Portland, Maine Observatory Poster

1937 Poster for the Portland Observatory by the Works Progress Administration Maine Art Project. 16" x 24" only. The Portland Observatory was the brainchild of Capt. Lemuel Moody (1768-1846). The former sea captain commissioned its construction in 1807. As a man of the sea and entrepreneur, Moody knew the value of having a clear view of the open ocean beyond the islands of Portland Harbour. By erecting the 86-foot observatory on Munjoy Hill, the highest point in Portland, he was able (with the aid of a state-of-the-art telescope) to see and identify ships up to 30 miles out to sea. Through the use of a sophisticated flagging system, he was able to signal local merchants by raising the appropriate flag that would designate the ship that they were awaiting. The observatory carried on its signalling operations from the time of its construction in 1807 to 1926. During the War of 1812, Civil War, and WWI it was used as an observation post. The Observatory has been owned by the City of Portland since 1936. In 1939, the tower was restored as part of a WPA project. Between 1998 and 2000 a $1.28 million restoration project addressed damage caused by moisture and powder post beetle infestation.