Maine’s Hail to the Chief: A History of Presidential Visits to the Pine Tree State

A visit from the President of the United States always brings with it excitement. In Maine, perhaps part of that excitement stems from the fact that presidents rarely visit the state-only 18 of the 45 presidents have visited Maine in the nation’s 244-year history.

Many of these visits came at significant points in a presidency; and some visits had controversy, conflict, and ironic twists. For example:

* During George Washington’s visit, Maine was not even Maine, it was part of Massachusetts.

* President Ulysses S. Grant was the hero of the recently ended Civil War.

* President Richard Nixon was met with protests that saw Mainer battle Mainer.

* President Carter spent the night of his visit with a common, ordinary Maine family, in their modest home.

* President Trump’s visit came in the middle of a global pandemic.

Each of Maine’s presidential visits left us with great stories, and a detailed view of Maine’s lively history.