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"Longfellow: The Man Who Invented America" (exhibition)



The Center For Maine History at

Maine Historical Society presents:

"Longfellow: The Man Who Invented America"

"Longfellow: The Man Who Invented America" opens at The Center For Maine History Museum at Maine Historical Society on Friday, April 12th and runs through the end of the year. The exhibit includes fresh images of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, memorabilia, and objects to explain how the 19th century poet still connects Americans to their history and influences American life. The myths Longfellow created with Hiawatha, Evangeline, The Courtship of Miles Standish, and Paul Revere’s Ride set cultural trends that even now adhere in American life. An examination of these myths will explain his historic importance to our national heritage, and how he invented still popular ideas of American experience and life.

The museum exhibit complements the restoration of the historic Wadsworth-Longfellow house, the childhood home of the poet, and adjacent to the exhibition. Built in 1786-86 by the poet’s grandfather, the house now serves as a memorial to his famous grandson.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in 1807 in Portland, Maine, where he is honored as its native son and America’s best-loved poet. Longfellow was essentially the American poet laureate of his age, the most widely read and respected poet of his generation. His readers spanned social levels and classes, from schoolchildren to Queen Victoria.

Where: Center For Maine History Museum at

Maine Historical Society

489 Congress Street

Portland, ME 04101

TEL: 207-774-1822

When: Museum Exhibition: Friday, April 12th through

Tuesday, December 31st, 2002

Mon. – Sat.: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sundays: Noon – 5:00 p.m.

Wadsworth-Longfellow House:

Saturday, June 1st through

Thursday, October 31st, 2002

Mon. – Sat.: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Sundays: Noon – 5:00 p.m.

Please call for Special Holiday Hours in December

Admission: Museum only: House and museum:

Adults $4.00 Adults $7.00

Children 5-17 $2.00 Children 5-17 $3.00