List of museums in Maine
This list of museums in Maine is a list of museums, defined for this context as institutions (including nonprofit organizations, government entities, and private businesses) that collect and care for objects of cultural, artistic, scientific, or historical interest and make their collections or related exhibits available for public viewing. Non-profit and university art galleries are also included. Museums that exist only in cyberspace (i.e., virtual museums) are not included.
Museums
[edit]
Name | Location | County | Region | Type | Website, Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1811 Lincoln County Museum and Old Jail | Wiscasset | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Prison | Operated by the Lincoln County Historical Association |
Kennebunkport Maritime Museum | Kennebunkport | York | Southern Maine Coast | Maritime | Formerly the boathouse of Booth Tarkington |
Abbe Museum | Bar Harbor | Hancock | Down East | Native American | History, culture and crafts of the Wabanaki, two locations |
Abbot Historical Society Museum | Abbot | Piscataquis | Maine Highlands | Local history | Museum in the former Knights of Pythias Hall[1] |
Abbott Museum | Dexter | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Local history | Operated by the Dexter Historical Society (information) |
Acadian Village | Van Buren | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Open air | Historic village buildings reflect the cultural heritage of the Acadians, open seasonally[2] |
Alexander-Crawford Historical Society | Alexander | Washington | Down East | Local history | Open by appointment (information) |
Alfred Shaker Museum | Alfred | York | Southern Maine Coast | Religion | Run by the Friends of the Alfred Shaker Museum, ongoing restoration of the Shaker Wood, Lumber Storage, and Carriage House |
Allagash Historical Museum | Allagash | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Local history | Operated by the Allagash Historical Society, open weekends in summer[3][4] |
Androscoggin Historical Society | Auburn | Androscoggin | Kennebec Valley | Local history | Includes the Davis-Wagg Museum[5] (website) |
Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum | Houlton | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Local history | Includes a historic kitchen, military artifacts, photographs by (Edward) E. B. White and other photographers taken between 1885 and 1920, and displays about the area WWII prison camp[6][7] |
Ashland Logging Museum | Ashland | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Industry | Includes logging equipment, vehicles, replica log cookroom and scaler's office, blacksmith shop[8] |
Bangor Museum and Center for History | Bangor | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | History | Local history, photographs, clothing, Civil War artifacts. Located in the Thomas A. Hill House and Civil War Museum, operated by the Bangor Historical Society. (website) |
Bangor Police Museum | Bangor | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Law enforcement | Open by appointment (website) |
Bar Harbor Historical Society Museum | Bar Harbor | Hancock | Down East | Local history | Includes area memorabilia, maps, antique clothing and photos |
Bar Harbor Whale Museum | Bar Harbor | Hancock | Down East | Natural history | Whales and seals common to the Gulf of Maine; seeking new location (website) |
Barracks Museum | Eastport | Washington | Down East | History | History of Fort Sullivan, fishing industry, local history |
Bates College Museum of Art | Lewiston | Androscoggin | Kennebec Valley | Art | Collection includes many Maine artists and Marsden Hartley |
Baxter House Museum | Gorham | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | |
Belfast Museum | Belfast | Waldo | Mid Coast | History | Operated by the Belfast Historical Society. Local and maritime history, art. (website) |
Benjamin C. Wilder House | Washburn | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Historic house | Operated by the Salmon Brook Historical Society. Property also houses Aroostook Agricultural Museum, a barn displaying 1850-1910 farm equipment and tools |
Biddeford Mills Museum | Biddeford | York | Southern Maine Coast | Local history | Offering mill tours and outreach events, preserving the legacy and history of textile mills in the Biddeford/Saco region, |
Blacksmith Shop Museum | Dover-Foxcroft | Piscataquis | Maine Highlands | Industry | Operated by the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society |
Blaine House | Augusta | Kennebec | Kennebec Valley | Historic house | Maine's Governor's Mansion |
Blue Hill Historical Society | Blue Hill | Hancock | Down East | Historic house | Located at Holt House (website) |
Bowdoin College Museum of Art | Brunswick | Cumberland | Mid Coast | Art | Collections include American, European and non-Western paintings, sculpture, works on paper and decorative arts |
Boothbay Railway Village | Boothbay | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Railway | Authentic steam locomotive surrounded by historic Maine buildings preserved in a recreated village, and a collection of 60 antique autos. (website) |
Boothbay Region Historical Society | Boothbay Harbor | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Local history | website |
Brick Store Museum | Kennebunk | York | Southern Maine Coast | History | Local history, art and culture museum housed in five 19th-Century buildings focusing on the Kennebunks and southern Maine. |
Brooklin Keeping Historical Society | Brooklin | Hancock | Down East | Local history | website |
Brooksville Historical Society Museum | Brooksville | Hancock | Down East | Local history | website |
Bryant Stove & Music Museum | Thorndike | Waldo | Mid Coast | Collectibles | Antique stoves, antique toy cars, player pianos, music boxes and doll circus with miniature animated units. (website) |
Bucksport Historical Society Museum | Bucksport | Hancock | Down East | History | Local history |
Burnham Tavern Museum | Machias | Washington | Down East | Historic house | Late 18th-century period tavern with ties to the American Revolutionary War |
Burnt Coat Harbor Light | Swan's Island | Hancock | Down East | Maritime | Keeper's house open in summer, tower open for climbing several times a week |
Burnt Island Light | Boothbay | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Maritime | Boat trip to island lighthouse with living history docent portraying 1950s keeper's life |
Caribou Historical Center & Museum | Caribou | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Local history | [9] |
Castine Historical Society | Castine | Hancock | Down East | Local history | Located in the Abbot School. (website) |
Castle Tucker | Wiscasset | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Historic house | Operated by Historic New England, late 19th-century period house |
Center for Maine Contemporary Art | Rockport | Knox | Mid Coast | Art | Contemporary art |
Center for Moosehead History & Moosehead Aviation Museum | Greenville | Piscataquis | Maine Highlands | Multiple | Includes region's aviators, vintage aircraft and memorabilia, Native American influence and artifacts, medical care, Greenville High School, life in the area during the 1800s, local history. (website) |
Cherryfield-Narrag Historical Society Museum | Cherryfield | Washington | Down East | Local history | website |
Children's Discovery Museum of Maine | Augusta | Kennebec | Kennebec Valley | Children's | website |
Children's Museum of Maine | Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Children's | |
Clewley Museum | Brewer | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Local history | Operated by the Brewer Historical Society, open by appointment. (website) |
Clifton Historical Society Complex | Clifton | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Local history | Includes Clifton Town Hall Museum and the Harold Allan Schoolhouse[10] |
Coastal Children's Museum | Rockland | Knox | Mid Coast | Children's | website |
Colburn House State Historic Site | Pittston | Kennebec | Kennebec Valley | Historic house | Managed by the Arnold Expedition Historical Society and owned by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. 18th-century house with ties to the American Revolutionary War. |
Colby College Museum of Art | Waterville | Kennebec | Kennebec Valley | Art | Part of Colby College, specializes in American and contemporary art |
Cole Land Transportation Museum | Bangor | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Transportation | Land transportation equipment including tractors, farm equipment, fire trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, snowplows and cabooses[11] |
Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site | New Harbor | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Multiple | Museum with excavated artifacts from Fort William Henry, an early 20th-century reconstruction of a late 17th-century fort, and the excavated remains of 17th- and 18th-century village buildings |
Conway Homestead & Cramer Museum | Rockport | Knox | Mid Coast | Open air | Operated by the Camden-Rockport Historical Society, includes the historic house, history museum, barn with carriages, sleighs and tools, a blacksmith shop and maple sugaring house |
Corinna Historical Society Museum | Corrina | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Local history | |
Corinth Historical Society Museum | Corinth | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Local history | 2 floors of displays, guided tours, Corinth History and Genealogy archives. Admission free, under 13 must be accompanied by adult. (website ) |
Counting House Museum | South Berwick | York | Southern Maine Coast | Local history | Home of the Old Berwick Historical Society, former textile mill office, exhibits about rural life in coastal New England, from tidewater farms to maritime trade |
Country Store Museum | Bass Harbor | Hancock | Down East | Local history | Operated by the Tremont Historical Society, 19th-century country store with displays of local historic artifacts and photographs. (website) |
Cushing's Point Museum at Bug Light Park | South Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Local history | Operated by the South Portland Historical Society |
Davistown Museum | Liberty | Waldo | Mid Coast | Multiple | website, hand tools used in Maine and New England's maritime culture, art, history, Native Americans, environment |
Dead River Area Historical Society | Eustis | Franklin | Maine Lake Country | Local history | Located in Stratton, near Eustis (website) |
Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society Museum | Deer Isle | Hancock | Down East | Local history | website |
Dennys River Historical Society | Dennysville | Washington | Down East | Historical society | Vestry Museum |
Depot House Museum | Pittsfield | Somerset | Somerset | Local history | Operated by the Pittsfield Historical Society |
Desert of Maine | Freeport | Cumberland | Mid Coast | Multiple | 40-acre (160,000 m2) tract of exposed glacial silt, includes a sand museum and agriculture museum |
Dixfield Historical Society Museum | Dixfield | Oxford | Western Maine Mountains | Local history | website |
Dr. Job Holmes Cottage & Museum | Calais | Washington | Down East | Historic house | Operated by the St Croix Historical Society, restored as an 1850 doctor’s home and office |
Dry Mills Schoolhouse Museum | Gray | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Education | Mid-19th-century period one-room schoolhouse |
Eagle Island State Historic Site | Eagle Island | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | Island with retirement home of Admiral Robert Peary, the polar explorer |
Ellsworth Historical Society Museum | Ellsworth | Hancock | Down East | Historic house | Mid 19th-century Victorian sheriff's house, office and original cell block and jail |
Fairfield History House | Fairfield | Somerset | Somerset | Local history | Located in the Cotton-Smith House, operated by the Fairfield Historical Society |
Falmouth Heritage Museum | Falmouth | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | History | Operated by the Falmouth Historical Society (website) |
Farnsworth Art Museum | Rockland | Knox | Mid Coast | Art | American art |
Fawcett's Antique Toy & Art Museum | Waldoboro | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Toy | Collection of antique toys and original comic art (website) |
Fifth Maine Regiment Museum | Peaks Island | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Military | Civil War and local history exhibits |
Fishermen’s Museum at Pemaquid | Bristol | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Maritime | Artifacts of Pemaquid Point Light and area maritime history |
Fort Kent State Historic Site | Fort Kent | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Military | Reconstructed early 19th-century log blockhouse |
Fort Kent Historical Society Museum | Fort Kent | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Railroad | Area railroad history |
Fort Knox | Prospect | Waldo | Mid Coast | Military | Restored mid-19th-century fort and visitor center |
Fort McClary State Historic Site | Kittery Point | York | Southern Maine Coast | Military | Mid-19th-century blockhouse with exhibits, open in summer |
Frenchboro Historical Society | Frenchboro | Hancock | Down East | Local history | website |
Friendship Museum | Friendship | Knox | Mid Coast | Local history | website |
Frontier Heritage Historical Society | Fort Fairfield | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Multiple | Operates Fort Fairfield Railroad Museum, Blockhouse Museum, McIntosh One-Room School House, Friends Church[12] |
Fryeburg Fair Farm Museum | Fryeburg | Oxford | Western Maine Mountains | Agriculture | Open during the Fryeburg Fair, historic farm vehicles, equipment, crafts and trades. (website) |
Fryeburg Historical Society Museum | Fryeburg | Oxford | Western Maine Mountains | Local history | website |
General Henry Knox Museum | Thomaston | Knox | Mid Coast | Historic house | House known as Montpelier, life and times of Henry Knox (website) |
Georgetown Historical Society Museum | Georgetown | Sagadahoc | Mid Coast | Local history | website |
George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History | Bar Harbor | Hancock | Down East | Natural history | Part of College of the Atlantic (website) |
Gibbs Avenue Museum | Bridgton | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Local history | Operated by the Bridgton Historical Society in a former fire station (website) |
Governor Brann School | Van Buren | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | School | Historic one room school |
Gray Historical Society Museum | Gray | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Historical society | Museum is open on special Open House days and on request (website) |
Great Harbor Maritime Museum | Northeast Harbor | Hancock | Down East | Maritime | Located in the old town firehouse[13] |
Green Water Tank Museum | Frenchville | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Railway | Operated by the Frenchville Historical Society |
Grindle Point Sailor's Museum and Lighthouse | Islesboro | Waldo | Mid Coast | Maritime | Maritime museum in the keeper's house, lighthouse tower open for tours in the summer |
Grist Mill Museum | Dexter | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Local history | Operated by the Dexter Historical Society, former 19th-century mill, miller's house and schoolhouse with local history displays (website) |
Guilford Historical Society Museum | Guilford | Piscataquis | Maine Highlands | Local history | website |
Hamilton House | South Berwick | York | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | Operated by Historic New England, late 19th-century period house and garden |
Hamlin Memorial Library and Museum | Paris | Oxford | Western Maine Mountains | Local history | website |
Hampden Historical Society | Hampden | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Local history | Located in the 1794 Kinsley House[14] |
Harmon Museum | Old Orchard Beach | York | Southern Maine Coast | Local history | Home to Old Orchard Beach Historical Society (website) |
Harpswell Historical Society Museum | Harpswell | Cumberland | Mid Coast | Local history | website |
Harrigan Learning Center and Museum | Milo | Piscataquis | Maine Highlands | Fossils, minerals & Native American artifacts | website Owned by the Three Rivers Kiwanis of Milo/Brownville |
Harriman School Museum | Sebec | Piscataquis | Maine Highlands | Local history | Home to the Sebec Historical Society |
Harrington House | Freeport | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Local history | Home to Freeport Historical Society (website) |
Haystack Historical Society | Mapleton | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | History | Displays of everyday historical artifacts including household and farming implements[15] |
Hendricks Hill Museum | Southport | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Local history | website |
Holmes-Crafts Homestead | Jay | Franklin | Maine Lake Country | Historic house | Operated by the Jay Historic Society, by appointment only |
Hope Historical Society House and Museum | Hope | Knox | Mid Coast | Historic house | website |
Hose 5 Fire Museum | Bangor | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Fire | Historic firefighting vehicles and equipment |
Hudson Museum | Orono | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Anthropology | Part of the University of Maine, cultural art and artifacts with emphasis on Native American and South American artifacts |
International Cryptozoology Museum | Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Natural history | Exhibits related to the search for animals whose existence has not been proven (website) |
Islesboro Historical Society Museum | Islesboro | Waldo | Down East | Local history | website |
Islesford Historical Museum | Little Cranberry Island | Hancock | Down East | Local history | History of Little Cranberry Island, within the boundaries of Acadia National Park |
James Leavitt House | Waterboro | York | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | |
Jonathan Fisher House | Blue Hill | Hancock | Down East | Historic house | Early 19th-century homestead, legacy of Reverend Jonathan Fisher |
Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum | Brunswick | Cumberland | Mid Coast | Historic house | Maintained by the Pejepscot Historical Society, 19th-century Victorian home |
Kennebunkport History Center | Kennebunkport | York | Southern Maine Coast | Open air | Operated by Kennebunkport Historical Society, includes Pasco Exhibit Center, town house school, Clark Shipyard office, old jail cells, Benson blacksmith shop (website) |
Kenneth E. Stoddard Shell Museum | Boothbay | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Natural history | information |
Kingfield Historical House | Kingfield | Franklin | Maine Lake Country | Historic house | Operated by the Kingfield Historical Society, displays of local history |
Kittery Historical & Naval Museum | Kittery | York | Southern Maine Coast | Maritime | Area maritime, military and local history (website) |
Lagerstrom House | Woodland | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Historic house | Late 19th-century house, operated by the Woodland Historical Society[16] |
L. C. Bates Museum | Hinckley | Somerset | Somerset | Natural history | Natural history, archaeology, art and Americana, between Fairfield and Skowhegan |
Limington Historical Society | Limington | York | Southern Maine Coast | Local history | Barn museum open seasonally (website) |
Lincolnville Historical Society School House Museum | Lincolnville | Waldo | Mid Coast | Local history | website |
Lindbergh Crate Museum | Canaan | Somerset | Somerset | Collectible | Open by appointment, collection of Lindberghabilia displayed inside the packing crate in which Lindbergh's plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, was shipped back to America after Lindbergh completed the first human, solo transatlantic flight in 1927[17] |
Loring Military Heritage Center | Limestone | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Military | History of the former Loring Air Force Base |
Lubec Historical Society Museum | Lubec | Washington | Down East | History | Early 20th-century general store[18] |
Lovell Historical Society Museum | Lovell | Oxford | Western Maine Mountains | Local history | Also known as the Kimball-Stanford House |
Madrid Schoolhouse Museum | Madrid | Franklin | Maine Lake Country | Local history | Located in a historic schoolhouse with school and local history displays, open on a limited basis, operated by the Madrid Historical Society |
Maine Air Museum | Bangor | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Aviation | Located at Bangor International Airport[19] |
Maine Art Glass Butterfly and Insect Museum | Lisbon Falls | Androscoggin | Kennebec Valley | Natural history | Mounted butterflies and insects in diorama cases, located in a stained glass workshop and gallery[20] |
Maine Coast Sardine History Museum | Jonesport | Washington | Down East | Industry | Area sardine canning industry, tools, machines (website) |
Maine Discovery Museum | Bangor | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Children's | |
Maine Forest & Logging Museum | Bradley | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Industry | History of forestry in the state, authentic reconstruction of a logging and milling community of the 1790s |
Maine Forestry Museum | Rangeley | Franklin | Maine Lake Country | Industry | Includes 72-acre trail system, vintage logging equipment, chainsaw carvings, oil paintings that depict life in the logging camps from 1915 to 1928, logging dioramas, photographs (website) |
Maine Granite Industry Museum | Mount Desert | Hancock | Down East | Industry | Operated by the Maine Granite Industry Historical Society, tools, photos, company ledgers, books, Union badges and constitutions (website) |
Maine Historical Society Museum | Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | History | Changing exhibits about Maine's history, art and culture |
Maine Lighthouse Museum | Rockland | Knox | Mid Coast | Lighthouse | Collection of lighthouse lenses, lighthouse artifacts and Coast Guard memorabilia (website) |
Maine Maritime Museum | Bath | Sagadahoc | Mid Coast | Maritime | Includes a historic shipyard with five original 19th-century buildings and a Victorian-era shipyard owner's home |
Maine Military Historical Society | Augusta | Kennebec | Kennebec Valley | Military | State's military history (website) |
Maine Military Museum and Learning Center | South Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Military | website, every aspect of military service from the Revolutionary War to Afghanistan and Iraq |
Maine Mineral and Gem Museum | Bethel | Oxford County | Western Maine Mountains | Geology | website, state rocks, mineral, and gems, as well as meteors and fossils. |
Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum | Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Railroad | Rolling stock and artifacts from the 2 ft (610 mm) gauge narrow gauge railroads |
Maine Ski and Snowboard Museum | Carrabassett Valley | Franklin | Maine Lake Country | Sports | Ski and Snowboard equipment, artifacts and memorabilia |
Maine State Aquarium | Boothbay Harbor | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Aquarium | website, depicts local marine life in 13 tank exhibits and 2 live touch tanks |
Maine State Building | Poland | Androscoggin | Kennebec Valley | Art | Operated by the Poland Spring Preservation Society, changing art exhibits in a building that was originally at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago |
Maine State Museum | Augusta | Kennebec | Kennebec Valley | Multiple | State history and culture, Native American culture, natural history, industry |
Maine's Paper and Heritage Museum | Livermore Falls | Androscoggin | Kennebec Valley | Industry | website, cultural heritage of the paper-making towns and mills along the Androscoggin River |
Margaret Chase Smith Library | Skowhegan | Somerset | Somerset | Biographical | website, includes museum with artifacts from life of Senator Margaret Chase Smith |
Marrett House | Standish | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | Operated by Historic New England, 19th-century period house |
Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage | Union | Knox | Mid Coast | Agriculture | website, open in summer, lifestyles in the 18th century, including carriages, agricultural tools, musical instruments, books, collections of photo prints |
McCurdy Smokehouse | Lubec | Washington | Down East | Industry | Former traditional smoked-herring facility with exhibits about the area fishing industry, also includes an art gallery, operated by Lubec Landmarks |
McLellan-Sweat Mansion | Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | Part of the Portland Museum of Art, 19th-century house featuring 19th-century American paintings and decorative arts |
Meetinghouse Museum | Wells | York | Southern Maine Coast | History | website, home of Historical Society of Wells & Ogunquit |
Mexico Historical Society Museum | Mexico | Oxford | Western Maine Mountains | Local history | website |
Milbridge Historical Museum | Milbridge | Washington | Down East | Local history | website, operated by the Millbridge Historical Society |
Millinocket Historical Society | Millinocket | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Local history | website, developing the Millinocket Town Museum |
Milo Historical Society Museum | Milo | Piscataquis | Maine Highlands | Local history | Located in a historic church, permanent exhibits of local history, industry and cultural life |
Monhegan Museum | Monhegan | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Multiple | Natural, social, industrial, cultural, and artistic history of Monhegan, located in a lighthouse complex |
Monmouth Museum | Monmouth | Kennebec | Kennebec Valley | Open air | website, 19th-century rural life, complex includes a blacksmith shop, the Blossom House, stencil shop, carriage house, freight shed, corn crib, cobbler's shop and country store |
Moosehead Historical Museum | Greenville | Piscataquis | Maine Highlands | Historic house | website, housed in the Victorian-period Eveleth-Crafts-Sheridan House, carriage house features the Lumberman's Museum with logging tools and equipment |
Moosehead Marine Museum | Greenville | Piscataquis | Maine Highlands | Maritime | Features cruises on the steamboat Katahdin |
Morrell-Sherburne House | North Berwick | York | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | website, home of the North Berwick Historical Society |
Mount Desert Oceanarium | Bar Harbor | Hancock | Down East | Industry | website, includes Maine Lobster Museum and lobster hatchery |
Mount Desert Oceanarium | Southwest Harbor | Hancock | Down East | Industry | website, includes marine aquarium and Fisherman's Museum |
Musée Culturel du Mont-Carmel | Lille | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | History | Historic wooden Catholic church, collection of Acadian, Catholic and Québecois artifacts[21] |
Museum L-A | Lewiston | Androscoggin | Kennebec Valley | Industry | Textile and area industry and labor heritage |
Museum of African Culture | Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Culture | Sub-Saharan African tribal art |
Museum of Chebeague History at the District 9 Schoolhouse | Chebeague Island | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Local history | Operated by the Chebeague Island Historical Society[22] |
Museums of Old York | York | York | Southern Maine Coast | Open air | website, nine historic museum buildings including the Old York Gaol, John Hancock Warehouse, Old Schoolhouse (York, Maine), Elizabeth Perkins House, Jefferds Tavern, the Steedman Woods nature preserve, a contemporary art gallery and restored gardens |
Museums of the Bethel Historical Society | Bethel | Oxford | Western Maine Mountains | History | Eight exhibit galleries and nine period rooms spread throughout two buildings - the 1821 O'Neil Robinson House and the 1813 Dr. Moses Mason House |
Naples Historical Society Museum | Naples | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Local history | website |
Narramissic | Bridgton | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | website, operated by the Bridgton Historical Society, also known as the Peabody-Fitch Farm |
Nathan Gates House | Machiasport | Washington | Down East | Historic house | Home of Machiasport Historical Society, photographs, period furniture, housewares and other memorabilia |
National Museum of the Morgan Horse | New Gloucester | Cumberland | Natural history | Operated by the American Morgan Horse Association, history of the Morgan horse[23] | |
Neal Dow Memorial | Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | 19th-century headquarters of the Maine Woman's Christian Temperance Union |
New Sweden Historical Society Museum | New Sweden | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | History | [24][25] |
Nickels-Sortwell House | Wiscasset | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Historic house | Operated by Historic New England, 19th-century house with Colonial Revival furnishings |
Nobleboro Historical Center | Nobleboro | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Local history | website, operated by the Nobleboro Historical Society |
Nordica Homestead | Farmington | Franklin | Maine Lake Country | Historic house | Birthplace of diva Lillian Nordica |
Norridgewock Historical Society Museum | Norridgewock | Somerset | Somerset | Local history | [26] |
Northeast Historic Film | Bucksport | Hancock | Down East | Media | Exhibits in the Alamo Theatre including the cinema's history, social history of moviegoing, amateur filmmaking equipment |
Northern Maine Museum of Science | Presque Isle | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Natural history | Part of the University of Maine at Presque Isle, exhibits include biology, mathematics, physical science, astronomy, chemistry, geology, forestry, agriculture |
Northern Timber Cruisers Antique Snowmobile Museum | Millinocket | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Transportation | website, snowmobiles from the 1960s and a 1943 Toboggan |
Nowetah's American Indian Museum and Gift Store | New Portland | Somerset | Somerset | Native American | website, includes over 600 old Maine Indian baskets and bark containers |
Nylander Museum | Caribou | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Natural history | website, fossils, rocks, plants, insects, butterflies, mammals, birds |
Oakfield Railroad Museum | Oakfield | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Railway | Bangor and Aroostook Railroad artifacts and history |
Observer Building Museum | Dover-Foxcroft | Piscataquis | Maine Highlands | Local history | Operated by the Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society |
Ogunquit Museum of American Art | Ogunquit | York | Southern Maine Coast | Art | American art, open only in summer |
Ogunquit Heritage Museum | Ogunquit | York | Southern Maine Coast | Local history | Located at the Captain James Winn House[27] |
Old Fort Western | Augusta | Kennebec | Kennebec Valley | History | 18th-century log fort with house and store, costumed interpreters |
Old Post Office | Liberty | Waldo | Mid Coast | Local history | Operated by the Liberty Historical Society on Saturdays in the summer |
Old Town Museum | Old Town | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Local history | website |
Olson House | Cushing | Knox | Mid Coast | Historic house | Subject of numerous works of art by Andrew Wyeth, including Christina's World, operated by the Farnsworth Art Museum |
Orland Historical Society Museum | Orland | Hancock | Down East | Local history | website |
Owls Head Transportation Museum | Owls Head | Knox | Mid Coast | Transportation | website, includes airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, carriages, engines and motorcycles |
Page Farm & Home Museum | Orono | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Historic house | Owned by University of Maine, industry, agriculture, economy and home life of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries |
Patten Lumbermen's Museum | Patten | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Industry | website, Maine logging history |
Peary–MacMillan Arctic Museum | Brunswick | Cumberland | Mid Coast | Anthropological | Part of Bowdoin College, Inuit art and artifacts from the Arctic explorations of Robert Peary and Donald Baxter MacMillan |
Pejepscot Museum | Brunswick | Cumberland | Mid Coast | Local history | Operated by the Pejepscot Historical Society, history of Brunswick, Topsham and Harpswell |
Pelletier-Marquis House | St. Agatha | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Historic house | Operated by the St. Agathe Historical Society[28][29] |
Penobscot Marine Museum | Searsport | Waldo | Mid Coast | Maritime | 19th-century village buildings with displays of boats, fishing artifacts, 19th-century Victorian period house, ship models, scrimshaw, marine art |
Penobscot Nation Museum | Old Town | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Native American | website, located on Indian Island, cultural heritage of the Penobscot and Wabanaki people, contemporary Wabanaki art |
Pettengill Farm | Freeport | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | website, owned by the Freeport Historical Society, early 1800s saltbox farmhouse is open by appointment, trails and grounds open daily |
Phillips Historical Society Museum | Phillips | Franklin | Maine Lake Country | Railway | Located in the Capt. Joel Whitney House, includes collection of Portland Glass, period home furnishings, genealogical information and newspaper runs[30] |
Poland Spring Museum and Environmental Education Center | Poland | Androscoggin | Kennebec Valley | Industry | Company history and bottling operations |
Portland Fire Museum | Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Fire | Operated by the Portland Veteran Firemen's Association, historic firefighting vehicles and equipment |
Portland Head Light | Cape Elizabeth | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Lighthouse | Museum with lighthouse lenses and interpretative displays, adjacent to Fort Williams Park |
Portland Museum of Art | Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Art | American and European fine and decorative arts, and the L. D. M. Sweat Memorial Galleries |
Preble-Marr Historical Museum | Great Cranberry Island | Hancock | Down East | Local history | website, operated by the Great Cranberry Island Historical Society in the Cranberry House |
Presque Isle Air Museum | Presque Isle | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Aviation | History of Presque Isle Air Force Base, located at Northern Maine Regional Airport at Presque Isle[31] |
Presque Isle Historical Society | Presque Isle | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Historical society | website, operates two museums: Maysville Museum (in a restored historically significant building that served simultaneously as the Maysville Town Hall, Maysville Grange and Maysville School) at 165 Caribou Road (US Rte 1) and is open during the summer Monday - Saturday from 10 - 2 with no admission; and The 1875 Vera Estey House Museum at 16 Third Street, a small two-story Victorian house. Admission is $5 per person; open during regularly scheduled tour - see website - or by appointment for groups. |
Project Puffin Visitor Center | Rockland | Knox | Mid Coast | Natural history | Features a live video display of puffins and other seabirds from Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge, natural history displays, the seabird conservation work done by the National Audubon Society and others |
Public Safety Museum | Brewer | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Multiple | website, operated by the city, historic displays from the Brewer Fire and Police Departments |
Quoddy Dam Model Museum | Eastport | Washington | Down East | Technology | website, operated by the Border Historical Society, working scale model of the Passamaquoddy Bay Tidal Power Project; also known as Quoddy Maritime Museum |
Rangeley Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum | Rangeley | Franklin | Maine Lake Country | Sports | website, outdoor sports including fly fishing, boating, Paleo Native American artifacts, antique sporting equipment, a working silk fly line making machine, art |
Raye's Mustard Mill Museum | Eastport | Washington | Down East | Industry | website, working mustard mill museum and mustard shop |
Raymond-Casco Historical Society Museum | Casco | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Local history | website |
Readfield Historical Society Museum | Readfield | Kennebec | Kennebec Valley | Local history | website |
Redington Museum | Waterville | Kennebec | Kennebec Valley | Historic house | Operated by the Waterville Historical Society, 19th-century house with collections of furniture, accessories, household artifacts, toys, tools, and weapons |
Robert S. Peacock Fire Museum | Lubec | Washington | Down East | Firefighting | [32] |
Rockwell Kent Cottage and Studio | Monhegan | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Historic house | Home and studio of artist Rockwell Kent |
Rufus Porter Museum | Bridgton | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Art | Home of folk artist Rufus Porter |
Ruggles House | Columbia Falls | Washington | Down East | Historic house | 19th-century period house with many original family furnishings |
Rumford Historical Society Museum | Rumford | Oxford | Western Maine Mountains | Local history | website, also known as the Lufkin School Museum |
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village | New Gloucester | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Religious | Includes Shaker Museum |
Saco Museum | Saco | York | Southern Maine Coast | Multiple | Regional museum of fine and decorative arts and historic artifacts, also known as Dyer Library/Saco Museum, formerly known as the York Institute |
Sail Power and Steam Museum | Rockland | Knox | Mid Coast | Maritime | website |
Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad | Phillips | Franklin | Maine Lake Country | Railway | Heritage railroad and equipment |
Sarah Orne Jewett House | South Berwick | York | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | Operated by Historic New England, features a blend of 18th-century architecture, antiques, and old wallpapers with furnishings showing the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement |
Sayward-Wheeler House | York Harbor | York | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | Operated by Historic New England, 18th-century period house |
Scarborough Historical Society Museum | Scarborough | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Local history | Located in a former power substation of the Portland Railroad Company |
Seal Cove Auto Museum | Seal Cove | Hancock | Down East | Automotive | website, antique cars and motorcycles with a special emphasis on the Brass Era car (1895-1917) |
Seashore Trolley Museum | Kennebunkport | York | Southern Maine Coast | Railway | Mass transit vehicles including trolley cars, rapid transit trains, trolley buses and motor buses |
Sebago Historical Society Museum | Sebago | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Local history | [33] |
Sedgwick-Brooklin Historical Society Museum | Sedgwick | Hancock | Down East | History | website, located in the Rev. Daniel Merrill House (1795) |
Skolfield-Whittier House | Brunswick | Cumberland | Mid Coast | Historic house | Maintained by the Pejepscot Historical Society, 19th-century Victorian home |
Skowhegan History House | Skowhegan | Somerset | Somerset | Local history | website |
Skyline Farm | North Yarmouth | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Transportation | website, living carriage museum with an antique carriage & sleigh collection, open for events and by appointment |
Snowman School House | Woodland | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Local history | One room schoolhouse with local history artifacts[34] |
Somesville Historical Museum | Mount Desert Island | Hancock | Down East | Local history | website, operated by Mount Desert Island Historical Society |
Sound School House Museum | Mount Desert Island | Hancock | Down East | History | website, operated by Mount Desert Island Historical Society |
South Bristol Historical Society Museum | South Bristol | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Local history | website |
Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum | Littleton | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Agriculture | website, farm tools and equipment, household items, memorabilia from the past two centuries |
Stanley Museum | Kingfield | Franklin | Maine Lake Country | History | website, Stanley Steamer cars, air-brush portraits, paintings, photographs |
Stanwood Homestead | Ellsworth | Hancock | Down East | Historic house | 19th-century home of ornithologist Cordelia Stanwood and the Richmond Nature Center, 200-acre wildlife sanctuary |
Stockholm Historical Society Museum | Stockholm | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Local history | Located in a historic general store building, open by appointment |
Tante Blanche Museum | Madawaska | Aroostook | Maine Lake Country | Local history | website, operated by the Madawaska Historical Society |
Tate House Museum | Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | Mid 18th-century period house |
The Telephone Museum | Ellsworth | Hancock | Down East | Industry | website, working telephones, switchboards and switching systems, operated by The New England Museum of Telephony, Inc. |
Thomaston Historical Society Museum | Thomaston | Knox | Mid Coast | Local history | website, houses a library and museum |
Tides Institute and Museum of Art | Eastport | Washington | Down East | Art | website, art, architecture and history, collections include paintings, prints, photographs, sculpture, Passamaquoddy and Micmac basketry, architectural documentation and artifacts, ship models, maps, furniture, musical instruments |
Turner Museum | Turner | Androscoggin | Kennebec Valley | Local history | Operated by the Turner Museum and Historical Association, located on the fourth floor of the Leavitt Institute Building[35] |
Umbrella Cover Museum | Peaks Island | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Collectible | Features over 600 umbrella covers |
Union Historical Society | Union | Knox | Mid Coast | Historic house | website, headquartered in the Robins House |
University of Maine Museum of Art | Bangor | Penobscot | Maine Highlands | Art | Focuses on American mid-20th-century works on paper |
University of Southern Maine Art Gallery | Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Art | [36] |
University of Southern Maine Art Gallery | Gorham | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Art | [37] |
University of Southern Maine Atrium Art Gallery | Lewiston | Androscoggin | Kennebec Valley | Art | website, exhibits highlight Maine artists with solo and group exhibitions of painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and contemporary crafts |
Victoria Mansion | Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | Also known as Morse-Libby House, late 19th-century Victorian mansion |
Vinalhaven Historical Society Museum | Vinalhaven | Knox | Mid Coast | History | website |
Wadsworth-Longfellow House | Portland | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | Operated by the Maine Historical Society, home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
Waldoborough Historical Society Museum | Waldoboro | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Local history | website |
Waponahki Tribal Museum | Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation | Washington | Down East | Native American | website, Maine Native tools, baskets, beaded artifacts, historic photos, and arts and crafts |
Washburn-Norlands Living History Center | Livermore | Androscoggin | Kennebec Valley | Living | Mid 19th-century period mansion, farm and schoolhouse |
Wendell Gilley Museum | Southwest Harbor | Hancock | Down East | Art | Wooden bird carvings by Wendell Gilley and other artists |
West Quoddy Head Light House Visitor Center | Lubec | Washington | Down East | Maritime | History of the lighthouse |
White Columns | Kennebunkport | York | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | website, operated by Kennebunkport Historical Society, 1853 Greek Revival house museum with restored period rooms, features First Families Kennebunkport Museum, also known as Nott House |
Wilhelm Reich Museum | Rangeley | Franklin | Maine Lake Country | Biographical | Also known as Orgonon, home of scientist Wilhelm Reich |
Willowbrook Museum Village | Newfield | York | Southern Maine Coast | Open air | Restored country village with two historic houses and their barns, a reproduction schoolhouse and bandstand, trade shops and carriages |
Wilson Museum | Castine | Hancock | Down East | Multiple | Exhibits include history, natural history, cultural, and historic houses John Perkins House, Blacksmith Shop and Hearse House |
Wilton Farm & Home Museum | Wilton | Franklin | Maine Lake Country | History | Operated by the Wilton Historical Society, displays include farm tools, Maine bottles, homemaking, military uniforms, clothing, bedrooms |
Winslow Homer Studio | Scarborough | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Historic house | House and studio of artist Winslow Homer, tours by the Portland Museum of Art |
Wiscasset, Waterville, and Farmington Railway Museum | Alna | Lincoln | Mid Coast | Railway | 2 ft (0.61 m) (610 mm) gauge heritage railway and museum |
Woodlawn Museum | Ellsworth | Hancock | Down East | Historic house | Collections reflect three generations of the Black family from 1802 to 1928 |
Woolwich History Museum | Woolwich | Sagadahoc | Mid Coast | History | 19th-century rural life museum operated by the Woolwich Historical Society (website) |
Yarmouth History Center | Yarmouth | Cumberland | Southern Maine Coast | Local history | website, operated by the Yarmouth Historical Society |
Defunct Museums
[edit]- Downeast Heritage Museum, Calais, closed in 2008[38][39]
- Johnson Hall Museum, Wells, contents auctioned off in 2015, future uncertain
- Jones Museum of Glass and Ceramic, Sebago,[40][41]
- Mainely Critters Wildlife Museum, Dixfield, destroyed in 2000 due to fire[42]
- Museum of Lighthouse History, Wells, lighthouse collection relocated to the Maine Lighthouse Museum,[43][44]
- Musical Wonder House, Wiscasset, closed in 2014[45]
- Portland Harbor Museum, Portland, merged with the Maine Maritime Museum in June 2010
- Rier Sardine Museum, Lubec[46]
- Shore Village Museum, Rockland, lighthouse collection relocated to the Maine Lighthouse Museum,[47][48]
- Webb Museum of Vintage Fashion, Island Falls[49]
- Wells Auto Museum, Wells, closed in 2013[50]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Abbot Historical Society". Maine Memory Network. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ "Acadian Village". National Park Service: Maine Acadian Culture. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Facebook site". Allagash Historical Society. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Allagash Historical Society". Allagash, Maine. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Androscoggin Historical Society". Androscoggin County Business Directory. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Aroostook County Historical and Art Museum of Houlton". Maine Memory Network. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Facebook site". The Aroostook Historical and Art Museum of Houlton The Aroostook Historical and Art Museum of Houlton. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Facebook site". Ashland Logging Museum. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Caribou Historical Center & Museum". Visit Aroostock County. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Local history is on display at two Clifton museums". Bangor Daily News. December 23, 2011. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
- ^ Cole Land Transportation Museum
- ^ "Fort Fairfield". Visit Maine. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Great Harbor Maritime Museum". Maine Memory Network. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ "insley House Museum, Hampden Historical Society, Museum and Archives". Visit Maine. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ "Welcome to Haystack Historical Society". Maine Memory Network. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Woodland, Maine". Aroostook County. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Lindbergh Crate Museum". Roadside America. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ "Lubec Historical Society". Maine Memory Network. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ "Maine Aviation Historical Society & Maine Air Museum". Maine Memory Network. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ "Official site". Maine Art Studio. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Musée culturel du Mont-Carmel". National Park Service: Maine Acadian Culture. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Official site". Chebeague Island Historical Society. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ Raymond, Brandy (2023-04-11). "National Museum of the Morgan Horse". Pineland Farms, Inc. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
- ^ "New Sweden Today". Maine Swedish Colony. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "New Sweden". Aroostook County, Maine. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Norridgewock Historical Society". Visit Maine. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ "Ogunquit Heritage Museum". Gay Ogunquit. Archived from the original on 28 February 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ "Ste. Agathe Historical Society Facts". Maine Memory Network. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Pelletier-Marquis House". National Park Service: Maine Acadian Culture. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Phillips Historical Society". Maine Memory Network. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ "Presque Isle Air Museum". Maine Memory Network. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Historical Sites, Museums, and Historical Activities". Visit Lubec. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ "Sebago Historical Society". Maine Memory Network. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ "Woodland, Maine". Aroostook County. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Turner Museum". Town of Turner. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ "Art Galleries". University of Southern Maine. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ "Art Galleries". University of Southern Maine. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ "Downeast Heritage Museum in Calais bankrupt". Bangor Daily News. September 8, 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ Edward French (September 11, 2009). "Maine Indian Education eyes Calais museum". The Quoddy Tides. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ "Antiques and the Arts Online - Glass Museum in Maine Found in Contempt of Court Order". Archived from the original on 2007-06-08. Retrieved 2008-04-08. Glass Museum in Maine Found in Contempt of Court Order, Sept. 23, 2003
- ^ http://www.lakesregionofmaine.gen.me.us/richardbuck/see&do/jonesmuseum.html Archived 2008-04-18 at the Wayback Machine A Jewel in a Pastoral Setting, 1997
- ^ "Taxidermists lose home to fire". Sun Journal. February 18, 2000. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ http://www.lighthousefoundation.org/museum/mlh_landingpage.htm Museum of Lighthouse History... Our collection has moved into the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland Maine!
- ^ http://www.lighthousefoundation.org/museum/mlmalf121306.htm Consolidation Will Create America’s Largest Lighthouse Museum
- ^ "Musical Wonder House Leaves Customers Wondering". Lincoln County News. 25 November 2014. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
It closed suddenly and without explanation in the spring of 2014.
- ^ "Lubec, Maine: Sardine Museum - Closed". Roadside America. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ "Shore Village Museum - Maine's Lighthouse Museum". Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2008-01-07. Shore Village Museum homepage
- ^ http://www.lighthousefoundation.org/newsroom/kenblack_012907.htm Kenneth N. Black, "Mr. Lighthouse," Passes Away at 83
- ^ http://www.bangordailynews.com/news/t/lifestyle.aspx?articleid=150604&zoneid=14[permanent dead link ] Bangor Daily News, June 5, 2007, Article referencing defunct museum
- ^ "Car Shows - Wells Auto Museum in Wells, Maine". Youtube. July 25, 2013. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
Sadly, after 40 years of operation, this beautiful auto museum and all of its contents are being auctioned off. The reasons being: 1) The owners passed awa
External links
[edit]- Maine Archives & Museums
- Maine Art Scene - Maine Arts & Culture Online Magazine
- Maine.gov: Museums
- Maine Travel Guide