EVENT: Portland's Chinese past

One of the elements of Portland's history that I was surprised to find out about 5 years ago or so is the amount of Chinese-American culture that made its way into the city early in the 20th century. This is a great opportunity to lay your feet on the pavements of the city and see where all this happened, nestled in among the shops of today.

In addition, for a glimpse at some of the people and places involved, please see the Maine Memory Networks's online exhibit, Chinese in Maine.

Maine Historical Society invites you...

Saturday, October 18,
10:30am - 12:30pm
Portland Chinese-American Walking Trail

Join us to explore the history of Chinese-Americans in downtown Portland.

While Portland has never had a "Chinatown," the area around Congress Street used to be home to a small but thriving Chinese community and many Chinese-owned businesses including "deluxe" restaurants, laundries, groceries, and gambling dens. Historian and former MHS Trustee Gary Libby-who has been a leader in recent efforts to re-discover and document Maine's rich Chinese heritage-will give a brief talk at MHS and lead a half-mile walking tour that points out and describes these key sites. The program will end with lunch at the Oriental Table restaurant on Exchange Street.

Registration required; please call 207-774-1822.
Fee: $15.00; Members $10.00.
Lunch not included in program fee.

Event Information

When: Saturday, October 18, 2008, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Where: Maine Historical Society,
489 Congress Street, Portland
For more information call 207-774-1822 or email info@mainehistory.org