"The results of our agitation will be the expulsion from all the states of the traffic in intoxicating liquors to be used as a drink, we hope that the State of Maine will have the honor of leading this glorious reform."
Neal Dow, Spring 1846
The Youth's Temperance Visitor
Rockland, January 1861
Collections of Maine Historical Society
Newspapers 3-48
One of numerous publications aimed at preventing a younger generation from taking up the habit.
Temperance Levee
Bath, February 1849
Courtesy of the Charles E. Burden Collection
Some temperance groups presented entertainment as a way of introducing their ideas to new followers.
Bowdoinham Sons of Temperance Regalia (sash), ca. 1850
Silk satin
Collections of Maine Historical Society
2002.062.010
Men and women in Temperance societies wore ceremonial regalia at their meetings to help signify their allegiance to the cause. Women, like the the young women pictured in "Daughters of Temperance", wore sashes or collars over their simple silk "everyday" dresses.
Daughters of Temperance, ca. 1850
Kellogg & Comstock, NY
Handcolored lithograph
Courtesy of the Charles E. Burden Collection
In the early days of the temperance movements, female adherants were depicted as brave young heroines fighting for home and family. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was founded in Cleveland in December of 1874.
Sons of Temperance certificate for John Gunnelsen, Hallowell, 1848
Maine Historical Society
Certificate of Sons of Temperance
Hallowell, 1848
Collections of Maine Historical Society
Throughout Maine the temperance movement sparked individual interest and a variety of local societies. Some were independent, while others linked to national and state movements or organizations.
Youth's Temperance Ribbon
Silk
Late 19th century
Collections of Maine Historical Society
Banner of the Andover Cataract Division No. 9 Sons of Temperance
Attributed to George Jefferds Wardwell (1826-after 1894), ca. 1840-1850
Painted cotton
Collections of the Rumford Historical Society
This extraordinary painted banner demonstrates the cultural vibrancy of Oxford County in the decades before the Civil War. Painted by one of the members of Rumford Corner's talented family of artists, it reflects an organization made up of men. Women were asked to support the early temperance organizations rather than lead them. This banner was paid for and presented by The Ladies of Andover.
Riggers and Sail Makers banner, Portland, 1841
Maine Historical Society
Parade Banner for the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association, Pump and Block Makers, Mast and Spar Makers, Rope Makers, Riggers and Sail Makers, 1841
William Capen, Jr. (ca. 1801-1863)
Oil on cloth
Collections of Maine Historical Society, from the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association
This parade banner was painted for the boat building professions of the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association. The temperance flag on the ship illustrates a major goal of the Association, which had been founded in 1815. Craftsmen and small manufacturers were increasingly opposed to regular allowances of grog at 11am and 4 pm.
Temperance Watchman Club No. 1 banner, ca. 1848
Maine Historical Society
Banner of the Temperance Watchman, ca. 1848
No. 1, Durham, Maine
Painted silk
Collections of Maine Historical Society; gift of Orie Louise Knight, 1916
149*
The Washingtonian Anti-Drinking movement of the 1840s, which originated in Baltimore, was among the first to hire former drinkers as their spokesmen. In Maine, Neal Dow was an early supporter but disagreed over their tactics of education and persuasion. Durham's Temperance Watchman club was founded in 1848, one of the first groups organized in Maine.
Sixty-Nine Broadside, ca. 1815
Collections of Maine Historical Society
Coll. 1863, Box 3
This broadside mocks the pioneering Maine Total Abstinence Organization. The group was founded just after the War of 1812 by 69 men led by Reverends Nichols and Payson of Portland's First and Second Congregational churches.