The South Portlander

Local historian Kathy DiPhilippo sent the following press release:
On Thursday, November 20th, the South Portland Historical Society will conclude its 2008 Evening Chat series with a program entitled, “The Sardine Industry of Portland and South Portland in the 1900s.” In earlier days, the sardine factory horns were part of everyday life.  These whistles would alert workers that the herring boat had come in with its catch and it was time to come to work.  Indeed, sardine canning factories once abounded along the Maine coast, and have gradually closed over the years leaving only one factory still in operation in Maine today.
Evening Chats are oral history discussion events that are taped by SPC-TV for preservation and for broadcast at a later date. This event will take place at South Portland City Hall in the Council Chambers.  Participants are welcome to arrive at 6:15pm for light refreshments and actories. Whether you have a first-hand account to share, or if you just want to come and listen, everyone is welcome to attend. chance to meet other participants; the Chat will begin promptly at 6:30pm with a documentary film about the early sardine industry and the Brawn Company, a sardine canning factory in Portland owned and operated by the Brawn family of Cushing’s Point, South Portland.
The film will be followed by a slide show of images of South Portland’s sardine factories in Ferry Village, followed by open discussion among participants who either worked in, or lived near, the local sardine factories.
The 2008 Evening Chat Series is a program of the South Portland Historical Society, made possible with the support of the Maine Humanities Council, and in collaboration with South Portland Community Television.

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