Discovery Series Ornament – Maine
Discovery Series Ornament – Maine, a new ornament from New England has landed!
Maine has a rich and fascinating history that spans thousands of years, beginning with Indigenous peoples like the Wabanaki tribes, who inhabited the region for millennia before European contact. European exploration of the area started in the early 17th century, with French and English settlers establishing trading posts and small colonies along the coast. Maine was originally part of Massachusetts until 1820, when it was admitted to the Union as the 23rd state through the Missouri Compromise. The state’s economy historically centered on natural resources, with logging, fishing, and shipbuilding playing crucial roles in its development. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Maine became known for its maritime industries, rugged coastal landscapes, and abundant forests. During the Industrial Revolution, textile mills and manufacturing became important economic drivers, though the state has always maintained a strong connection to its natural environment and rural character. Today, Maine is celebrated for its scenic beauty, lobster industry, outdoor recreation, and distinctive cultural heritage that blends Indigenous, European, and maritime traditions.
The front of the ornament showcases Portland Head Light. Located in Cape Elizabeth, it is one of the most iconic and photographed lighthouses in the United States. Commissioned in 1791 and first lit in 1793, it is the oldest lighthouse in Maine and was originally authorized by George Washington himself. Perched dramatically on the rocky coastline near the entrance to Portland Harbor, the lighthouse stands 80 feet tall and has been an essential navigational aid for mariners throughout its long history.
The lobster and buoys are a reminder that fishing was the lifeblood of Maine’s coastal communities for centuries, deeply woven into the state’s economic and cultural fabric. From the indigenous Wabanaki peoples to generations of European settlers, Maine’s maritime tradition has been fundamentally shaped by the rich marine resources of the Atlantic Ocean and its numerous coastal rivers. Lobster fishing remains particularly iconic, with Maine producing approximately 90% of the United States lobster supply and supporting thousands of families through this challenging and essential industry. Beyond lobsters, commercial fisheries for groundfish like cod, haddock, and halibut have historically been crucial economic drivers and today continue to sustain many coastal towns. The fishing industry not only provides economic opportunity but also represents a profound way of life, embodying Maine’s resilience, maritime heritage, and deep connection to the ocean.
The Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) serves as Maine’s official state tree, a designation that reflects the tree’s immense historical and economic significance to the region. This majestic conifer, which can grow to heights over 80 feet, was once so valuable that during the colonial era, the British Crown would mark the largest and straightest white pines for use as ship masts in the Royal Navy. Maine’s extensive forests, dominated by these impressive trees, played a crucial role in the state’s logging and timber industries throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The bird on the back of the ornament is probably an oversight from the designers’ side. That bird doesn’t look like Maine’s state bird – Black-Capped Chickadee, unless they deliberately wanted to use the depiction of a seagull, ubiquitous in Maine, particularly along its extensive coastline. Several species of gulls, including the Herring Gull and the Ring-billed Gull, are common throughout the state’s coastal regions, islands, and harbors. These birds are not just numerous but are also a quintessential part of Maine’s maritime landscape, frequently seen around fishing ports, beaches, and rocky shorelines.
