In 1815, the Maine Charitable Mechanic Association was the fellowship for Portland’s creative community: the blacksmiths, coopers, carpenters, and more. Between 1857 and 1859, they built Mechanics’ Hall to house their library and become a communal gathering space. Today’s Mechanics’ Hall connects to that rich history by inspiring and enriching the community while promoting ingenuity, creativity, innovation and the diffusion of useful knowledge.
We are the modern mechanics. Join us.
Mechanics’ Hall Covid Safety Policy
Please note our in-person Covid safety policies: To ensure the safety of our staff, guests, and community, and under the direction of our Board, Mechanics’ Hall requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (or an appropriately time-stamped negative COVID-19 test) for all persons attending our events until further notice. All persons must masked for the duration of their time in the Hall, regardless of vaccination status in accordance with our current Masking Policies. This decision was made to help keep our community safe and our doors open. Please see our programming page for more details, or email us at info@mainemechanics.org
Meet our new librarian Julie!
Mechanics’ Hall has hired our new librarian. We would like to welcome Julie Olson (you can also call her Jules). Olson comes to Mechanics’ with a wealth of experience in library sciences, collection development, public programs and more. She has long been a maker, performer, and teacher. More specifically, she is a weaver, musician, mixed media artist, and not surprisingly, a voracious reader.
Welcome Jules! We can’t wait to see what you will do at Mechanics’ Hall.
Upcoming Events
Program funding has been provided by The Maine Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act economic stabilization plan of 2020.
Get involved!
Join as a member or donate to support our library, year-round programming and help restore our historic building.