The Make History Portland Program
To coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, Whose Land is working with the Maine Historical Society, the University of Southern Maine’s Osher Map Library and Department of Geography-Anthropology, Mechanics Hall, and other cultural and educational organizations in the city to build a crowd-sourced history of Greater Portland and its land. Anyone can participate and enjoy adding to the collection.
How It Works:
Participants collect and present their own stories about specific locations - their homes, a former factory site, a park - using a digital story map platform called Map250. In July, the archive comes to life outside in a series of “Make History Portland” events including projections, music, and live discussion about places that matter in Greater Portland - all in conjunction with local 250th celebrations.
Making It Happen with Help from Everyone
Massive cuts to nonprofit funding (including ours) have created one of the toughest environments to find resources for broad public projects like Make History Portland in years.
So while we were are hard at work to get sponsors and in-kind donations, we won’t be able to pull this off without the involvement and financial support of all people across Portland. People like you.
Please consider a contribution - large or small - to our program and become part of our growing community of collaborators across the city.
