These historic photos come from the Portland Room collection at the Portland Public Library, where the photographic negatives from the Portland Press Herald, Maine Sunday Telegram and Portland Evening Express are currently being archived and catalogued. In Flashback, we’ll periodically share some of our favorites from this collection, which spans from the 1930s to the 1990s. See more at www.pressherald.com/flashback.

From the Thursday, Nov. 22, 1956 Portland Press Herald, page 26. Original caption: “Preparing for a large holiday dinner group are the family of Dr. Howard R. Ives of Bowdoin St., left to right: Cindy, 4, Mrs. Ives, Rollin, 8, and Sally, 7.” By Staff Photographer Curran.

This photograph from the Saturday, Nov. 22, 1958 edition of the Portland Press Herald, page 3, was taken on Portland’s East End Beach. Original caption: “Costumed Jaycees (members of the Portland Junior Chamber of Commerce) reenact the landing of the Pilgrims on the Maine coast in search of food to take back to the Plymouth colony. Left to right are Bruce C. McGorrill, James E. Demetriou, portraying Squanto; Richard E. Oransky, and O. William Robertson.” By Staff Photographer Olson.

From the Thursday, Nov. 22, 1956 Portland Press Herald, page 6. Original caption: “Principal Rutherford M. Drummond of Falmouth High School, right, turned deliveryman yesterday to aid the Future Homemakers of the school in providing Thanksgiving baskets for the needy of the town. He is aided by Brian Farwell, a senior. Pupils packed the baskets yesterday and Drummond and Mrs. Mary Conroy, home economics teacher, delivered them to protect the identity of the recipients.” By Staff Photographer Morrison.

From the Thursday, Nov. 22, 1956 Portland Press Herald, page 27. Original caption: “Several members of the cast of the Thanksgiving play given yesterday in Butler School are, seated, left to right, Kay Holt, John Huack, Matha Moulton and Patricia Strout. Standing, left to right, Sally Heflin, Joanne McDonough and Deborah Pierce. The play was about Puritan children and characters portrayed included Gov. Bradford, Puritan leaders and Indians.” By Staff Photographer Curran.