A Presentation: The Lost Trotting Parks of Kennebec County & The Story of Winthrop Messenger -- A ZOOM Presentation sponsored by the Winthrop Historical Society

The Maine Spirit and the Horse
Part of Lost Trotting Parks' Maine 200 Initiative

If other organizations would like to consider a ZOOM Presentation, please contact Stephen Thompson by e-mail -- themainespirit@gmail.com.

Understanding the Development of the State of Maine from Maps and Historic Timelines of the State of Maine

Exploring the Development of Maine
through Maps and Historic Timelines

Banners will be developed for the ten panels on top of the bedsides of a 67 Chevy C-10 Pickup. This pickup was the last truck my father, Keith M. Thompson, purchased when he farmed with his father, Arthur L. Thompson and his two brothers, Colby Thompson and Curtis Thompson. A frame was created for each bedside that include two hinged panels. Three banners will present map images of the State of Maine from 1615 to present day.Online Historic Timelines will provide context for each map. Students and people from other age ranges can explore the development over time of towns as they developed along the rivers of Maine. Primary rivers include Sagadahoc River, Kennebec River, Androscoggin River, and the Penobscot River.

List of the Rivers of the State of Maine

Timelines of History – Timeline of Maine History from Pre-1600 to 2005

Maine Memory Network – Maine History Timeline from 23,000BCE to 2003

Timeline of Maine History 05: Developing a Maine Identity from 23,000 BC to 2003

Links to Maine History -- Resources from the State of Maine

Maine History Links

This post on the Maine Spirit of the Horse provides readers with links to historical content. The links fall under the following Categories:

Historical Societies, Historic Sites, Maine State Museums and Archives, Maine History - General, Maine Native American History, Maine History -- Government Officials, 1820 to Present, Maine History - Military/Civil War, Top Online Services and Related Agencies

Click the Link Below:

Links to Maine History: Maine State Government

The Journey Begins Here -- The Maine Spirit Map Initiative

Throughout the next sixteen months, The Maine Spirit Map Initiative will encourage Maine people of all ages to explore the history exhibit through the changing maps that include what has become the State of Maine from 1615 up to present day.

Right click with your mouse and open in a new tab that will allow you to magnify this storyboard.

The Winthrop Historical Society Replaces the Winthrop Messenger Monument in Winthrop

Several years ago Clark P. Thompson of Bangor published the book, Maine's Trotting Horse Heritage Trail. For each subject in the book, Clark placed an inscribed granite monument in an appropriate location. Two years ago the monument was scooped up by a snow bucket and was lost. Last year the Winthrop Historical Society replaced the monument. A Great Thank You to the Winthrop Historical Society for keep a piece a Maine's Trotting Horse History. 

Recently I read an article stating that Winthrop Messenger was returned to Dixfield where he died. Just might be more to the story!

The Maine Spirit Map Initiative -- Early Maps of the land that became the State of Maine and Communities with trotting parks

The Lost Trotting Parks Maine Spirit Initiative will include maps beginning in 1615 through 1820. Through these maps viewers can see how cartographers visualized the land that became the State of Maine. A special focus will feature the rivers of Maine and 19th century atlas maps that show the location of trotting parks in Maine communities.

This map represents what will be displayed at live exhibitions. Unfortunately you can not read the text due to low resolution.

This map was downloaded from the archives of the Library of Congress.

The Maine's Spirit Map Initiative -- The Rivers of Maine and 19th Century Maine Atlas Images of the Lost Trotting Parks of Maine

The Lost Trotting Parks' Maine Spirit of the Horse Initiative calls for the development of banners that will display the following: 1: The development of  maps starting in the 18th century that include what becomes the State of Maine and 2. 19th Century Maine Atlas Maps that include Lost Trotting Parks.