The St. Croix Historical Society has produced several books in the interest of promoting local history. Most recently, we have begun publishing these books through Amazon. We encourage you to contact us directly for a physical copy of any book if you live locally, or to browse our online selection. E-books now available!
The Reverend and the Mainers: In the 1860s, Reverend George Jones Adams arrived in Addison, Maine to lay the groundwork to convince 156 “colonists” to surrender their wealth to him and come to Jaffa to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. This book explores the events that followed using primary documents from the families involved and contemporary news articles.
$16 paperback
Nellie’s Diary: Memories of Calais, Maine 1851-53: The diary of a young woman, Nellie Holmes, who lived in the Holmestead on Main Street with her family. The 2022 edition has added material from newly recovered parts of Nellie’s diary that provide several months of entries past the original edition. Includes contemporary photos from Calais.
The Airline Road: This book is a collection of eclectic information about the people and the land along Maine’s infamous Airline Road, brought together by local historian John Dudley to give the reader a sense of its history. The information is arranged in two ways, geographically from west to east, where we tell something about each town and township; and topically, where we describe events or activities that affected the whole road.
$15, available now from Amazon. E-book: Coming soon
The District of Maine in the American Revolution: Local historian John Preston provides this detailed chronology of the American Revolution from the standpoint of the residents living in the District of Maine at the time. Primary and contemporary documents give an illuminating perspective of the individuals and encounters that continued as the revolution unfolded.
$18, available now from Amazon. E-book: $4.99.
Ned’s Valley: A Collection of Articles by H.E. Lamb About the St. Croix River Valley: Join H.E. “Ned” Lamb, the foremost historian of Calais, as he dives deep into the facts and storied legends of the St. Croix Valley in this collection of historical articles. Born in 1874, Ned was a passionate photographer and journalist based in Calais, Maine. He began his career as a journalist in 1928 and continued to write for The Calais Advertiser for three decades. Ned was among the founding members of the St. Croix Historical Society. For any student of Maine history, this compilation of Ned Lamb’s works is an important and valuable library addition.
New to the 2020 edition is a table of contents and a section of added pictures of Ned and by Ned. $16, available now from Amazon. E-book: $5.99.
Images of America: Calais: Produced in collaboration with Arcadia Publishing, author and society officer Lura Jackson collects more than 175 images of the Calais area for this high-production-value compilation. The book spans the history of Calais, including the indigenous Passamaquoddy people and encompassing the modern era. It is available through Arcadia Publishing, Amazon, and local retailers (Walgreens in Calais will carry it beginning in September 2020).
Washington County, Maine: 1700-1820: Written by local historian John Preston after five years of research, this book chronicles the early development of Washington County following European establishment in the colonies. Includes a wealth of maps and letters contemporary to the times. Click on the cover below to see the book at Amazon. $16.00. E-book: $8.99.
Calais Centennial: This book commemorates one of the biggest events to occur in Calais history – the celebration of its first 100 years as a city. Complete with scores of photographs of floats, participants, and local businesses from the time period, this is a perfect addition to any local history library. Click on the cover below to see the book on Amazon. $11.99. E-book: $6.99.
Washington County, Maine in the Civil War: 1861-1865 Written by Dr. Ken Ross of the St. Croix Historical Society, this extensive tome details the participants of the Civil War that called Washington County home – including their letters, their stories, and their ultimate fate. Click below to order from Amazon. $18.00. E-book: $6.99.
Keene on Red Beach: Collecting an anthology of articles from 20th century journalist Fred Keene, this book recounts a pivotal time period in early Red Beach and Calais history. Keene writes with a charming and engaging style that will keep the pages turning. Click below to order. $14.99. E-book: $4.99.
New Brunswick Lad: Dr. Ken Ross lends his pen to this true story of a local character from New Brunswick that found himself on the front lines during World War I. Filled with photos and personal details from his in-depth research and interviews with the subject, this is an exceptional local biography. $15.00. E-book: $4.99.
Stay tuned for more upcoming projects published through Amazon.
Other products:
(Prices include shipping)
Note Cards:
4 Views of St. Croix Island – (8 cards & envelopes total) – Paintings by Mary Livingstone – $15
Additional Books:
Champlain’s Journal – translated from French – $8
Pork, Molasses, and Timber by Eaton – $14
Around Town by Rail – $11
Nellie’s Diary (written by young Nellie Holmes in the 1850s) – $29
The Way We Were 1908 – $19
Calais Fair 1914 – $14 (containing the original program, attractions, and sponsors of the 1914 Calais Fair)
The Valley Cookbook (a collection of some of our favorite traditional down east recipes) – $14
Charlie’s Civil War (by Charles B. Livingstone, tracing the journals of his grandfather) – $24
Picture Books:
In Days Past: Calais 1896 – 52 views – $8
In Days Past: St. Andrews 1896 – 30 views – $8
Old Friends – 49 old area photos – $6 (postcards and pictures from the personal collection of Thomas and Wilma Parks)
Scenes of St. Stephen 1895 – $9
Scenes of Campobello, Eastport, & Lubec 1895 – $10
Maps:
Red Beach Birdseye view map, 11×17, laminated – $15
Calais, St. Stephen, & Milltown Birdseye view map 1879, 11×17, laminated – $15
Wharfs of Calais & St. Stephen map 1856, 11×17, laminated – $15
Ordering print materials
Send a written request with the title you would like and a check to:
St. Croix Historical Society
P.O. Box 242
Calais, Maine 04619
Additional Materials
The St. Croix Historical Society has made several documents available to its members and other organizations such as the Calais Library. The Society has been issuing quarterly newsletters of 8 to 10 pages covering news of Society events and history of local personalities and historic events. We recently had these volumes placed on CD’s together with an index so they can be researched at the Library on their equipment. It is our plan that future issues of the newsletter will be added to this resource.
The Society has made a slide show from both new and historic pictures taking a St. Croix River Trip starting at Calais and ending at Red Beach, across from St. Croix Island. There is a tape accompanying the slides that describes the history of both sides, New Brunswick and Maine, as you travel down river. This is available from the Society on a loan basis.
There is an additional tape devoted to Red Beach, the Plaster Mill, and Granite Works covering 1870 through 1920. This too is on a loan basis.
WALKING TOUR GUIDE TO HISTORIC DISTRICTS – For those who admire the unusual range of architecture often found in seacoast towns we offer a “Walking Tour Brochure” of 2 historic districts on Main Street, available at many stores and all motels in Calais. A short history of each house is included.