Special Collections Virtual Tour

A library interior with several shelves filled with books on the left side and a set of closed double wooden doors on the right. The doors have blue signs reading "Special Collections" and "Please Come In." The floor is carpeted with a pattern of gray and teal squares. The overall atmosphere is quiet and organized.

Special Collections, found on the 3rd floor of Fogler Library, works to collect, preserve, and make accessible many types of materials related to the state of Maine. Established in 1970 as a repository for Maine-related material, virtually all available printed bibliographical, historical, and descriptive works on the state as well as literary titles by Maine authors are housed in this department.

Subject Areas Actively Collected

Several topics have become strengths over the years as items have been donated by individuals and organizations. Subject areas actively collected include environmental history, gender studies, minority cultures in Maine, labor history, the history of education, the Maine art and literary scene, Maine politics, and university records. Find more information on how we define each of these areas, and the disciplines they are intended to support, in the Subject Areas Collected section of our department web page.  Let us know if you’d like more information on what we have available on these topics.

A collection of vintage seed and garden catalog covers from the late 1800s and early 1900s, overlapping each other. The covers feature ornate illustrations, including flowers, vegetables, and people in period clothing. Prominent text includes company names such as "Ross Bros. Co.," "Johnson & Stokes," and "Farquhar & Co.," with dates like 1894, 1895, 1896, 1899, and 1917. The designs are colorful and decorative, reflecting the style of the era.
Environmental History
A black and white photograph shows a panel of five people seated at a table with microphones. Behind them is a banner that reads "Wilde Stein." The panelists are dressed in clothing typical of the 1970s, including patterned shirts and a plaid blazer. The setting appears to be a public forum or discussion.
Gender Studies
A painted portrait of a person with dark skin, wearing a sleeveless purple top and a necklace made of round red beads. The background is a textured, dark gray color with a subtle halo effect behind the subject's head. The style is expressive and painterly, with visible brushstrokes.
Marginalized Communities in Maine
A sepia-toned historical photograph showing a group of boys sitting on large sacks outside a wooden building. The boys are dressed in early 20th-century work clothes, including caps, suspenders, and rolled-up sleeves. Some are barefoot, and their poses suggest they are taking a break or socializing. The setting appears to be an industrial or agricultural worksite.
Environmental History
Two individuals in theatrical costumes pose in front of a columned building, one wearing a long dress and wide-brimmed hat, the other in a top hat, jacket, and skirt. In the background, several people dressed in coordinated outfits stand in a line, suggesting a staged performance or event. The image is sepia-toned.
Maine Art and Literary Scene
Sepia-toned historical photograph of an early 20th-century classroom filled with young students seated at wooden desks arranged in rows. The children are dressed in period clothing, with many clasping their hands on their desks and facing forward. A teacher stands at the back of the room, and another adult is visible to the side. The classroom features tall windows letting in natural light, framed portraits and writing on the chalkboards, and potted plants on the windowsills. The image is labeled "Grammar School Grade V 1924" at the bottom.
History of Education
Black-and-white historical photograph capturing a formal gathering in a large, high-ceilinged room with tall arched windows and decorative wall sconces. In the foreground, a man in a suit stands at a podium or desk, holding a sheet of paper aloft while speaking into a microphone, suggesting he is addressing the audience or making a public statement. Seated behind him are rows of people attentively listening, dressed in formal attire, with some visible notetaking. The image conveys a sense of official proceedings, such as a legislative session, courtroom, or public meeting, and features classic wooden furniture and architectural details typical of early to mid-20th-century institutional buildings.
Maine Politics
Black-and-white historical photograph of a person dressed in a bear mascot costume, standing against a plain backdrop. The bear mascot is wearing a sweater with a large letter "M" on the front and a small hat with the letter "M" on top. The mascot is posed with one hand on its hip and the other raised in a friendly wave, conveying a welcoming and spirited demeanor.
University Records

Image sources, from left to right: Seed Catalog Collection, 1974 Prism Yearbook, O’Brien Collection book by Miguel Covarrubias, Fisheries Postcard Collection, Ginia Davis Scrapbook, Lois LaBeau Papers, Benjamin Bubar Papers, University Photo Archive

Did you know? Fogler Library was completed in 1947. Previous libraries for the university were in Fernald Hall (1868-1888), Coburn Hall (1888-1906), and Carnegie Hall (1906-1947). Many items from these early libraries are now found in Special Collections.

Black-and-white historical photograph of the interior of Coburn Hall at the University of Maine in 1891. The image shows a quiet library scene with several individuals seated at wooden tables and chairs, reading or writing. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with neatly arranged volumes line the walls, and a large wooden column stands prominently in the center of the room. Natural light enters through a distinctive arched window in the background, illuminating the space. A framed portrait hangs on the brick wall above a set of shelves, and period light fixtures are suspended from the ceiling. The photograph captures the scholarly atmosphere and classic architectural details of a late 19th-century academic library.
The library in Coburn Hall, 1895. Photo from the University Archive.
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