The Portland Society for Natural History (PSNH) was a carefully-guarded club where members were vetted prior to joining. Members received forms like this one upon being accepted into the Society, demonstrating their status in the community.

The PSNH mirrored the class, race and gender divisions of society, with wealthy White men making up the majority of membership. The PSNH’s museum and library on Elm Street was open to the public for free on Tuesdays and Saturdays to anyone who wished to enter, demonstrating their commitment to education.