ELLSWORTH — Heart of Ellsworth has released a limited-edition historic postcard puzzle in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary, featuring a rare 1910 image of Main Street decorated in patriotic bunting.
The 500-piece puzzle, measuring 18 by 24 inches when complete, features Main Street during an extended Fourth of July celebration connected to President William Howard Taft’s visit to Ellsworth. The image looks from the Union River up toward High Street and captures buildings later destroyed in the fire of 1933, making it one of the few surviving views of Main Street from that period.
The project connects Ellsworth’s local history to the national America 250 commemoration. Through the puzzle, Heart of Ellsworth is bringing this historic view back into community life as a hands-on keepsake that invites residents, visitors and history lovers to spend time with a piece of Ellsworth’s past.
The puzzle follows the success of Heart of Ellsworth’s sold-out limited-edition Ellsworth “The Friendly City” puzzle. After sorting through many historic images for a new design, the organization selected the 1910 postcard from local archives for its visual connection to the nation’s anniversary and its personal connection to Ellsworth’s past. Ellsworth Public Library and Ellsworth Historical Society were key partners in helping the organization access and share the image.
“When this postcard surfaced, with Main Street dressed in the unmistakable colors of red, white and blue, it felt like the right image to recognize America’s 250th anniversary through an Ellsworth lens,” Chesnee Barney, assistant director of Heart of Ellsworth, said. “It reminds us that history is not only about buildings and dates. It is about people, place and the Union River connecting Ellsworth to the wider world more than 100 years ago.”
The story continues on the back of the postcard as the project draws attention to the original handwritten message. Each puzzle includes a postcard-style insert showing the real reverse side
and the reality it brings to Ellsworth’s history as a working river city.
The puzzle builds on Heart of Ellsworth’s ongoing work to celebrate and protect downtown’s historic character while supporting a vibrant and welcoming Main Street district. As an accredited Main Street America program, Heart of Ellsworth works through local partnerships, volunteer committees, events, programs, and community development initiatives to keep downtown Ellsworth connected to both its past and its future.
Puzzles are available online through Heart of Ellsworth’s store at a special presale price of $29.99 through July 31. After the presale period, puzzles will be sold for $34.99 online and through select downtown businesses, while supplies last.
Proceeds support Heart of Ellsworth’s work to keep downtown Ellsworth vibrant, welcoming, and connected.
For more information or to order, visit heartofellsworth.org/store.
Heart of Ellsworth is a nationally accredited Main Street America 501(3)c organization dedicated to fostering a vibrant downtown through economic development, arts and culture, historic preservation, outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship, and community engagement. Through collaborative initiatives and community-driven programming, Heart of Ellsworth works to strengthen downtown Ellsworth as a thriving place to live, work, visit, and invest. For more information, visit https://heartofellsworth.org or contact Heart of Ellsworth’s Assistant Director, Barney, at chesnee@heartofellsworth.org.