2024 Annual Meeting

General Session Presentations

The following educational sessions will be presented on Thursday, October 17th. The general sessions will provide at least three hours of continuing education credit.

Events & Activities

A full meeting schedule that includes committee meetings will be posted soon.

Happy Hour – Sponsored by Colby Co. Engineering

Colby Co. Engineering is pleased to sponsor a cocktail reception for attendees and guests of The Masonry Society during the annual meeting in Portland, Maine. We hope you can join us for beverages and hors d’oeuvres on Wednesday, October 16th from 5:15-6:45 PM at the historic U.S. Custom House.

This Happy Hour has a separate registration deadline. Please register and RSVP for this event by Thursday, September 12th. Attendance is capped at 115.

The U.S. Custom House is just a two minute walk around the corner from the Regency Hotel. The Custom House was designed and built following a devastating fire in 1866 which destroyed 1,800 buildings in Portland. Constructed of fireproof materials including New Hampshire granite with a slate-shingle hipped roof, the Custom House opened in 1872. There have been a few minor changes to the Custom House over the years, but the original ornate details and rich materials remain preserved. The Custom House is only open to the public for private tours and events so this is a wonderful opportunity to socialize and see one of Portland’s grandest halls, we hope to see you there!

Meeting Sponsorship

Portland Regency Spa and Hotel

The Portland Regency Hotel & Spa is located in the Old Port District of Portland, a historic area in Portland, Maine, known for its cobblestone streets, 19th-century brick buildings, fishing piers, and views of the Fore River.

Located two blocks from Portland’s working waterfront at 20 Milk Street, the Portland Regency Hotel and Spa is the centerpiece of historic Old Port.

This neo-classic Armory was built in 1895 at a cost of $20,000.00 for Maine’s National Guard. Once regarded as one of the finest and best equipped armories in New England and after many years of use by various government entities, the Portland Regency Hotel opened in 1987. In 1990 as recognition for its preservation of a historically significant building and its superior service, the Portland Regency was invited by the National Trust of Historic Preservation to become a distinguished member of the Historic Hotels of America.

In August of 2003 the Portland Regency Hotel was proud to become the Portland Regency Hotel & Spa; the Regency is the only hotel in downtown Portland to have its own fitness center and full day spa. Read more about the history of the hotel.

About Portland

Portland, Maine is being hailed as one of the trendiest cities in the US according to theDiscovery.com. And no wonder. With its rich cultural heritage, incredible natural beauty, a plethora of local artisans, and the robust local food scene, Portland offers something to appeal to almost everyone.

The peninsula was first colonized by the English in 1632 as a fishing and trading village named Casco. After, the Massachusetts Bay Colony purchased it in 1658, they changed the name to Falmouth. The name was changed to Portland in 1786 when a particular area of Falmouth, known as The Neck, was reborn as a commercial seaport. As an ice-free seaport, Portland served as an early shipping gateway to Canada for many years and a rail line was built to transport goods between Montreal and Portland.

The city seal depicts a phoenix rising from ashes, a reference to Portland’s recovery from four devastating fires. Portland was burned twice during the French & Indian Wars, in 1775 by the British, and again in the Great Fire of 1866, on the 4^th of July. After the 1866 fire, the city was rebuilt of mainly masonry materials, including locally quarried stone and locally produced brick. Brick making has been a major industry in Maine since the mid-19^th century, with many yards operating in the Lewiston-Auburn and Greater Portland area. In 1880, Maine produced roughly 4.5 million bricks. With the introduction of machinery just a few years later, 93 million bricks could be made each year. Between 1855 and the present, nearly 40 different companies produced bricks in the region. Large, destructive fires were common elsewhere and cities such as Boston, New York City, and Baltimore all chose Maine brick for their rebuilding efforts. Maine brick also supplied the needs of European builders to some extent. Savior of the 1866 Great Fire, architect George M. Harding and Francis H. Fasset, another prominent Portland architect, are largely responsible for rebuilding the Old Port and giving it the look and feel people experience today.

Visitors to the Greater Portland region will find more than enough to explore without ever leaving the peninsula. Though smaller than some of its east coast rivals, this little city has a world-class dining scene, a truly magnificent art museum, and plenty of places to enjoy the scenic rocky coast. The city maintains much of its 19th century architecture. Portland has retained much of the flavor and character of the trading and fishing settlement it has had since it was first established. Today, visitors will find a working waterfront where fishing and tour boats arrive and depart, mingled with a sophisticated urban center

Things to do in Portland

Hop On Hop Off Bus – A convenient, inexpensive opportunity to explore the Eastern Promenade, Historic Downtown District, Art’s District, and Top of the Old Port, the City Loop Jitney operates when larger cruise ships visit. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or anytime at the Visitor Information Center at the Ocean Gateway Terminal.

Thanks to TMS Member and local resident, Heather Sustersic, for some of the suggestions offered here.

1.  Portland Observatory – An awesome history and masonry building! In 1807 Captain Lemuel Moody ordered construction of this octagonal, 86-foot-high tower on Munjoy Hill to serve as a communication station for Portland’s bustling harbor. It was a commercial venture designed to give a competitive edge to ship owners who paid Moody a yearly subscription fee to alert them when their ships were arriving. At the time, ships entering the harbor could not be seen from the docks of Portland until they rounded the point of land at Spring Point Ledge and were almost in the harbor. This signal tower communication greatly increased the efficiency of Portland Harbor. The Observatory remained a working marine signal tower run by the Moody family until 1923 when the invention of the two-way radio made it obsolete. The Portland Observatory is the only remaining historic maritime signal station in the United States. This landmark is operated by Greater Portland Landmarks. Not only is the Observatory listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is also listed on ASCE’s Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Program. Both guided and self-guided tours are available.
2. Tours – There are many walking tours available in Portland. They cover everything from history and landmarks, culinary, craft beers, etc. Try  the Historical Society, Portland Maine Walking Tours, and Maine Ventures for some ideas.
3. Harbor –There may not be a more beautiful way to see Maine than from the water. Lobster shacks, seals, sandy beaches, sea breezes, tall ships, are all classic New England sights. Casco Bay Lines have several options for boat adventures that are a short walk away from the Regency – the Mail Boat run is a local favorite, and has plenty of enclosed space if the weather is cool/wet. The Casablanca Cruise run by the Porthole and Maine Sailing Adventures, are just some of the companies offering sea experiences.

4. Portland Museum of Art – The Portland Museum of Art, or PMA, is the largest and oldest public art institution in Maine. Founded as the Portland Society of Art in 1882. It is in the downtown area known as The Arts District. Although smaller than many big city museums, it is a truly magnificent art museum. For a calendar of events, click here.

5. Shopping, Restaurants, and Craft Breweries– Although farm to table has always been a hallmark of the local food scene, Portland is now well known as a “foodie” city. From lobster rolls, donuts, local hidden gems, and high-end dining, you can experience it all in Portland. Greater Portland has the highest rate of breweries per capita than any other city in the country. Most are located in a nearby area, close to the Regency, and brew their wares onsite. It’s easy to see why so many like to shop in Portland – from flannel clothing and maple candy to Sea Bags made from recycled sails, you can unearth unique Maine goods while strolling through cobble stone streets with a treasure trove of public art, murals, statues, and sculpture celebrating the region’s history. Shop like a local and check out one of the year-round farmers markets.