DANE - Maine

Danish Communities
DANE - Danish Archives North East

Maine:

Danes were in the Portland area as early as 1850
Christian Christensen (born circa 1825; in Portland by 1860) - was a foreman at the wharf of the English Steamers
John Low (born circa 1824; in Portland by 1860) - clothier
Peter Williams (born circa 1820; in Portland by 1860) - watchman
Captain William Thomsen (born December 1827; in Portland by 1860) - sea captain
Martin C. Mortensen (born September 1837) - owner of a fish curing factory in Portland

Portland, St. Ansgar, 515 Woodford Street, Portland, Maine 04103; organized 1874; First church built at 10 Mayo Street in 1898; In 1907, the membership was 250 people with 100 dues paying members; Merged with Immanuel (Swedish) Lutheran church on November 8, 1954 and the merged church is called St. Ansgar Evangelical Lutheran Church; Used Immanuel church until a new church building was built in 1961; Ground breaking of new church was June 18, 1961 and the cornerstone was laid September 3, 1961; (original church picture - 10 Mayo Street) (2008 pictures of original church - 10 Mayo Street) (2008 church pictures - 515 Woodford Street) (list of ministers)

Portland (Falmouth), Emmaus, 265 Middle Road, Falmouth, Maine 04105; (church website); organized October 26, 1893 (with 14 members); Church built in 1895 and dedicated Christmas Day 1895; In 1907, the membership consisted of about 40 families; At the time of the 100th anniversary in 1993, the records contained 715 baptisms, 284 marriages, and 255 funerals; (old pictures); (2008 pictures); (list of ministers)
Westbrook, Trinity, 612 Main Street, Westbrook, Maine 04092, (church website); (church history); organized November 2, 1882; incorporated January 20, 1892; chuch building dedicated January 1, 1893; church started with 18 members; In 1907, the membership consisted of about 40 families; (1907 picture); (2008 pictures); (list of ministers)

Portland, Maine - Lodge #112 - Charter date: April 30, 1898 (dissolved); 80 members in 1907
Rumsford Falls, Maine - Lodge #199 - Charter date: September 16, 1904 (dissolved)
Falmouth, Maine - Lodge #250 - Evening Red - Charter date: January 18, 1907 (dissolved); Started December 31, 1906 with 21 members; By November 1907, had built a Lodge Hall in Falmouth - the Hall consists of "a nice large dancing hall and stage, with chambers on the first floor and dining hall up stairs"; (picture)

Founded December 17, 1906 - had the "intention of solving the problem of erecting a Danish Memorial Building". Started with 8 members and had over 100 members by the end of 1907.
On November 14, 1907, they had an "Our Danish Eve" concert and dance in the City Hall in Portland, Maine. (committee).
Officers (1907)

American Cadet Orchestra - Portland, Maine (active in 1907) - "Music furnished for all occasions. Balls, Banquets, and Parties. Dancing a specialty." Leader and agent - E. E. Hybert (Emil Earl Hybert), 20 Sheridan Street in 1907. (picture in 1907)
Den Danske Landsby - The Little Danish Village, Portland Maine - The Danish Village located in Scarboro, outside Portland Maine was built by a hotel company in 1930. Said to be modeled after the medieval town of Ribe, Denmark it was designed as an early version of what we know today as a motel or tourist camp. During its heyday it was the scene of many Danish celebrations and holiday traditions. A movie was filmed there in the 1930s which depicted Santa Claus and his village. In 1947 there was a huge fire that destroyed one of the main buildings. In September 1968 another fire devastated more of the buildings. By 1970 the Village was not recognizable and there was little or nothing left of the once attractive tourist site. (picture1)(picture2)

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