History on My Shelf and In My Backyard: Frances Perkins

One of two books I've read this summer with Maine as a connected setting is Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray. The story is more character and story driven rather than focused on place. However, the historical nature of the book highlights a local-to-me place that I was glad to finally visit after reading the book. 

Becoming Madam Secretary was a fabulous read about Frances Perkins, the first woman to sit in a presidential cabinet as the Secretary of Labor for Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This is in the vein of many historical character-driven stories that are being dug out of the history books and fleshed out by creative and research-driven authors. It was a fascinating and worthwhile read. Much can be said about Ms. Perkins and her contributions to labor relations, length of work days and weeks, and social security. She had quite an influential career and not just at the federal level. She cut her teeth working at Hull House in Chicago and in Hell's Kitchen in New York City and for the city and New York state. This book also delves into her personal life, her marriage and her relationship with her daughter, which was not easy to balance with the demands of a job tied to the White House as well as friendships that influenced and supported her during her career. She paved a solid path for women in politics, and she knew she had much to prove. 

The Maine connection is that her grandparents lived in Newcastle, a small rural town in Lincoln County that sits in from the immediate coast along the Damariscotta River. The Perkins Homestead is still standing and has a vibrant new destination by President Biden in 2024 as a National Monument. 

Back view of homestead

It has been a historic site for some time, but since reading the book and the site's designation as a National Monument, the home and grounds have been getting a bit more attention. I attended the open house earlier this season, and while the brick colonial is currently closed to visitors, the barn and grounds are open. The barn, built in 1837, has a self-guided tour display about the Perkins family, their history on the 57 acres along the Damariscotta River, and highlights of Frances' career. As FDR's secretary of labor she is credited with many helping to start programs, laws, and policies we take for granted, such as social security, the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Fair Labor Standards Act, anti-child labor laws, minimum wage, and more. The barn also has antique farm implements on display, and a fun full-size cutout of Ms. Perkins as a fun photo spot. We noticed children's activities at a table during our visit. There are gardens and a walking trail through fields and woods to the shoreline. At trail's end we found remnants of brick, presumably leftover from the Perkins' brickmaking enterprise. The trail map marks foundations from 18th-century buildings, remnants of a garrison built for neighborhood protection during the years of the French and Indian War, a clay pit, and the brickyard site. 

The view encompasses
an oyster farm,
 a new staple of the area.

While the house is currently closed, we found the self-guided tour in the barn to be interesting, and the trail is wide and an easy walk. 

I recommend the book especially for those with an interest in women's or labor history and U.S. historical fiction. Maine does not figure into the story much, but it is mentioned as where Frances would come in summers as a child to spend time with her grandparents and that she really considered it home. The family influence and affection for Maine was mentioned throughout. We learned at the barn that her parents also lived at the homestead for a time until they moved to Massachusetts to start a business. 

The Frances Perkins Homestead is an easy way to get a history lesson, take a walk, and enjoy Maine. The book is a great addition to your to-be-read list.