The North-East
Virginia-Maine
Virginia
- Abbreviation: VA
- Capital: Richmond
- Largest City: Virginia Beach
- Area: 42,775 mi²
- Population: 8.326 million (2014)
- Resident Name: Virginian
Physical Characteristics
- The state can be divided into five geographical regions: the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, the Blue Ridge, the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region and the Appalachian Plateau.
- Climate
The climate of Virginia varies because of the contrasting geography present in the state. The temperatures vary from average lows of 26 degree Fahrenheit to average highs of 86 degree Fahrenheit. It has an annual rainfall of 42.7 inches. During the winters, snowfall and blizzards occur due to the cold air masses arriving over the mountains. The coastal area of Virginia is vulnerable to hurricanes. The state averages seven tornadoes annually.
- Rivers
The major rivers of the state are James River, Rappahannock River, Potomac River and Shenandoah River. James River is 348 miles long and is the twelfth-longest river in the United States.
- Lakes
Major lakes of the state are Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Lake Moomaw, Pound Lake and Philpott Lake. Lake Moomaw is named after Benjamin Moomaw, a local businessman who was a promoter of the Gathright Dam project, from which the lake is formed.
- Mountains
Mount Rogers is the highest point in the state. Other important mountains in the state are: Mount Rogers (5,729 feet), Whitetop Mountain (5,525 feet), Pine Mountain ( 5,525 feet), Haw Orchard Mountain (5,007 feet)
History (Major Events)
1607 The Virginia Company of London established the colony of Jamestown.
1612 John Rolfe helped save the colony by introducing tobacco growing and exporting.
1619 America's first representative legislature, the House of Burgesses, met in Jamestown.
1619 Dutch traders brought the first Negroes to Jamestown.
1624 Virginia became a royal colony.
1676 Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion against the government.
1693 The College of William and Mary was founded.
1775 George Washington became Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.
1776 Virginia declared its independence and adopted its first constitution. Thomas Jefferson of Virginia wrote the Declaration of Independence.
1781 Lord Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in the final battle of the American Revolutionary War.
1784 Virginia gave up its western land claims to the United States.
1788 Virginia became the 10th state to ratify the Constitution (June 25).
1789 George Washington, a Virginian, became the first President of the United States.
1792 Kentucky was formed from three of Virginia's western counties.
1801-1825 Three Virginians served as Presidents: Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809), James Madison (1809-1817), and James Monroe (1817-1825).
1801-1835 John Marshall, another Virginian, served as Chief Justice of the United States.
1831 Cyrus McCormick invented the reaper near Walnut Grove.
1841 William Henry Harrison, born in Virginia, became President. Harrison died a month later, and Vice-President John Tyler, yet another Virginian, became President.
1849 Zachary Taylor, another Virginian, became President.
1861-1865 Virginia seceded from the Union and became the major battleground of the Civil War.
1863 West Virginia was formed from northwestern Virginia.
1870 Virginia was readmitted to the Union.
1912 Woodrow Wilson became the eighth Virginian to be elected President.
1940-1945 New industries opened during World War II, adding to the state's industrial growth.
1959 The first public school integration in Virginia took place in Arlington County and Norfolk.
1964 The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connecting the mainland and the Eastern Shore was opened.
1969 A. Linwood Holton, Jr., became the first Republican to be elected Governor since 1869.
1971 A new state constitution went into effect.
Industries/Agriculture-Economics
- Tobacco, once the basis of the Virginia economy, has been replaced by livestock and livestock products as the state's most valuable source of agricultural income. Livestock products now generate more than 2/3 of the state's total agricultural receipts.
In terms of revenue generated Virginia's top five agricultural products are broilers (young chickens), beef cattle and calves, dairy products, greenhouse and nursery products, and turkeys.
- Livestock- Broilers (5-12 week-old chickens) are the state's most valuable product followed by beef cattle. Other important livestock products include milk, turkeys, and horses/mules. Virginia is one of the country's leading (#6 among the states) producers of turkeys. Chicken eggs, hogs, aquaculture, and sheep and lambs are also part of the livestock products category.
- Crops- In this category, greenhouse and nursery products lead the way, generating 9% of Virginia's total agricultural receipts. Soybeans edge out tobacco for the number two position, providing about 5% of the state's total agricultural receipts. Tobacco generates around 4% of total receipts. Other field crops grown in Virginia are hay, cotton, wheat, peanuts, and barley. Tomatoes and corn for grain are other major crops grown in Virginia. Other important vegetable crops grown in the state are potatoes, snap beans, cucumbers, and sweet corn. Leading fruits grown in Virginia include apples and grapes.
- Manufacturing- Manufacturers add value to raw products by creating manufactured items. For example, cotton cloth becomes more valuable than a boll of cotton through manufacturing processes. Tobacco products are Virginia's most valuable processed products produced in the manufacturing sector followed by beverages (soft drinks, beer). Ranked as Virginia's second most valuable group of manufactured goods are chemicals (pharmaceuticals, synthetic fibers).
Production of transportation equipment (boats and ships, motor vehicle parts, trucks) ranks third in the state.
- Mining- Coal is the state's leading mined product. Other products are crushed stone, sand and gravel, lime, kyanite and clay.
- Fishing- Virginia is a leading crab and oyster producing state.
Other important catches are Atlantic croaker, summer flounder, striped bass, menhaden and spot.
- Services- The community, business and personal services group is the most valuable services industry in Virginia producing income through private health care, hotels and motels, computer programming and engineering companies and repair shops. The growth sector is in technology with business for computer programmers, consultants, engineers and researchers generated by the federal government. The world's largest Internet service provider is based in Virginia. Ranking second are the government and finance, insurance and real estate service groups. Government services include operation of public schools, hospitals and military bases. The Pentagon, the headquarters of the CIA and military bases are all located in Virginia. Rapid population growth has fueled the real estate market in the state with the construction of new homes, shopping centers and other properties. Falls Church and Richmond are the most important financial centers in Virginia. Ranking third in the services sector is the wholesale trade (coal, farm products, groceries) and retail trade (automobile dealerships, department stores, food stores, telemarketing, mail order) services group.
Sources
People/Culture (Famous People)
- Patrick Henry, James Madison, George Mason, John Jay, John Marshall Supreme Court Justice (1755-1835), Douglas Wilder Governor, Mayor (1931-), Rick Santorum Legal Professional, U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator (1958–), Gaby Douglas Athlete, Gymnast (1995-), Allen Iverson Famous Basketball Player (1975-), Moses Malone Famous Basketball Player (1955-2015), Arthur Ashe Tennis Player, Activist (1943-1993) , Nat Turner (1800-1831), Maggie Lena Walker Activist (1864-1934), and Martha Jefferson U.S. First Lady(1748-1782) these are just a few of famous people that are from Virginia.
Places to Visit/Things to Do/Monuments/Tourism
- Few places can recreate a setting for the period of the American Revolution as well as Williamsburg, where the original 18th-century buildings are either still standing or have been faithfully reproduced on their original foundations. Here, you can stand where Patrick Henry gave his stirring speech, walk the same streets as Thomas Jefferson, and savor crab cakes where George Washington enjoyed seafood dinners. Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia from 1705 and throughout the Revolution, and the final battle of the war was fought nearby, so it was a hotbed of the independence movement, along with being one of the most prosperous and politically active colonial capitals. Costumed interpreters help show what life was like for the gentry, the farmers, and the slaves that lived and worked here, and frequent re-enactments add color and action that makes Williamsburg fun to visit for all ages. In addition, you can visit two outstanding museums of folk and decorative arts and dozens of authentically recreated colonial gardens.
- Named for the wide expanse of golden sand that stretches from just east of Norfolk, Virginia Beach is a very popular and often crowded resort town with the expected hotels, amusements, and a long boardwalk. If the Atlantic Ocean is not warm enough for the children, take them to the 19-acre Ocean Breeze Water Park, with Caribbean themed water slides, a wave pool, and water playground. The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Museum explores the climate, sea floor, and fauna of the coast, with an 800,000-gallon aquarium, hands-on exhibits, and a touch tank. Outdoors is an aviary, nature trail, marshlands to explore, and an adventure park. More than 9,000 acres of coastline has been protected in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge where you'll find walking and hiking trails and picnic facilities at the visitor center. This is a favorite spot for birders, as more than 10,000 birds visit annually, including snow geese, falcons, ducks, and piping plovers. The Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum displays historical and contemporary waterfowl decoys. To visit the 1791 Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, which opened up the Chesapeake Bay area to safe navigation, and the nearby New Lighthouse built in 1881, you will need to pass through security at the Fort Story Military Base. Between Virginia Beach and Norfolk is the entrance to the 20-mile-long engineering marvel Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which spans the entrance to Chesapeake Bay, connecting the mainland to Virginia's Eastern Shore.
- One of the finest country houses in the United States and one of the most visited presidential homes, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello is a Palladian-style mansion he designed himself, inspired by a villa outside Vicenza, Italy. He continued altering and improving it over a period of forty years, from 1768 to 1809. Throughout the house, you'll see several of Jefferson's inventions, which show another facet of the versatile man's talents. To the rear of the house are the extensive historic gardens, also designed by Jefferson, and below is the family cemetery with an obelisk marking Jefferson's grave. An interesting outdoor exhibit, Landscape of Slavery: Mulberry Row at Monticello, sheds light on the lives of the people who worked and lived on the 5,000-acre plantation. The Monticello Visitors Center has more than 400 items on display, an introductory film, and hands-on activities for children. Jefferson founded the University of Virginia in 1819 and also designed its red-brick buildings. Be sure to see the outstanding Rotunda; fans of Edgar Allan Poe can see his room in the West Building. The university's Art Museum has a permanent collection of American, European, and Asian art. Not far from Monticello is Ash Lawn Highland, the country house of President James Monroe, with beautiful period gardens. At Michie Tavern, built during Jefferson's time, you can dine in 18th-century surroundings.
- George Washington's home from 1754 until his death 45 years later, Mount Vernon was a work in progress under Washington's close supervision, even while he was leading the Continental Army during the Revolution. The architectural design, construction, and even interior décor in each renovation and addition received his personal attention, resulting in the gracious 21-room plantation house you see today. You may be surprised at the vivid paint and wallpaper colors throughout the house, but these shades were popular in the late 18th century - the bright green walls in the "New Room" were Washington's favorite. Unlike many historic homes, Mount Vernon is filled with personal reminders of George and Martha Washington: family portraits, crests, and the couple's belongings.
The grounds and gardens overlooking views of the Potomac River were a great pride of the first president, and again he took a personal part in their planning and care. He chose a less formal and more natural plan than his predecessors, reshaping the lawns and paths and planting native species of trees and shrubs. The outbuildings have been preserved or reconstructed, and you'll often see the many skills used on the plantation demonstrated: blacksmithing, plowing, sheep shearing, weaving, even grinding grain at the water-powered gristmill.
- In the center of Virginia, Shenandoah National Park protects portions of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which range in height between 2,000 and 4,000 feet. Along their crest and running the length of the park is the Skyline Drive, the northern continuation of the Blue Ridge Parkway, with stopping points to enjoy the views and attractions, including President Hoover's summer residence and the old Cave Cemetery below Dark Hollow Falls. You can find information about hiking trails at the park entrances. Flowering trees and shrubs are at their finest in spring and summer, but the park is best known for its autumn colors in October. Only a short drive west from the Skyline Drive on US 211 are Luray Caverns containing magnificent formations of stalactites and stalagmites. One of the cave's highlights is the world's only stalactite organ, where the stalactites resonate when struck with rubber mallets.
- Spread across 600 acres overlooking Washington, D.C., Arlington National Cemetery is where some of the most famous people in the United States are buried. The most visited are the grave of President John F. Kennedy and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Kennedy's grave is marked by a slate headstone covered with Cape Cod fieldstone and contains inscriptions of his 1960 inaugural address carved in marble, as well as an eternal flame. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is carved of white marble and watched over by an honor guard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It contains the remains of soldiers from both World Wars, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War. The third site tourists look for is the famous Iwo Jima Memorial, the Marine Corps War Memorial depicting the Joseph Rosenthal photo of five marines and one sailor raising the flag on Mount Suribachi. Other notable monuments include the Seabees Memorial, sculpted by former Seabee Felix de Weldon who also created the Iwo Jima Memorial, and the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, a tribute to all women in the US military. Arlington House was built in the early 1800s by George Washington Parke Custis as a tribute to his step-grandfather, George Washington. However the house is most famous for being the residence of Robert E. Lee and his wife for 30 years until they abandoned it during the Civil War. Lee was a commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the American Civil War. The house has been restored and now serves as a memorial to him. Near the mansion is the tomb of Pierre L'Enfant, who designed the city of Washington, D.C. His original city plan is etched in stone, and his burial spot commands a beautiful view of the city he planned. The mast of the Battleship Maine is incorporated into a memorial to the casualties of the ship that sunk in Havana Harbor in 1898, leading to the Spanish-American war.
- Colonial National Historic Park encompasses both Jamestown and Yorktown, where the Revolution ended. Jamestown is the oldest British settlement on North American soil, established in 1607 by Captain John Smith. Only the foundations of the 1639 church tower, the churchyard, and the outlines of a few other buildings remain of the original settlement, but you'll find a re-creation of a Powhatan village based on contemporary drawings and archaeological finds, and replicas of the three ships that brought the settlers from England - Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery. Jamestown Settlement was built in 1957 to commemorate the 350th anniversary of Jamestown's founding. A museum and exhibition galleries focus on England's colonization in the New World, the history and culture of the Powhatans, and Jamestown's first 100 years. The statue of Pocahontas by William Ordway Partridge was erected in 1922 in memory of her role in smoothing relations between the Native Americans and the settlers. The statue of John Smith by William Couper was erected in 1909. Triangular James Fort is a re-creation of the one constructed by the colonists, with thatch-roofed structures representing Jamestown's earliest buildings. Although none of the original buildings are still standing, the foundations are still in place and you can see them on a half-mile walk through New Towne, part of Colonial National Historical Park. It was at Yorktown Battlefield that the English Army under Lord Cornwallis surrendered to the combined American and French Armies, paving the way for American Independence. The events on the battlefield are well documented and easy to understand from the interpretive displays and dioramas. Park Ranges also guide frequent tours, and you can see the early 18th-century Moore House where Cornwallis surrendered. Nelson House, which has a cannonball lodged in the wall near the upper window, is well-restored and an excellent example of Georgian architecture. Grace Episcopal Church has been standing since 1697 despite the ravages of war during the sieges of Yorktown in 1781 and 1862 and despite the fire of 1814. Communion silver dating from 1649 is still in use.
Flower/Tree- Flowering Dogwood
- Scientific Name: Cornus Florida- Dogwood
- Rank: Species
- Symbol of: West Virginia, Virginia, Missouri, and North Carolina
Bird- Cardinal
- Scientific Name: Cardinalidae- Passerine
- Rank: Family
- Symbol of: Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina, and Virginia
Song- Carry Me Back To Old Virginny
State Flag
- "Virtus, the genius of the commonwealth, dressed like an Amazon, resting on a spear with one hand, and holding a sword in other, and treading on tyranny, represented by a man prostrate, a crown fallen from his head, a broken chain in his left hand and a scourge in his right. In the exergon the word Virginia over the head of Virtus, and underneath the words "Sic Semper Tyrannis."
Maine
- Abbreviation: ME
- Capital: Augusta
- Largest City: Portland
- Area: 35,385 mi²
- Population: 1.33 million (2014)
- Resident Name: Mainer
Physical Characteristics
History (Major Events)
11,500 years ago, the Paleo Indians settled in Maine.
1000 A.D. — Norse sailors, led by Leif Erikson, arrive in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Evidence suggests that they may have reached as far south as Maine.
1524 — Giovanni da Verranzano became the first confirmed European to explore the coast of Maine.
1604 — A French contingency led by Pierre du Guast Sieur de Monts establishes the first recorded European colony in Maine at the mouth of the St. Croix River.
1607 — The British establish the Fort Popham Colony which does not last the brutal winter.
1622 — Sir Ferdinando Gorges and John Mason are granted rights to lands which make up what is now Maine and New Hampshire. Gorges became the first person to title the territory "Maine".
1652 — Maine is annexed as a frontier territory by Massachusetts. The strategic importance of Maine is established as Massachusetts officials considered it the first line of defense against potential French and Indian invasions.
1675 — King Phillip's War begins what will be a long and arduous battle between the English and the French and Indians for control of the North American territories.
1675 - 1763 — This time period is marked by continuous conflict between the North American powers. What began with King Phillip's War ended with France surrendering their holdings in the new world to the English at the finish of the Seven Years War. During this time, Maine bore the brunt of several attacks by the French and Indian forces.
1775 — First naval battle of the Revolutionary War occurs off the coast of Machias.
1775 — Benedict Arnold marches a band of revolutionaries through Maine in a failed attempt to capture British strongholds in Quebec City and Montreal.
1794 — Bowdoin College becomes Maine's first post-secondary institution.
1820 — As a result of the Missouri Compromise, Maine becomes its own state.
1839 — Governor Fairfield declares war on England over a boundary dispute between New Brunswick and northern Maine. This is the first and only time a state has declared war on a foreign power. The dispute was settled, however, before any blood was shed.
1842 — The Webster - Ashburton Treaty of 1842 settled the Maine/New Brunswick border dispute as both sides compromised on a new boundary between the two territories.
1851 — Harriet Beecher Stowe begins writing Uncle Tom's Cabin in Brunswick, Maine. This novel would later serve as a source of inspiration for abolitionists prior to the Civil War.
1860 — Paris, Maine native, Hannibal Hamlin is named Abraham Lincoln's Vice President.
1863 — Brunswick native, Joshua Chamberlain successfully defended Little Round Top against confederate troops at the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War. Chamberlain's actions arguably served as the turning point of that battle.
1866 — A great fire destroys much of downtown Portland in the area now known as the Old Port.
1888 — Melville W. Fuller, a native of Maine, becomes the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme court.
1931 — Governor Percival Baxter begins buying land in Northern Maine for the purpose of establishing a game reserve. Over the course of 30 years, Baxter would purchase over 90,000 acres. This land was generously donated toward the establishment of Baxter State Park.
1948 — Skowhegan native Margaret Chase Smith is elected to the U.S. Senate making her the first woman to ever be voted into this office and also the first women to serve in both houses of Congress.
1968 — The University of Maine system is established, creating public post - secondary institutions in various parts of the state.
1974 — James Longley is elected Governor of Maine. He becomes the first popularly elected independent governor in the history of the United States.
1980 — Rumford native, Senator Edmund Muskie replaces Cyrus Vance as President Carter's Secretary of State.
1980 — President Carter signs the Indian Land Claims agreement.
1984 — Freeport native, Joan Benoit Samuelson becomes the first gold medal winner in the inaugural women's Olympic marathon event at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, CA.
1988 — Waterville native, Senator George Mitchell is named the U.S. Senate Majority Leader.
1987 — March brought warm weather and heavy rains causing severe flooding in Maine and other Northeastern state.
1994 — Brunswick resident Angus King becomes only the second popularly elected independent governor in United States history.
1997 — Bangor native, Senator William Cohen is sworn in as President Clinton's Secretary of Defense.
1998 — Maine's worst natural disaster, The Ice Storm, began the first week in January.
2002 — John E. Baldacci was elected Governor of Maine and reelected in 2006.
Industries/Agriculture-Economics
- About 60% of Maine's agricultural revenues are derived from livestock and livestock production; 40% from crops. In terms of revenue generated, Maine's top five agricultural products are dairy products, potatoes, chicken eggs, greenhouse and nursery products, and aquaculture products.
- Livestock- Eggs and milk are the leading livestock products in the state, followed by chicken eggs. Other important livestock products are aquaculture (Atlantic salmon), cattle and calves, and hogs. Sheep and turkeys are also raised in the Pine Tree State.
- Crops- The state's largest crop is its Maine State Potatoes crop. Other crops are corn, hay, oats and other grains to feed cattle. Greenhouse and nursery products, broccoli, dry beans, peas and other vegetables are also grown. Apples are Maine's most valuable fruit crops, but Maine is also a leading producer of wild blueberries. Other fruit crops are cranberries, raspberries and strawberries
-Manufacturing- Manufacturers add value to raw products by creating manufactured items. For example, cotton cloth becomes more valuable than a boll of cotton through manufacturing processes.Leading manufactured products in Maine are paper products, including cardboard boxes, paper bags and pulp, as well as paper. Ranking second in the manufacturing sector is computer and electronic equipment (personal computer microchips, communications equipment). Third is transportation equipment (ship building, repair, some aerospace equipment).
- Mining- Sand and gravel and limestone are the base products of Maine's mining industry.Other mined products clays, garnet, gemstones (amethyst, topaz, tourmaline), granite and peat.Large copper and zinc deposits have not been fully developed.
- Fishing- Maine's fish and shellfish industry is ranked high among the states. Its yearly lobster catch is the biggest of any state.Other important products are soft-shell clams, mussels, crabs, and sea urchins. Commercial fish include cod, flounder, haddock and sea herring. Fish farms breed Atlantic salmon.
- Services- Community, business, and personal services (private health care, hotels, law firms, repair shops) is Maine's leading service industry. The wholesale (wholesale paper and pulp) and retail (automobile dealerships, discount stores, gasoline stations, grocery stores, restaurants) trade industries and the finance, insurances and real estate industries rank as Maine's second most important service industry.
Famous People
Politics
Social Issues
Against incredible odds, we took on Big Oil and won to block a tar sands terminal on the shores of Casco Bay. But the oil industry has vowed to do everything in its power to overturn the ordinance.
- Stop Keystone
New Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is bringing up the Keystone XL pipeline as his first order of business. Here’s why we’re urging senators to vote no.
- Save Our Ocean Treasures
We have an incredible natural heritage in our oceans—not only whales, sea turtles, coral and fish but also the sea canyons and kelp forests that allow these creatures to survive and thrive. President Obama now has an historic opportunity to safeguard New England’s remaining ocean jewels now and forever.
- No Bees, No Food
Millions of bees are dying off, with alarming consequences for our environment and our food supply. We rely on bees to pollinate everything from almonds to strawberries to the hay used to feed dairy cows. What happens if the bees disappear? It’s simple: No bees, no food. Let's give bees a chance.
- Local, Sustainable Maine Food
Maine is on the cusp of an agricultural revival -- one in which local, sustainable farms, not factory farms, feed our state and beyond. That's why we're working to bring the local foods movement to scale.
- Go Solar
While more of us are trying to go solar, dirty energy companies keep putting up new roadblocks. We’re urging our leaders to go big on solar and leave dirty energy behind.
- Global Warming Solutions
President Obama has a plan that’s been called “the strongest action ever taken by an American president” to tackle global warming. Our new leaders in Congress have vowed to do everything in their power to stop him. Stand with the president for our health and our future, not the polluters.
- Clean Water for Maine
Polluting industries have put our nation's waters in jeopardy by carving loopholes in the Clean Water Act, leaving 25,000 miles of Maine's streams open to pollution. Join our call to restore the law's protection to all of our waters.
Places to Visit/Things to Do/Monuments/Tourism
- Acadia National Park is home to a rugged and beautiful stretch of coastline, inland lakes and streams, and forests. It provides a playground for locals and visitors who enjoy the outdoors. A scenic road winds its way through the park past a number of attractions. The park also has well over a hundred miles of hiking trails for all levels of ability. There are two campgrounds within the park.
- The little coastal town of Kennebunkport, 12.5 miles south of Portland, is very popular in summer. Features of interest are the Seashore Trolley Museum and the local history collection in Town House School. Dock Square is a restored area of the town with many shops and galleries. A scenic walkway begins from the square and leads out to Walker's Point. The town also has several historic building and homes which can be seen on a self-guided walking tour of the area.
- The Bowdoin College Museum of Art, located on the college campus in Brunswick, features a varied collection of pieces, ranging from ancient to contemporary art. Rotating temporary exhibits, gallery talks, tours, symposia, publications, and lectures take place throughout the year.
- The Old Fort Western Museum on the Kennebec is a wooden fort which was built in 1754. It is the oldest of its kind in New England and has been well restored. The fort provides exhibits and information on the fort and the history of the area during the mid 18th century. Also available are a number of educational programs designed to create learning experiences for students.
- Boothbay Harbor was once a shipping port but today it is primarily a popular a summer resort. Ocean-related activities are popular with tourists, including deep-sea fishing, river and ocean cruises, and whale watching. The downtown area has numerous antique shops, galleries, and stores selling everything from jewelry and pottery to toys and books.
- Monhegan Island is a small island that lies 10 miles off the coast of Maine. There are no cars or paved roads on the island and it is mainly a fishing and lobstering area. The population is less than 75 people. During the summer months visitors often take day trips to the island from Boothbay Harbor, New Harbor, and Port Clyde.
- Victoria Mansion is an extraordinary Italian style villa built in the mid 19th century. The architecture and the interior details are exquisite, and the home provides a glimpse into how Portland's wealthy lived during this time period. Most of the furnishings are original.
Flower- White Pine Cone and Tassel
- Scientific Name: Pinus strobus- Strobus
- Rank: Species
- Symbol of: Michigan, Maine
- Adopted by the Legislature of 1895.
- The White Pine is considered to be the largest conifer in the northeastern United States.
Bird- Black Capped
- Scientific Name: Poecile atricapillus- Poecile
- Ranked: Species
- Symbol of: Massachusetts, Maine
- The black-capped chickadee is a small, nonmigratory, North American songbird that lives in deciduous and mixed forests. It is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae.
Motto- Dirigo
Nickname- The Pine Tree State
Song- Words and Music- By: Roger Vinton Snow
State Flag
Bibliography/Sources
- Sources include: United States Census Bureau
- http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0855542.html
- http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/maine/state-motto-state-quarter/dirigo
- www.netstate.com/states/symb/song/me_state_of_maine_song.htm
- http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/va_flag.htm
- http://www.mapsofworld.com/usa/states/virginia/geography.html
- http://www.maine.gov/sos/kids/about/historytime.htm
- http://www.robinsonlibrary.com/america/uslocal/south/virginia/history/dates.htm
- http://www.netstate.com/economy/me_economy.htm
- http://www.netstate.com/economy/va_economy.htm
- http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-in-Virginia
- http://www.biography.com/people/groups/born-in-maine
- http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/maine-usme.htm
- http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/virginia-usva.htm