Abyssinian Meeting House
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The Abyssinian Meeting House was constructed by free blacks who came together to seek opportunity and refuge.
The Abyssinian Restoration Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration of the third oldest African American meeting house in the country and promoting the cultural heritage of African-Americans in Maine. The Meeting House became the cultural center of the community. Meetings, church services, concerts, a segregated public school, dinners and entertainment made the Abyssinian the center of political and social life which united the community throughout the 19th century. Its members and preachers included former enslaved people, leaders of the Underground Railroad movement and outspoken advocates for the abolition of slavery in the United States. The Meeting House closed in 1917 and was remodeled in 1924 as tenement apartments. Eventually the City of Portland seized the building for unpaid taxes. The building sat vacant and deteriorating, nearly forgotten, until community leaders founded the Committee to Restore the Abyssinian and purchased the building in 1998 from the City.
06/19/2026
Let this day be filled with reflection, thought and a powerful reminder of the Abyssinian's tangible legacy of faith, resistance and the struggle for freedom. We must never forget that freedom is both a gift and a responsibility we carry forward together.
Celebrate Juneteenth 2026 by honoring, remembering
and reflecting on the lives, courage, sacrifices, and enduring strength of our ancestors in this African American community.
Please stop by The
Abyssinian Meeting House, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m today to learn more about how this crown jewel, the artifact and the bricks and mortar of Maine Black history is being preserved.
Happy Juneteenth!
05/11/2026
We have lost a giant.
The formidable Gerald E. Talbot who fought tirelessly for civil and human rights has passed away.
https://www.pressherald.com/2026/05/10/gerald-talbot-civil-rights-leader-and-maines-first-black-legislator-dies-at-94/
02/01/2026
Welcome to Black History Month 2026.
This year’s theme invites reflection on the power of Black history commemorations in shaping identity, fostering pride, and transforming how Black communities see themselves and how the broader public understands their contributions. From early observances such as Jubilee Day, Watch Night, and Juneteenth, to the nationwide recognition of Black History Month.
Tthese commemorations have served as vital tools for education, resistance, and empowerment. theme marks the 100th anniversary of the inaugural celebration launched by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926, celebrating a century of honoring, studying, and preserving Black history and contributions to American society.
Please join us daily , herw of on Facebook as we chose to honor and acknowledge this history.
Black History Month 2026 Trailer We're excited to announce our theme for Black History Month 2026. "Out of Many Cultures, One People." This theme aligns with our culture pillar as we highlight and honour the heritage and diverse cultures of Black people from around the world. If you're interested in sponsorship opportunities, take....
Let freedom ring!
12/02/2025
This Giving Tuesday, we’re investing in a truth that matters now more than ever: Black history is American history.
The Abyssinian Meeting House is a historic African American civic space, but its story, its lessons, and its future belong to all of us. Built by Portland’s early Black community, it has long served as a place for gathering, education, organizing, and shared memory.
Your donation today helps ensure this space remains a public resource for learning, dialogue, and connection for generations to come.
➡️ Give today and help preserve this shared history:
Abyssinian Meeting House Things are looking up! Mission The mission of the Committee to Restore the Abyssinian includes but is not limited to the restoration, historic preservation, and maintenance of the historic building known as the Abyssinian Meeting House, in the city of Portland, State of Maine; and the preservation a...
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P. O. Box 11064
Portland, ME
04104
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