List of museums in Maine

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List of Museums in Maine — A Short, Easy Guide

Maine has a rich and varied museum scene. Across cities and towns, you’ll find places that celebrate history, art, science, and the state’s unique coastal and rural heritage. Here’s a simple guide to what you can explore and a few notable examples.

What kinds of museums you’ll find
- History and local heritage: focuses on the people, places, and events that shaped Maine’s towns and regions.
- Native American and regional culture: highlights the history and arts of Maine’s Indigenous communities and the Wabanaki peoples.
- Maritime and nautical history: preserves ships, lighthouses, fishing, and seafaring stories from Maine’s long coastline.
- Art museums: showcase American and international art, including works by Maine artists.
- Science and natural history: feature geology, biology, aviation, and other sciences.
- Industry and transportation: celebrate Maine’s mills, logging, railroads, and transportation history.
- Rural and agricultural life: reflect farming, country life, and historic homesteads.
- Special collections and quirky museums: some places focus on unusual topics or themed collections.

Notable museums (short list)
- Abbe Museum (Bar Harbor) — Native American history and Wabanaki culture.
- Farnsworth Art Museum (Rockland) — American art, with regional focus.
- Portland Museum of Art (Portland) — American and European art.
- Colby College Museum of Art (Waterville) — American and contemporary art.
- Maine Maritime Museum (Bath) — maritime history and shipyards.
- Penobscot Marine Museum (Searsport) — ships, fishing, and coastal life.
- Owls Head Transportation Museum (Owls Head) — cars, airplanes, and other transportation history.
- Maine Forest & Logging Museum (Bradley) — history of forestry and logging in Maine.
- Cole Land Transportation Museum (Bangor) — land transportation history and artifacts.
- Boothbay Railway Village (Boothbay) — railroad history and recreated village setting.
- Umbrella Cover Museum (Peaks Island) — a lighthearted collection of umbrella covers.
- Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village (New Gloucester) — Shaker history and architecture.
- New Sweden Historical Society Museum (New Sweden) — history of a Scandinavian settlement in Maine.
- Fort Western (Augusta) — 18th-century fort and museum in a historic setting.
- Maine Lighthouse Museum (Rockland) — lighthouse lenses and lighthouse history.

Tips for planning a visit
- Many museums have hours that vary by season, so check current info before you go.
- Some places operate on limited days or by appointment, especially smaller local museums.
- If you’re exploring multiple stops, look for regional museum groups or Maine tourism pages that list a broader directory of sites.

If you want to see a full, up-to-date list, you can search Maine’s museum directories or visit Maine Archives & Museums and state tourism pages for detailed listings and current hours.