Hundreds of striking photographs document the interesting history of
the Univeristy of Maine.
Established by the Morrill Act of 1862, Maine State College officially
opened its doors in September of 1868 as a primarily agricultural
school. By 1897, the Maine state legislature voted to change the name of
the school to University of Maine, and expand the focus toward liberal
arts. The flagship school of the University of Maine system, the Orono
campus has had a significant impact on Maine life from its scientific
inventions to its cultural contributions. Located on the banks of the
Stillwater River, the university has always attracted motivated
undergraduates and graduate students. From its earliest days, it has
worked to be the state's center of learning, discovery, and service to
the public. Here the history of the state's land grant university from
1865 to 1940 is presented in hundreds of striking photographs. They tell
the story of the the school, including its academic, social, athletic,
and administrative history as it grew over its first 75 years.