The legacy associated with Longfellow Square connects the past to the present in Portland, Maine. Created to honor the American poet and educator who was born in the city, Longfellow Square provides an identity for the city in a space that would otherwise just be another urban crossroad.
Honoring the Famous Fireside Poet
Erected in 1888, Longfellow Square is defined by a monument that honors the famous poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Born in Portland in 1807, Longfellow was one of the fireside poets from New England. He wrote many lyric poems known for their musicality, including “Paul Revere’s Ride,” “Excelsior” and “The Courtship of Miles Standish.”
Resting upon a granite base from Payson Tucker, the Longfellow monument features the names of children in New England who contributed money for the statue are sealed in a box in the statue’s pedestal. It anchors Longfellow Square in a way that has defined an identity for the entire area.
That identity has been further cultivated by establishments like the Longfellow Hotel, as well as One Longfellow Square, which is one of Portland’s most popular performing arts and concert venues, highlighting the further connections such spaces can enable. Places like Longfellow Books underscore the connection the monument represents to the community of the present in a way that bridges the past to the future for audiences of all eras.
Portland History
Surrounded by restaurants, music venues, and nightlife spots and featured in maps and guides to the city, Longfellow Square has become a hub of activity and connection. The Longfellow monument has been able to define an identity for the entire space, providing businesses and the entire community with a means of connection to the culture of the city and region.
