General Manuscript Collection

This collection contains the records of groups, and material created or gathered by individuals. Records produced by groups are known as “Archives” and material produced by an individual are called “Papers.” These archives or papers are created by groups or individuals associated with USM or the material that supports the academic mission of the University.

Click the following headings to see available digitized items.

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Libby Bischof Gorham Campus Postcard Collection

48 color and black-and-white printed photograph postcards ca. 1800-1900s of USM Gorham campus, purchased by the donor from various sources in Maine and online from 2006-2019

Luther I. Bonney Papers

Luther I. Bonney was born in Turner, Maine in 1884. After graduating from Bates College in 1906, Bonney was involved in education for the rest of his life. He was a Professor of Mathematics at Middlebury College, Vermont from 1907-1927, and Dean of Portland Junior College, one of USM’s progenitor schools, from 1933 until 1958. The Papers consist of histories he wrote, poetry, WWII letters from former students, honorary degrees, and a taped 1974 interview of Bonney.

Lillian E. Brooks Nursing Diary

A diary written by a nurse from Mexico, Maine.

Gorham Academy Archives

The Gorham Academy Archives contain materials documenting the history of Gorham Academy, one of the University of Southern Maine’s predecessor institutions. 1803-1937.

Portland Junior College

This collection contains material pertaining to the Portland Junior college dating from 1933-1958. Included are administrative and financial records, various pieces of memorabilia (diplomas, newspapers, physical objects, etc.), minutes, interviews, photographs, programs and brochures, and publications. Items of particular note per series include two large bound books containing the financial and account records of the PJC in series 1, a collection of PJC-related pennants and banners in series 2, physical books of minutes from series 3, two tapes recordings of interviews in series 4, original photographs in series 5, various letters and a dance card with a miniature pencil in series 6, and a large quantity of catalogs and brochures in series 7, plus four published works.

Adelaide Street Hall Sheet Music

The collection contains 7 pieces of sheet music with illustrations and lyrics reflecting racist stereotypes of African Americans. ca. 1895-1899, undated.

Harriet Sweetser Letters

This collection contains letters written by Harriet Sweetser, dated from 1898 to 1916, as well as some photographs. Most of the letters were written during her time as a student at Gorham Normal School, a teacher training college located on what is currently the Gorham campus of the University of Southern Maine. Almost all of the letters are addressed to her mother, with a few to her father. Sweetser writes home to tell her parents about her day-to-day life at school. She later taught at a grammar school in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine and became a superintendent. Harriet Sweetser was born on July 27, 1881 and died on March 27, 1925 of complications from an appendectomy. These letters were found and donated to the University by her niece, Elizabeth Sweetser Baxter.

Howard Solomon WWI Posters

Howard Solomon World War I Posters at the University of Southern Maine.

T.A. Huston & Co.

The T.A. Huston & Co. baking facility was once located in the building where the Albert Brenner Glickman Family Library currently resides on the Portland campus. Click to view a digitzed sales catalog from 1913 - in full color!