From the Collections
By Linda Snow McLoon
An interesting picture has surfaced that expands our knowledge of Scarborough’s past. From a photograph and accompanying notes, we learn about an event that must have caused some excitement in Scarborough in the early 1940s. Shortly after music teacher Miss Steele started teaching in the Scarborough schools, she directed a cast of students in the Gilbert & Sullivan production HMS Pinafore. With Charlie Kilby playing the role of Captain, the group was invited to perform at City Hall in Portland. This was a family affair, as the girls’ dresses were crafted by mothers, grandmothers, and other volunteers out of material reported to be dark blue with stars on them. A town school bus transported the children to Portland. We are fortunate to have a picture and the names of the young actors taken on the steps of City Hall. If anyone can contribute more information on this event, please let us know.
HMS Pinafore cast members on the steps of Portland City Hall.
List of HMS Pinafore cast members.
In 1840, the incumbent Democrat president, Martin van Buren, was challenged by a Whig candidate, William Henry Harrison. Harrison had led a successful military force against Native Americans in the Battle of Tippecanoe, resulting in the slogan for his presidential bid, “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.” Harrison won the election but died only 31 days after his inauguration. This made Harrison’s presidency the shortest in American history and lifted his vice president, John Tyler, to office. A half-century later, Harrison’s grandson, Benjamin Harrison, became the 23rd president.
Our thanks to the Scarborough Garden Club, who gave the Scarborough Historical Museum two beautiful wreaths. Each year the club makes and hangs wreaths on the two front doors of our museum at 647 US Route 1 in Dunstan.
