Yarmouth-based nonprofit Maine Preservation has announced the launch of Drive ME Historic Tours - a series of self-guided road trips showcasing pre-statehood places and people of Maine.

After originally being a part of Massachusetts, Maine became a state in 1820, which made 2020 its 200th anniversary - the celebration of which has had to be delayed until now because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tours are organized by region - the Maine Office of Tourism's 7 tourism regions:

Tours range in length from 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Originally formed in 1970 as the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, Maine Preservation has participated in hundreds of historic preservation and rehabilitation projects involving historic properties throughout Maine.