Portland Exposition Building: Difference between revisions

Portland Exposition Building
The Expo
	An NBA G League game at The Expo in 2011
	Portland Exposition Building Location within Maine Portland Exposition Building Location within the United States
Location	Portland, Maine
Coordinates	43°39′23″N 70°16′38″W / 43.65640°N 70.27730°W
Owner	City of Portland
Operator	Portland Parks & Recreation
Capacity	3,000
Construction
Opened	June 7, 1915
Construction cost	$80,944
Architect	Frederick A. Tompson
Tenants
	Portland Bulldogs (PPS); Maine Roller Derby (WFTDA; 2008–present); Maine Celtics (NBAGL; 2009–present)
Website
	www.portlandmaine.gov/1164/James-A-Banks-Sr-Portland-Exposition-Bui

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Latest revision as of 01:43, 4 October 2024

The Portland Exposition Building, also known as The Expo, is a sports and convention center building complex in Portland, Maine.^[1] Much expanded since the original building was constructed in 1914, the complex now includes five inter-connected buildings with 24,000 square feet of exhibition space and ten meeting rooms. It is adjacent to the Hadlock Field and the Portland Ice Arena.

Phish, Ani Difranco, Natalie Merchant, The Monkees, and Rusted Root have played at the venue.^[2] It has also hosted trade shows and celebrations.^[2] It has been used for the Maine Red Claws basketball team, Portland High School Bulldogs basketball games, and indoor track events. In 2007, the Expo became the home of Maine Roller Derby. Locker rooms for Fitzpatrick Stadium and the visiting clubhouse for Hadlock Field.

History

The Portland Exposition Building was designed by Frederick A. Tompson and was built in 1914 at a cost of $80,944. It is the second-oldest arena in continuous operation in the United States (behind Matthews Arena in Boston).^{[citation needed]}

The building was considered a sophisticated facility sure to "put Portland on the map". Its grand opening—a major agricultural show on June 7, 1915, for which the local daily newspaper dedicated the entire front page to covering the event.^{[citation needed]}

In addition to the first-floor arena, the basement level featured the Cafe Dumont. "The Cafe D" was a full-service nightspot which offered "Top international entertainment in a classy nightclub atmosphere."^{[citation needed]}

In September 2007, Maine Roller Derby began hosting flat-track roller derby bouts, with opponents traveling from Montreal, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.^[3] The season runs from late April through November, with most bouts occurring April–June.

In 2008, a group of local businesspeople signed a deal to bring an NBA Development League team to the Expo, as well as to renovate the arena's facilities.^[4]^[5] It was confirmed, and the Expo Building is home to the Maine Red Claws, beginning play for the 2009–10 season.^[6]

Notable events and visitors

Over the years, many notable figures have appeared at the Expo, including Babe Ruth, Rudolph Valentino, Rocky Marciano, presidents John F. Kennedy^[7]^[8] and Barack Obama,^[9]^[10] and Paavo Nurmi. It has hosted significant performances, including the first East Coast concert of the Beach Boys (1963), James Brown, Dolly Parton, Janis Joplin, Queen (1974), the 60th Anniversary Ball of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, world championship kickboxing, and gala banquets for the Senior's Pro Golf Tournaments featuring Arnold Palmer and Gary Player.

References

^ "Convention Centers.org "Portland Maine Convention Center"". July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
^ ^a ^b "Portland Exposition Building, Portland, ME | Meetings in Maine". Archived from the original on 2013-12-24. Retrieved 2014-01-07.
^ Maine Roller Derby
^ Portland could get pro hoops franchise^{[permanent dead link‍]} by Jenn Menendez, Portland Press Herald, 24 January, 2008.
^ NBDL team for Portland, Barre Montpelier Times Argus, 9 April, 2008.
^ http://www.nba.com/dleague/maine/ NBA Development League Expands to Portland, Maine.
^ Captain, The. "JFK Files: JFK Visits To Maine". 102.9 WBLM. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
^ Writer, Christian MilNeilStaff (2013-11-16). "Flashback: John F. Kennedy's 1960 visit to Portland". Press Herald. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
^ Bucklin, Kate (2010-04-01). "Obama touts health-care reform benefits in crowd-pleasing speech at Portland Expo". Press Herald. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
^ "President Obama in Portland, Maine". The White House. Retrieved 2024-05-11.

External links

Portland Exposition Building

[1] "Convention Centers.org "Portland Maine Convention Center"". July 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2013.

[visit-2] "Portland Exposition Building, Portland, ME | Meetings in Maine". Archived from the original on 2013-12-24. Retrieved 2014-01-07.

[3] Maine Roller Derby

[4] Portland could get pro hoops franchise^{[permanent dead link‍]} by Jenn Menendez, Portland Press Herald, 24 January, 2008.

[5] NBDL team for Portland, Barre Montpelier Times Argus, 9 April, 2008.

[6] ttp://www.nba.com/dleague/maine/ NBA Development League Expands to Portland, Maine.

[7] Captain, The. "JFK Files: JFK Visits To Maine". 102.9 WBLM. Retrieved 2019-07-25.

[8] Writer, Christian MilNeilStaff (2013-11-16). "Flashback: John F. Kennedy's 1960 visit to Portland". Press Herald. Retrieved 2019-07-25.

[9] Bucklin, Kate (2010-04-01). "Obama touts health-care reform benefits in crowd-pleasing speech at Portland Expo". Press Herald. Retrieved 2019-07-25.

[10] "President Obama in Portland, Maine". The White House. Retrieved 2024-05-11.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Convention center in Portland, Maine}}
 {{Multiple issues|
 {{original research|date=June 2018}}
 {{more citations needed|date=October 2019}}
 }}
 {{Infobox venue
 | name = Portland Exposition Building
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 | expanded =
 | owner = [[Portland, Maine|City of Portland]]
-| operator = [[Portland Parks & Recreation (Maine)|Portland Parks & Recreation]]
+| operator = Portland Parks & Recreation
 | surface =
 | scoreboard =
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 | dimensions =
 | volume =
-| tenants = [[Portland High School (Maine)|Portland Bulldogs]] ([[Portland Public Schools (Maine)|PPS]])<br />[[Maine Roller Derby]] ([[Women's Flat Track Derby Association|WFTDA]]; 2008–present)<br />[[Maine Celtics]]  ([[NBA G League]]; 2009–present)
+| tenants = [[Portland High School (Maine)|Portland Bulldogs]] ([[Portland Public Schools (Maine)|PPS]])<br />[[Maine Roller Derby]] ([[Women's Flat Track Derby Association|WFTDA]]; 2008–present)<br />[[Maine Celtics]]  ([[NBA G League|NBAGL]]; 2009–present)
-| website = {{URL|portlandmaine.gov/575/Portland-Exposition-Building}}
+| website = {{URL|https://www.portlandmaine.gov/1164/James-A-Banks-Sr-Portland-Exposition-Bui}}
 | publictransit =
 }}
-The '''Portland Exposition Building''', also known as '''The Expo''', is a sports and exhibition venue ([[convention center]]) building complex in [[Portland, Maine|Portland]], [[Maine]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Convention Centers.org "Portland Maine Convention Center"|url=http://www.conventioncenter.org/portland-maine.html|access-date=10 July 2013|date=July 2013}}</ref> The complex includes five inter-connected buildings with 24,000 square feet of exhibition space and 10 meeting rooms. It is adjacent to the [[Hadlock Field]] and the [[Portland Ice Arena (Maine)|Portland Ice Arena]].
+The '''Portland Exposition Building''', also known as '''The Expo''', is a sports and [[convention center]] building complex in [[Portland, Maine|Portland]], [[Maine]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Convention Centers.org "Portland Maine Convention Center"|url=http://www.conventioncenter.org/portland-maine.html|access-date=10 July 2013|date=July 2013}}</ref> Much expanded since the original building was constructed in 1914, the complex now includes five inter-connected buildings with 24,000 square feet of exhibition space and ten meeting rooms. It is adjacent to the [[Hadlock Field]] and the [[Portland Ice Arena (Maine)|Portland Ice Arena]].
-[[Phish]], [[Ani Difranco]], [[Natalie Merchant]], [[The Monkees]], and [[Rusted Root]] have played at the venue.<ref name=visit>http://www.visitportland.com/portland-exposition-building-portland-maine-mpa3-c0007.aspx {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> It has also hosted trade shows and celebrations.<ref name=visit/> It has been used for the [[Maine Red Claws]] basketball team, [[Portland High School (Portland, Maine)|Portland High School]] Bulldogs basketball games, and indoor track events. In 2007, the Expo became the home of Maine Roller Derby. Locker rooms for [[Fitzpatrick Stadium]], the visiting clubhouse for [[Hadlock Field]] as well as the Portland High School locker rooms are located downstairs.
+[[Phish]], [[Ani Difranco]], [[Natalie Merchant]], [[The Monkees]], and [[Rusted Root]] have played at the venue.<ref name=visit>{{Cite web |url=http://www.visitportland.com/portland-exposition-building-portland-maine-mpa3-c0007.aspx |title=Portland Exposition Building, Portland, ME &#124; Meetings in Maine |access-date=2014-01-07 |archive-date=2013-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224123039/http://www.visitportland.com/portland-exposition-building-portland-maine-mpa3-c0007.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> It has also hosted trade shows and celebrations.<ref name=visit/> It has been used for the [[Maine Red Claws]] basketball team, [[Portland High School (Portland, Maine)|Portland High School]] Bulldogs basketball games, and indoor track events. In 2007, the Expo became the home of Maine Roller Derby. Locker rooms for [[Fitzpatrick Stadium]] and the visiting clubhouse for Hadlock Field.
-Home to over 270 events per year, the Portland Exposition Building hosts trade shows, concerts, sporting events, conferences, civic meetings, brew fests, High school indoor track meets, ski shows and other special events. Nearly 600,000 patrons pass through the Expo's turnstile each year.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}
 ==History==
 [[File:Sea Dogs vs. RubberDucks - August 16, 2015 crop.png|left|thumb|220px|An August 2015 [[baseball]] game at [[Hadlock Field]] with the Portland Exposition Building in the background.]]
-The Portland Exposition Building was designed by [[Frederick A. Tompson]] and was built in 1914 at a cost of $80,944. It is the second oldest arena in continuous operation in the [[United States]] (behind [[Matthews Arena]] in [[Boston, Massachusetts]]).{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}
+The Portland Exposition Building was designed by [[Frederick A. Tompson]] and was built in 1914 at a cost of $80,944. It is the second-oldest arena in continuous operation in the United States (behind [[Matthews Arena]] in [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]]).{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}
-The building was considered a sophisticated facility sure to "put Portland on the map". Its grand opening—a major agricultural show on June 7, 1915 in which the local daily newspaper dedicated the entire front page to covering the event.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}
+The building was considered a sophisticated facility sure to "put Portland on the map". Its grand opening—a major agricultural show on June 7, 1915, for which the local daily newspaper dedicated the entire front page to covering the event.{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}
-In addition to the cavernous first floor arena, the basement level featured the Cafe Dumont. "The Cafe D" was a full service nightspot that offered "Top international entertainment in a classy nightclub atmosphere."{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}
+In addition to the first-floor arena, the basement level featured the Cafe Dumont. "The Cafe D" was a full-service nightspot which offered "Top international entertainment in a classy nightclub atmosphere."{{citation needed|date=June 2018}}
 In September 2007, [[Maine Roller Derby]] began hosting flat-track roller derby bouts, with opponents traveling from Montreal, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut.<ref>[http://www.mainerollerderby.com Maine Roller Derby]</ref> The season runs from late April through November, with most bouts occurring April–June.
-In 2008, a group of local business people signed a deal to bring an [[NBA Development League]] team to the Portland Exposition Building as well as to renovate the arena's facilities.<ref>[http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=164609&ac=PHnws Portland could get pro hoops franchise]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} by Jenn Menendez, ''[[Portland Press Herald]]'', 24&nbsp;January, 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080409/SPORTS/804090309/1004/SPORTS NBDL team for Portland], ''[[Barre Montpelier Times Argus]]'', 9&nbsp;April, 2008.</ref> It was confirmed, and the Expo Building is home to the [[Maine Red Claws]], beginning play for the 2009–10 season.<ref>http://www.nba.com/dleague/maine/ NBA Development League Expands to Portland, Maine.</ref>
+In 2008, a group of local businesspeople signed a deal to bring an [[NBA Development League]] team to the Expo, as well as to renovate the arena's facilities.<ref>[http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=164609&ac=PHnws Portland could get pro hoops franchise]{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} by Jenn Menendez, ''[[Portland Press Herald]]'', 24&nbsp;January, 2008.</ref><ref>[http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080409/SPORTS/804090309/1004/SPORTS NBDL team for Portland], ''[[Barre Montpelier Times Argus]]'', 9&nbsp;April, 2008.</ref> It was confirmed, and the Expo Building is home to the [[Maine Red Claws]], beginning play for the 2009–10 season.<ref>http://www.nba.com/dleague/maine/ NBA Development League Expands to Portland, Maine.</ref>
 == Notable events and visitors ==
-Over the years, many notable figures have appeared at the Expo, including [[Babe Ruth]], [[Rudolph Valentino]], [[Rocky Marciano]], President [[John F. Kennedy]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wblm.com/jfk-files-jfk-spoke-in-maine-a-month-before-he-was-killed/|title=JFK Files: JFK Visits To Maine|last=Captain|first=The|website=102.9 WBLM|language=en|access-date=2019-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressherald.com/2013/11/16/flashback-john-f-kennedys-1960-visit-to-portland/|title=Flashback: John F. Kennedy's 1960 visit to Portland|last=Writer|first=Christian MilNeilStaff|date=2013-11-16|website=Press Herald|access-date=2019-07-25}}</ref> President [[Barack Obama]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressherald.com/2010/04/01/obama-touts-health-care-reform-benefits-in-crowd-pleasing-speech-at-portland-expo/|title=Obama touts health-care reform benefits in crowd-pleasing speech at Portland Expo|last=Bucklin|first=Kate|date=2010-04-01|website=Press Herald|access-date=2019-07-25}}</ref> and [[Paavo Nurmi]]. It has hosted significant performances including the first East Coast concert of the [[Beach Boys]] (1963), [[James Brown]], [[Dolly Parton]], [[Janis Joplin]], [[Queen (band)|Queen]] (1974), the 60th Anniversary Ball of the [[Portland Symphony Orchestra]], world championship kickboxing, and gala banquets for the Senior's Pro Golf Tournaments featuring [[Arnold Palmer]] and [[Gary Player]].
+Over the years, many notable figures have appeared at the Expo, including [[Babe Ruth]], [[Rudolph Valentino]], [[Rocky Marciano]], presidents [[John F. Kennedy]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wblm.com/jfk-files-jfk-spoke-in-maine-a-month-before-he-was-killed/|title=JFK Files: JFK Visits To Maine|last=Captain|first=The|website=102.9 WBLM|language=en|access-date=2019-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressherald.com/2013/11/16/flashback-john-f-kennedys-1960-visit-to-portland/|title=Flashback: John F. Kennedy's 1960 visit to Portland|last=Writer|first=Christian MilNeilStaff|date=2013-11-16|website=Press Herald|access-date=2019-07-25}}</ref> and [[Barack Obama]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressherald.com/2010/04/01/obama-touts-health-care-reform-benefits-in-crowd-pleasing-speech-at-portland-expo/|title=Obama touts health-care reform benefits in crowd-pleasing speech at Portland Expo|last=Bucklin|first=Kate|date=2010-04-01|website=Press Herald|access-date=2019-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=President Obama in Portland, Maine |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/node/10499 |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=The White House |language=en}}</ref> and [[Paavo Nurmi]]. It has hosted significant performances, including the first East Coast concert of the [[Beach Boys]] (1963), [[James Brown]], [[Dolly Parton]], [[Janis Joplin]], [[Queen (band)|Queen]] (1974), the 60th Anniversary Ball of the [[Portland Symphony Orchestra]], world championship kickboxing, and gala banquets for the Senior's Pro Golf Tournaments featuring [[Arnold Palmer]] and [[Gary Player]].
 ==See also==
@@ Line 73: / Line 71: @@
 == External links ==
-*[http://www.portlandevents.com/expo.asp Portland Exposition Building]
+*[https://www.portlandmaine.gov/1164/James-A-Banks-Sr-Portland-Exposition-Bui Portland Exposition Building]
-*https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/photos-and-video/photos/president-obama-portland-maine
 {{D-League Arenas}}
 {{Music venues of Maine}}
+{{Authority control}}
 [[Category:Basketball venues in Maine]]
-[[Category:Maine Red Claws]]
+[[Category:Maine Celtics]]
 [[Category:Music venues in Portland, Maine]]
 [[Category:NBA G League venues]]
 [[Category:Sports venues in Portland, Maine]]
 [[Category:Sports venues completed in 1914]]
+[[Category:1914 establishments in Maine]]
+[[Category:20th century in Portland, Maine]]

v t e NBA G League arenas
Eastern Conference	Chase Fieldhouse (Wilmington, DE) Entertainment and Sports Arena (Washington, DC) Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN) Gateway Center Arena (College Park, GA) Legacy Arena (Birmingham, AL) Nassau Coliseum (Uniondale, NY) Novant Health Fieldhouse at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex (Greensboro, NC) Now Arena (Hoffman Estates, IL) Oshkosh Arena (Oshkosh, WI) Paramount Fine Foods Centre (Mississauga, ON) Portland Exposition Building (Portland, ME) Public Auditorium (Cleveland, OH) Silver Spurs Arena (Kissimmee, FL) Van Andel Arena (Grand Rapids, MI) Wayne State Fieldhouse (Detroit, MI) Westchester County Center (White Plains, NY)
Western Conference	Adventist Health Arena (Stockton, CA) Bert Ogden Arena (Edinburg, TX) Chiles Center (Portland, OR) Comerica Center (Frisco, TX) Frontwave Arena (Oceanside, CA) H-E-B Center at Cedar Park (Cedar Park, TX) Kaiser Permanente Arena (Santa Cruz, CA) Landers Center (Southaven, MS) Maverik Center (West Valley City, UT) Mexico City Arena (Mexico City, CDMX) Mullett Arena (Tempe, AZ) Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, OK) Sanford Pentagon (Sioux Falls, SD) UCLA Health Training Center (El Segundo, CA) Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines, IA)
Future arenas	Noblesville Event Center (Noblesville, IN)

v t e Music venues of Maine
Outdoor	Maine Savings Amphitheater Maine State Pier Thompson's Point
Theaters and clubs	Aura Collins Center for the Arts Maine State Music Theater Merrill Auditorium One Longfellow Square Portland House of Music and Events Port City Music Hall State Theatre
Arenas	Alfond Arena Androscoggin Bank Colisée Augusta Civic Auditorium Cross Insurance Arena Cross Insurance Center Portland Exposition Building
Festivals	American Folk Festival Bowdoin International Music Festival KahBang Music and Art Festival Sunaana