Maine's Very Own Smithsonian Museum Is Just Begging To Be Visited

The land we walk on in Maine is sacred. It has been inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years and the stories passed down go back further than can be recalled by most people. We exist on Wabanaki Nation land and it’s important to remember that heritage each and every time we step outside and appreciate the outdoors. A great place to understand more about the Wabanaki Nation is through the Abbe Museum, Maine’s only Smithsonian-affiliated museum.

There are four Maine Indian tribes that exist today – the Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot and Passamaquoddy. Together they’re known as the Wabanaki, or “People of the Dawnland.” Each group has its own tribal government, schools and cultural center and they each oversee their own land and natural resources. While most of the Native population in Maine belongs to one of these federally recognized groups living on tribal lands, there are Native people living in towns across Vacationland.

The mission of The Abbe Museum is to inspire new learning about the Wabanaki Nation every time someone walks through the doors.

Dr. Abbe held a collection of early Native American pieces that he had found in nearby Frenchman Bay. In an effort to preserve and protect these objects, he asked others with their own collections to join him in sharing their pieces in this small museum.

While the focus at the museum was initially on all thing archaeologic, eventually things expanded to include ethnographic materials dating from between the 17th and the 20th centuries.

In 1997, the museum moved into the former YMCA building in downtown Bar Harbor, which is where it stands today.

One thing artifact you'll find a lot of is baskets. As a result of multiple donations, the Abbe Museum holds the largest and best documented collection of Maine Indian basketry.

It currently houses over 12,000 years of Native American culture and history in Maine.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the museum began more actively engaging the Native people of Maine, allowing for exhibits that specifically focused on members of the community. Today, members are involved in important policy decisions as members of the board.

They have a wonderful education program, including a beautiful and fun are for kids to learn.

And throughout the year there are many workshops teaching traditional crafts and Wabanaki technology.

One of the best program is Cultural Connections in the Park, which features demonstrations focused on Wabanaki ways of life. Past programs have included music at the top of Cadillac Mountain as well as an ash pounding demonstration, pictured here.

This summer also saw special programs teaching visitors about Wabanaki technology and inventions that allowed them to thrive in an environment like Maine.

The Abbe Museum is located at 26 Mt Desert St., Bar Harbor, Maine. From November through April they’re open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The original Acadia National Park location is at 49 Sweetwater Circle, Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine. They’re closed for the winter, but open again in May.

You can learn much more on their website, or check them out on Facebook for more timely information on programs. You can call them on 207-288-3519.

We also love the L.C. Bates Natural History Museum in Hinckley, Maine. Learn more about it here.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Maine's Very Own Smithsonian Museum Is Just Begging To Be Visited

Michelle

Author

Related Stories

There’s A Chocolate Museum In Maine And It’s Just As Awesome As It Sounds

You Can Expect A Very Different Type Of Night When You Visit The Portland Art Museum After 5pm On Fridays In Maine

Travel Back To The 1870s By Visiting Maine's Very Own Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum

Want more Maine in your inbox?

Related Articles

Explore Maine