Historian Captures Augusta's Victorian Heritage

The mid-1800s proved to be a time of strong Victorian lifestyles and culture in Augusta, Maine. It was during this time that photographer Henry Bailey made a mark in history; he captured these times in stereoscopic images that have now been given by his family and preserved at the Maine Historic Preservation Committee.

In his fourth book with Arcadia Publishing, Maine's state historian Earle Shettleworth presents a view of the world through one man's lens.

Shettleworth hopes the book will "provide a significant visual record of nineteenth century Augusta as well as call attention to the work of one of its skilled photographers, Henry Bailey."

Highlights of Victorian Augusta:

• Reveals numerous unpublished photographs from the Maine Historic Preservation Committee

• Features images of downtown Water Street, the industrial north end, Capitol Park and the Togus veterans home

• Includes snapshots of everyday Victorian life, as well as public buildings, churches and residences.

About the Author of Victorian Augusta:

A native of Portland, Maine, Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr., attended Deering High School, Colby College and Boston University. At the age of thirteen, Shettleworth became interested in historic preservation through the destruction of Portland's Union Station in 1961. A year later he joined the Sills Committee which founded Greater Portland Landmarks in 1964.

In 1971 he was appointed by Governor Curtis to serve on the first board of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, for which he became architectural historian in 1973 and director in 1976. Shettleworth has lectured and written extensively on Maine history and architecture, his most recent publication being Portland in the Arcadia Postcard History Series. He currently serves as chair of the Capitol Planning Commission, the Blaine House Commission and the State House and Capitol Park Commission. In March, 2004, Governor Baldacci appointed Shettleworth as State Historian.

Victorian Augusta is available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com.

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America's people and places. Have we done a book on your town? Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com.