Maine State Museum
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Unfortunately, the major renovation project at the Maine State Museum will likely mean that the museum will not reopen until 2026.**
As the dates for the museum’s reopening become more definite, more information will be available on the museum’s website. The Maine State Museum is the state’s foremost general museum, collecting and exhibiting the finest of Maine’s natural and cultural heritage. Th
07/09/2026
🫎🌲 Today, we’re flying Maine’s first militia flag! 🌲🫎
Maine’s first militia flag was likely designed by Boston painter John Penniman (1782-1841). The artist included core Maine symbols: the white pine, a moose, and the state motto “DIRIGO,” Latin for “I lead.”
Penniman etched a copper plate with the central motif that was reproduced on all the militia flags. The red band of text at the bottom was changed to reflect which militia unit carried the flag.
This piece of an 1822 flag, called a canton, was used by the Second Regiment of Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division out of Parsonsfield, Maine. The canton would have been stitched to the center or upper left corner of a solid-colored cloth to form the flag.
📷 Image ID: Militia Banner, John Ritto Penniman, Boston, MA, 1822-1827. MSM 2009.23.1. Photo by Mike Taylor.
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230 State St
Augusta, ME
04330
