Explore Maine’s Untold Vegetarian History at the Maine Historical Society

'Maine’s Untold Vegetarian History' explores 300 years of the state’s vegetarian movement, running from September 10, 2024 to May 17, 2025.

Photo byMaine Historical Society

Dive into a fascinating slice of history with the Maine Historical Society’s latest exhibition, Maine’s Untold Vegetarian History. Running from September 10, 2024 to May 17, 2025, this first-of-its-kind showcase uncovers 300 years of Maine’s rich and influential vegetarian past. From activist newspapers and corporate innovations to the back-to-the-land movement, this exhibition reveals how Mainers helped shape vegetarianism as we know it today.

Grahamism and Social Justice

The roots of American vegetarianism stretch back to the early 19th century, when the movement, known as Grahamism, was led by Sylvester Graham, a prominent temperance lecturer. Graham’s visit to Portland in 1834 sparked a riot at the Temple Street Church, as he boldly connected nutrition to social justice—an idea that still resonates today. Visitors will see how Maine residents were early adopters of vegetarianism, publishing books and spreading the word about its health benefits.

Innovations that Changed the Nation’s Diet

Maine’s contribution to the vegetarian movement didn’t stop at activism. In the 1850s, the state pioneered food processing innovations that brought canned and packaged vegetables, peanut butter, breakfast cereals, and plant-based meats to households across the country. These inventions made vegetarian foods accessible to all lifestyles, a legacy that continues today.

The Legacy of Ellen G. White and the Nearings

Maine’s vegetarian history also highlights Ellen G. White, a prophet and founder of the Seventh-day Adventist church, whose vision in 1863 identified plant-based foods as ideal for humans. Fast forward to the 1970s, and Maine became a haven for vegetarians, thanks to Scott and Helen Nearing’s Living the Good Life, which drew people to study at The Good Life Center.

Co-curated by Avery Yale Kamila, a noted vegetarian history researcher, and John Babin, this exhibition offers a compelling look at Maine’s vegetarian and plant-based heritage. Don’t miss the chance to explore this untold story and pick up the companion booklet of essays available at the Maine Historical Society museum store.

For more information on the Maine Historical Society, visit MaineHistory.org.