We all know that Maine has history. Our history tells an important story about who we are today. Beginning with the indigenous people who lived here first and eventually the settlers that came, Vacationland has some fascinating stories to tell. But one piece of history that’s particularly important is that of Maine’s role in the Underground Railroad, which is often overlooked. With vital access to both water and rail, the state became a northern hub for the Underground Railroad. To help, activists in Portland provided safe havens along the way so that slaves could find their way to England and Canada.
Perhaps the most important piece of history related to Portland’s role in the Underground Railroad is the Abyssinian Meeting House.
azadam / Flickr
Built in 1828, it was intended to be a cornerstone of the African American community in Portland.
Brian Bartlett / Google
It offered a place to pray and a place to meet to discuss social and political issues of the time. In addition to being a church, it was also the segregated public school. Over the decades, it’s also been a concert hall, dinner hall, and general entertainment space for those living nearby.
Abyssinian Meeting House / Facebook While the meeting house was mainly used by former enslaved people, the church membership also consisted of those who worked to free them as part of the Underground Railroad leadership.
These are the folks who knew the importance of using their voice to speak out against slavery.
Notable abolitionist, Frederick Douglass, was even said to have spoken here.
By George Kendall Warren - This media is available in the holdings of the National Archives and Records Administration, cataloged under the National Archives Identifier (NAID) 558770., Public Domain
Despite being hidden away in Maine, the Abyssinian Meeting House is the third oldest standing African American meeting house in America.
Abyssinian Meeting House / Facebook And, in 2013, it was added to the National Trust’s Top Endangered List.
The building is undergoing major renovations right now, led by a group of community members.
Abyssinian Meeting House / Facebook A significant sum of money is needed to complete the full renovation, which is meant to restore it to what it once was. Making sure this piece of Maine history continues to stand ensures that the public will be able to visit on a regular basis for all to learn of the meeting house’s significance to the African American community in Maine.
You can learn more about the Abyssinian Meeting House on their website. To get involved be sure to attend to an event to support them. Or, take a journey on the Portland Freedom Trail which will then lead to the Abyssinian Meeting House for a visit. And stay in-the-know by signing up for their mailing list.
azadam / Flickr
Brian Bartlett / Google
Abyssinian Meeting House / Facebook
While the meeting house was mainly used by former enslaved people, the church membership also consisted of those who worked to free them as part of the Underground Railroad leadership.
These are the folks who knew the importance of using their voice to speak out against slavery.
By George Kendall Warren - This media is available in the holdings of the National Archives and Records Administration, cataloged under the National Archives Identifier (NAID) 558770., Public Domain
And, in 2013, it was added to the National Trust’s Top Endangered List.
A significant sum of money is needed to complete the full renovation, which is meant to restore it to what it once was. Making sure this piece of Maine history continues to stand ensures that the public will be able to visit on a regular basis for all to learn of the meeting house’s significance to the African American community in Maine.
There’s quite a bit of history here! Visit these 10 historic towns in Maine that will transport you to the past.
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Address: 75 Newbury St, Portland, ME 04101, USA
