The town of Cumberland seceded from North Yarmouth in 1821, one year after Maine’s secession from Massachusetts. Farming, fishing, shipbuilding, and the carrying trade formed the foundation of the local economy, and Cumberland’s population increased during the period leading up to the Civil War. The industries sustaining coastal Maine underwent dramatic changes during the second half of the 19th century. New opportunities were sought by the community, with chickens and carnations being two of the novel agricultural products that helped the town survive a 35 percent decline in population between 1860 and 1920. Cumberland’s proximity to the state’s largest city created prospects for residents in shipbuilding and other industries in Greater Portland during World War II, and the postwar years saw a gradual transformation of the town into a bedroom community. Today, Cumberland has a school system known for excellence and attracts residents to a rural landscape in close proximity to the amenities and opportunities of the city.
The Cumberland Historical Society (CHS) was founded in 1939 by a group of citizens interested in preserving the history of the town. Carolyn Small, CHS curator and former president, worked for 35 years in the local school system. Thomas C. Bennett is the director of Prince Memorial Library in Cumberland and has a graduate degree in American and New England Studies from the University of Southern Maine.