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Maine Maritime Museum - Boasts 10 acres of galleries and exhibits on the Kennebec River in Bath

Maine Maritime Museum (an hour drive from Rockland) is a must see spot for people that love and appreciate the Maine Coast and its maritime heritage. The Museum is located on the Kennebec River in Bath and has been a favorite spot for locals and tourists alike since it opened in 1962. This museum, located on 25 acres of waterfront, has 10 acres of galleries and exhibits that bring the rich maritime history of Maine to life.

Just how extensive is the Museum’s collection? It contains 16,000 items, including 300 ship models, 300 paintings, 2,000 tools, 130 watercraft, as well as navigational instruments, and figureheads. Visitors are invited to experience an active waterfront, fascinating exhibits, interactive areas for both children and adults, a historic shipyard featuring five original 19th century shipyard buildings, a Victorian-era shipyard owner’s home, a life-size sculptural representation of the largest wooden sailing vessel ever built, and stunning views of the Kennebec River. The Museum also offers narrated tours and boat cruises during the summer months.

There are other must-see spots within this museum, including the bookstore and library. The Maine Maritime Museum bookstore and gift shop offers a wide selection of maritime books, clothing, jewelry, clocks, toys, games, and memorabilia. The museum’s library contains nearly 10,000 bound volumes, over 40,000 periodicals, more than 35,000 photographs, and over 1,500 linear feet of manuscripts. For those researching Maine-related vessels, maritime businesses, ports, or nautical subjects, the library is an immensely valuable resource. The library is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or by appointment. While there is an admission fee for some, the library does not charge members, students, journalists, and other museums.

The Maine Maritime Museum is located at 243 Washington Street in Bath. It is open every day except for major holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free to members, $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $9 for students and children (ages 4-17), and free for children under three. Since visitors often feel like they don’t have time to see it all, make sure to set aside a few hours when you arrive.

The Museum welcomes boaters with a new Visiting Yachtsmen’s Building that offers restrooms, showers and laundry facilities. Mooring or docking fees will apply. Additionally, The Maine Maritime Museum offers their facility to host special events, including weddings, parties, reunions, meetings, and memorial services. The Museum can accommodate large parties and works with a variety of caterers. Some guests choose to hold their events outside in the shipyard (under a tent) with unlimited views of the Kennebec River. For more information about events or the museum, please call 207-443-1316.

For additional insight about the Maine Maritime Museum and visitor experience, read our in-depth Maine Maritime Museum article on our Maine Travel Blog.

Photo Credits (in order of appearance):
“Maine Maritime Museum” by prettywar-stl on Flickr Creative Commons
“Maine Maritime Museum” by prettywar-stl on Flickr Creative Commons
“Maine Maritime Museum” by prettywar-stl on Flickr Creative Commons