fire of 1866 to life with vivid storytelling and striking historic images, giving the packed house a real sense of the devastation — and the incredible rebirth — that followed.

Then on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, our "Great Fire of 1866 Walking Tour" explored the actual places that the lecture so vividly brought to life. Attendees learned new things about familiar places and learned how the fire shaped the city we live in today. Connecting people with Portland's rich history is at the heart of what we do, and this crowd proved there's a real appetite for it.

Special thanks to Herb Adams for generously sharing his knowledge, to our partners at Portland Public Library for hosting and showing off their newly upgraded AV system, to our volunteer walking tour leaders Rick, Alessa, Martha, and Tim, and to all of you who donated. Your support allows us to continue offering such programming.