Step into history and creativity this month at the Press Hotel’s annual Love Letters to Portland event, a heartfelt celebration inspired by the Gannett Building’s storied past. Built in 1923, the building was once the bustling headquarters of the Portland Press Herald, housing newsrooms, printing presses, and editorial offices. For decades, it was the epicenter of Maine’s journalism, shaping the stories that connected the state. After the newspaper relocated in 2010, the building found new life as the Press Hotel, opening in 2015 as a boutique destination that honors its roots with vintage typewriters, printing motifs, and a distinctly Portland vibe.
Now marking its 10th anniversary, the Press Hotel invites Portland to embrace the building's legacy of words and storytelling. Throughout February, visitors can stop by the lobby to craft their own love letters (or any kind of letter) using vintage typewriters. On Thursday, February 13, from 5 to 8 p.m., Rockland-based typewriter poet Katherine Ferrier will be on-site creating personalized poems. Share a few details with her, enjoy a drink at the Inkwell Lounge, or play a game in the lobby while Ferrier types a custom poem just for you in minutes. It’s the perfect way to honor the city's past while celebrating its creative present.