Photo mural chronicling three decades of Portland’s Main Street returns to library

Three Decades of Change. McDougall, Bob 2026

The Portland Public Library and Portland Historical Society have unveiled “Three Decades of Change on Main Street 1995-2005-2015-2025,” a landmark panorama project by artist Bob McDougall.

The exhibit, part of Portland’s America 250 Celebration, features four photographic series. Each series spans 96 feet and consists of 2,400 photographs documenting both the east and west sides of Main Street from the Arrigoni Bridge to Indian Hill Avenue.

McDougall, a lifelong Portland resident and museum director of the Ruth Callander House Museum of Portland History, began the project in 1995 to record the town’s appearance for future generations.

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“The focus is as much on the space between houses as it is on the houses,” McDougall said. “Most old photographs capture the buildings, but few focus on the open space, outbuildings and trees.”

The mural allows viewers to trace the evolution of the two-mile stretch over 30 years. McDougall noted that the idea was sparked by listening to local elders describe locations that had changed significantly over time, making it difficult for younger generations to visualize the past.

“This project is a remarkable gift to our community,” said Library Director Janet Billingsley. “It allows us to see not only how Main Street has changed, but to reflect on how our shared history continues to shape who we are today.”

Historical Society President Susan Bransfield described the work as a “remarkable exhibit loaded with historic and present-day pictures” that celebrates the town’s enduring character.

An exhibit reception will be held at the Portland Library, located at 20 Freestone Ave., on Thursday, June 11, at 6 p.m. The Friends of the Portland Library will sponsor the event, which offers the public an opportunity to meet with McDougall. The mural will remain on display through the months of May and June 2026.

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Photo mural chronicling three decades of Portland’s Main Street returns to library