Linwood Dyer Collection – Part 095
By Don Taylor
Introduction
Occasionally, a photograph captures not only individuals but an entire community moment. Such is the case with this remarkable panoramic photograph showing members of the Portland Men’s Singing Club gathered for a spring outing at Poland Spring, Maine, on May 24, 1919.
The photograph includes roughly seventy to eighty people, arranged in three rows on the lawn in front of the grand Poland Spring House, one of Maine’s most famous resort hotels. While the club itself was composed of men, the presence of many women in the photograph suggests that wives, family members, and guests joined the excursion.
If you recognize anyone in this photograph—or have family stories about the Portland Men’s Singing Club—please leave a comment below. Your information may help identify the individuals and preserve their stories for future generations.
The Photograph
The handwritten caption across the bottom reads: “Portland Mens Singing Club, Poland Spring, Maine, May 24th 1919.”
At the far right margin appears the photographer’s credit: “Photo by T. H. Merritt.”
The group is carefully arranged in three tiers:
- Front Row: Men seated on the grass, many holding their hats in their hands.
- Middle Row: Men and women seated in chairs.
- Back Row: Men and women standing.
Poland Spring House
Behind the group stands the impressive Poland Spring House, a landmark resort hotel that dominated the Maine tourism industry in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
The Portland Men’s Singing Club
Male choral societies were a common feature of American cultural life during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Organizations such as the Portland Men’s Singing Club promoted musical performance while also providing social fellowship for their members.
Music clubs helped enrich the cultural life of communities, and Portland had a particularly strong tradition of amateur musical societies.
The Photographer
The photograph was taken by T. H. Merritt, who appears to have specialized in large panoramic group photographs.
Historical Context
The date of the photograph—May 24, 1919—places it only months after the end of World War I.
During the war, many civic activities had been reduced or suspended. By the spring of 1919, communities across the country were resuming their social and cultural traditions. Gatherings such as this outing to Poland Spring likely represented a renewal of normal community life after the war’s disruptions.
A Community of Faces
Each individual in this image represents a life connected to Portland and the surrounding communities more than a century ago. Many of these men were likely members of Portland’s business and professional community, and some may have had ties to nearby towns such as Scarborough, Westbrook, South Portland, or Cape Elizabeth.
Help Identify the People in This Photograph
Historic group photographs often contain many unidentified individuals. If you recognize someone in this image of the Portland Men’s Singing Club at Poland Spring (1919), please leave a comment indicating the row and number (for example, “Front row #56 – my grandfather William H. Brown of Portland”). Your contribution may help reconnect these faces with their families and preserve their stories.
Disclaimer: This article was researched and written by the author. ChatGPT was used as a research and drafting aid, and Grammarly for editorial review and copyediting.
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