Establishing/Dedicating the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Statue - 1882-1888 - Portland, Maine - Newspaper Clippings

The Longfellow Statue on the right was officially unveiled during a public ceremony

on Saturday, September 29, 1888. The location was initially known as State Street

Square. It became Longfellow Square. A large copper box full of Statue-related 

paper materials, was hermetically sealed and placed under the Statue Pedestal

on August 27, 1888. A Portland Railroad Horse car is seen on the left on

Congress Street, heading to Union Station on St. Johns Street -  c 1889

O. R. Cummings Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum 2009_2_032_038

Updated - 4-21-2026

    This post was inspired while I was looking through newspaper archives online from 1860 through the early 1900s for information related to the Portland and Forest Avenue Horse Railroad line serving Portland, Maine, for a Seashore Trolley Museum-based presentation I would be doing for the Greater Portland Landmarks to be hosted by the Portland Public Library. I happened to see clippings here and there from 1882 through 1889 about the Longfellow Statue. 

    The Seashore Trolley Museum (STM) has a couple of historic buildings on campus that have a family connection to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Henry's nephew, Alexander Wadsworth Longfellow, was the architect who designed the two 1901 Boston Elevated Railway buildings at STM, Tower C and the Northampton Station.

Click Here: 1901 Tower C to Seashore Trolley Museum in 1975

Click Here: The Saga of Northampton Station coming to Maine 1990

    I had released some posts in the past that had mentioned Longfellow Square. The first one was about the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway, having its Eastern U.S. starting point, of its 4,060 miles to Portland, OR, at Longfellow Square in Portland, Maine. The second post that mentions Longfellow Square is about Theodore Roosevelt passing by the Longfellow Statue, first when President on August 26, 1902, and then four additional times when visiting Portland for political reasons in 1912, 1914, 1916, and 1918. Other Portland Railroad posts mention Longfellow Square when trolleys were passing by the Statue until buses took over completely in May 1941.

Click Here: Longfellow Square is where the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway begins

Click Here: Theodore Roosevelt - Maine Heritage Trail - Portland, ME 1902, 1912, 1914, 1916, 1918

Click Here: Portland Railroad - A History of Public Transportation 1860-1941

Click Here: Greater Portland Landmarks presentation on Forest Avenue 1860-1895

     I read several archives about the early years of the Longfellow Statue project. I thought people might find the newspaper articles/clippings interesting. I have included many, many articles and clippings (more than 150) in this post. It starts right after Henry Wadsworth Longfellow died. Most photos of the Statue will be in the post after the Statue was unveiled to the public late in 1888. Maine Historical Society was involved from the beginning. I've included some of their Maine Memory Network images of the Statue in this post.

You can "click" any of the articles or photos to zoom in on them...fyi.

1882

Portland Daily Press - March 25, 1882

Portland Daily Press - May 8, 1882

Portland Daily Press - May 13, 1882

Portland Daily Press - May 22, 1882

Portland Press Herald - June 22,1882

Portland Daily Press - May 26, 1882

Portland Daily Press - May 27, 1882

Portland Press Herald - May 27, 1882

Portland Press Herald - June 10, 1882

Portland Daily Press - June 12, 1882

Portland Press Herald - June 12, 1882

Portland Press Herald - June 19, 1882

Portland Daily Press - June 19, 1882

Portland Daily Press - July 1, 1882

Portland Daily Press - July 3, 1882

Portland Press Herald - July 3, 1882

Portland Daily Press - June 10, 1882

Portland Press Herald - July 10, 1882

Portland Press Herald - July 17, 1882

Portland Daily Press - July 22, 1882

Portland Daily Press - July 24, 1882

Portland Press Herald - July 24, 1882

Portland Daily Press - October 9, 1882

Portland Press Herald - October 9, 1882

Portland Daily Press - October 16, 1882

Portland Press Herald - October 17, 1882

Portland Daily Press - October 17, 1882

Portland Daily Press - October 19, 1882

Portland Daily Press - October 23, 1882

Portland Press Herald - October 24, 1882

Portland Daily Press - October 26, 1882

Portland Daily Press - October 28, 1882

Portland Daily Press - October 31, 1882

Portland Press Herald - November 6, 1882

Portland Press Herald - November 22, 1882

Portland Daily Press - November 24, 1882

Portland Daily Press - November 25, 1882

Portland Daily Press- November 28, 1882

Portland Press Herald - December 7, 1882

Portland Daily Press - December 9, 1882

Portland Daily Press - December 11, 1882

1883

Portland Daily Press - January 2, 1883

Portland Daily Press - January 3, 1883

Portland Daily Press - January 8, 1883

Portland Press Herald - January 10, 1883

Portland Press Herald - January 11, 1883

Portland Daily Press - January 13, 1883

Portland Daily Press - January 11, 1883

Portland Daily Press - January 29, 1883

Portland Daily Press - January 31, 1883

Portland Press Herald - February 1, 1883

Portland Daily Press - February 7, 1883

Portland Daily Press - February 13, 1883

Portland Press Herald - February 14, 1883

Portland Daily Press - February 19, 1883

Portland Daily Press - February 20, 1883

Portland Daily Press - February 21, 1883

Portland Daily Press - February 22, 1883

Portland Press Herald - February 22, 1883

Portland Daily Press - February 26, 1883

Portland Daily Press - March 1, 1883

Portland Daily Press - March 5, 1883

Portland Press Herald - March 5, 1883

Portland Daily Press - March 6, 1883

Portland Press Herald - March 6, 1883

Portland Press Herald - March 8, 1883

Portland Daily Press - March 9, 1883

Portland Daily Press - March 10, 1883

Portland Press Herald - March 10, 1883

Portland Daily Press - March 12, 1883

Portland Daily Press - March 12, 1883

Portland Daily Press - March 14, 1883

Portland Press Herald - March 16, 1883

Portland Press Herald - March 17, 1883

Portland Daily Press - March 17, 1883

Portland Daily Press - March 19, 1883

Portland Press Herald - March 19, 1883

Portland Daily Press - March 23, 1883

Portland Press Herald - March 23, 1883

Portland Daily Press - April 3, 1883

Portland Press Herald - May 9, 1883

Portland Press Herald - May 12, 1883

Portland Daily Press - May 12, 1883

Portland Daily Press - May 14, 1883

Portland Press Herald - May 14, 1883

Portland Daily Press - October 11, 1883

1884

Portland Press Herald - March 4, 1884

Portland Daily Press -March 4, 1883

1885

Portland Daily Press - February 26, 1885

Portland Daily Press - February 28, 1885

Portland Daily Press - February 28, 1885

Portland Daily Press - February 28, 1885

Portland Daily Press -February 28, 1885

Portland Daily Press - February 28, 1885

1886

Portland Daily Press - March 1, 1886

Portland Daily Press - March 1, 1886

Portland Daily Press - November 2, 1886

1887

Portland Daily Press - February 17, 1887

Portland Daily Press - February 24, 1887

Portland Daily Press - February 26, 1887

Portland Daily Press - February 28, 1887

Portland Daily Press - March 26, 1887

Portland Daily Press - April 1, 1887

Portland Daily Press - May 20, 1887

Portland Daily Press - July 23, 1887

Portland Daily Press - August 29, 1887

Portland Daily Press - October 20, 1887

Portland Daily Press - November 4, 1887

Portland Daily Press - December 30, 1887

1888

Portland Daily Press - January 9, 1888

Portland Daily Press - January 10, 1888

Portland Daily Press - January 18, 1888

Portland Daily Press - January 19, 1888

Portland Daily Press - January 21, 1888

Portland Daily Press - February 2, 1888

Portland Daily Press - February 7, 1888

Portland Daily Press - February 7, 1888

Portland Daily Press - February 16, 1888

Portland Daily Press - February 18, 1888

Portland Daily Press - February 22, 1888

Portland Daily Press - February 24, 1888

Portland Daily Press - February 25, 1888

Portland Daily Press - February 27, 1888

Portland Daily Press - February 28, 1888

Portland Daily Press - February 28, 1888

Portland Daily Press - February 29, 1888

Portland Daily Press - March 12, 1888

Portland Daily Press - March 13, 1888

Portland Daily Press - March 15, 1888

Portland Daily Press - March 15, 1888

Portland Daily Press - March 17, 1888

Portland Daily Press - March 24, 1888

Portland Daily Press - May 14, 1888

Portland Daily Press - May 17, 1888

Portland Daily Press - May 19, 1888

Portland Daily Press - June 15, 1888

Portland Daily Press - August 22, 1888

Portland Daily Press - August 25, 1888

Portland Daily Press - August 28, 1888

Portland Daily Press - September 10, 1888

Portland Daily Press - September 11, 1888

Portland Daily Press - September 17, 1888

Portland Daily Press - September 21, 1888

Portland Daily Press - September 22, 1888

Portland Daily Press - September 24, 1888

Portland Daily Press - September 25, 1888

Portland Daily Press - September 26, 1888

Portland Daily Press - September 27, 1888

Portland Daily Press - September 29, 1888

This photo of the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Statue is marked 1888.

Maine Memory Network #149788 - Photo by H. W. Shaylor

Portland Daily Press - October 1, 1888

Portland Daily Press - October 1, 1888

Portland Daily Press - October 2, 1888

Portland Daily Press - October 8, 1888

Portland Daily Press - October 12, 1888

Portland Daily Press - November 5, 1888

Portland Daily Press - November 29, 1888

This photo of the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Statue is marked c 1890.

Maine Memory Network #1132 - Photo by Charles Wheeler

Longfellow Square - State Street on the left - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Statue

is facing looking up Congress Street towards Monument Square. c 1900

Maine Memory Network #15497 - Carl C. Coffin glass plate negative

This photo of the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Statue is marked c 1900.

Maine Memory Network #16494 - Photo in Coll. 427 Box 5/1

Congress Street c 1900 - Portland Public Library on the far right. In the background,

viewers can see the Longfellow Statue to the right of the trolley - PWM print

Map Key for landmarks in the Portland map from 1928. PWM Coll.

President Theodore Roosevelt's tour route in Portland on August 26, 1902

This was the first of five times (1902, 1912, 1914, 1916, and 1918)

that he would pass by the Longfellow Statue at Longfellow Square at the

corner of State and Congress Streets. PWM Collection

President Theodore Roosevelt, in his carriage, had just passed by the

Longfellow Statue at Longfellow Square, and is following the Portland

Railroad trolley tracks onto High Street from Congress Street.

He will visit friends at the Cumberland Club at 120 High Street.

The Libby Mansion is in the background on the left, on the corner of High

and Congress Streets. August 26, 1902, Maine Memory Network #158

Looking across Congress Street, passing the Longfellow Statue at

Longfellow Square, up at State Street.

Postcard date stamped March 5, 1907

PWM Coll.

Longfellow Statue at Longfellow Square with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

sitting and looking up Congress Street towards what is now known as

Monument Square - Postcard date stamped May 27, 1908 - PWM Coll.

Portland Railroad ten-bench open trolley No. 97 on Congress Street, approaching

State Street by Longfellow Statue at Longfellow Square, c 1900

Postcard date stamped September 5, 1908

O. R. Cummings Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum 2009_2_32_048

Portland Railroad trolley No. 110 on Congress Street, just passed by Longfellow

Statue at Longfellow Square, on its way to Union Station at St. Johns Street, c 1910

O. R. Cummings Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum 2009_2_32_039

The building in the background, in October of 1918, would become

Queens Hospital.  The owner, Doctor Stephen H. Weeks, had passed away.

His daughter Marion Weeks donated her father's home, located at the corner

of Congress and State Streets, across from the Longfellow Statue.

If that is the case, Theodore Roosevelt looks to be stopped at

Longfellow Square. Evening Express - March 28, 1918

Portland Railroad trolley No. 400-series on Congress Street, across from

Queens Hospital, about to pass by the  Longfellow Statue at Longfellow Square, on its

way to Monument Square, c 1925

O. R. Cummings Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum 2009_2_32_044

Portland Railroad trolley No. 400-series on Congress Street, in front of the

Queens Hospital's major maintenance to its exterior, as it just passed by Longfellow

Statue at Longfellow Square, on its way to Union Station at St. Johns Street, c 1935

O. R. Cummings Collection at Seashore Trolley Museum 2009_2_32_047

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Click Here: to see Donation Options to Help Civil Rights Bus 6481 

Click Here: For the list of links to Theodore Roosevelt Maine Heritage Trail Posts in Easy Order to View

Click Here: For the post with the numerous Novelty Notes Connecting Theodore Roosevelt, Maine, and the "Elegant Ride," Narcissus

We continue the restoration work on the 1912 Narcissus, the only surviving high-speed, luxury interurban coach of the Portland-Lewiston Interurban. 

Click Here: Narcissus Restoration-Related Posts

Being more than a century old, the stately, "Elegant Ride," Narcissus, is a gem.  This shimmering precious stone of Maine transportation history is brilliantly resplendent as it emanates so many elements of history, including time, places, people, and events, that it was coupled to, that when just a smattering of its seemingly innumerable stories are shared, the contents first captivates, fascinates, then generates interest to learn more 🙋. The majestic Narcissus is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Please consider joining the epic journey to complete the Narcissus Project by making a donation today!

Click Here: Donation Options for Helping the Narcissus

The restoration of this majestic icon of Maine's electric railway history is but one in a series of captivating stories containing an abundance of incredible coalitions of narratives.

Click Here: History-Related Posts - Narcissus and Portland-Lewiston Interurban

Click Here: Series of posts featuring the Founding of the Trolley Museum in 1939

Click Here: for the post on Brochures of the STM 1955-2025

     The Narcissus is featured in the national Gold Award-winning novel, Teddy Roosevelt, Millie, and the Elegant Ride. The "Elegant Ride" is the Narcissus. Theodore Roosevelt was a passenger on the Narcissus on August 18, 1914, between Lewiston and Portland, Maine, while campaigning for the Progressive Party candidates.

Click Here: Bookstores and Businesses promoting the Narcissus Project

Click Here: for 3rd Grade Lesson Plans - Example for Viewing the Vocabulary Activities for Grades 3-8

Independent book publisher Phil Morse,

holding the Gold Book Award Winner plaque

for the Middle Reader category for the Eric

Hoffer Book Award. Congratulations to

award-winning Maine author, Jean M. Flahive 😊