Maine Maritime Museum

10/20/2026

Everyone seemed to enjoy the photo from our collection of some lads standing with a big ol' fish, and it inspired us to search for other examples of this type of ever-popular pose in our collection—and we were not disappointed. Here's Harold & Cod!

As it happens, this photo is of Harold R. Brown, the very first curator of Bath Marine Museum, our predecessor, appointed in May 1964 by Dr. Charles E. Burden. Harold was a teacher at Morse High School and a genealogist, and after his term of curator concluded, he continued to volunteer here until the mid-1990s.

10/19/2026

We recently received a collection of items donated by the great, great, granddaughter of Silas Holt Greenleaf (1831-1902). Silas was born on Westport Island, lived in Woolwich, and captained merchant vessels for 25 years. With the money he earned, he purchased land in Nebraska and moved his family out west.

Among the donated items was a ship portrait of the Matthew Baird, and his log book covering the years 1857-1860 and 1872-1875, and his binoculars, pictured here.

Since the collection included many personal items of the Greenleaf and Farnham families, we partnered with the Woolwich Historical Society and Westport Island Historical Association to transfer them to these organizations, better suited to tell their stories. Our collecting vision is for unique and significant objects or exceptional examples of commonplace items related to Maine’s maritime heritage and its direct global impact, from prehistory to the present. We're happy when the opportunity arises to work alongside our museum, library, archive, and historical society partners to rehome objects when they aren't quite the right fit for us. Thanks to our friends in Woolwich and Westport Island for coming by!

10/17/2026

The regularly scheduled traditional skill demonstrations end for the season Sunday, October 25, with occasional hours while it's still warm enough. As a reminder, we're open all year except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and our annual fundraising gala in July.

10/16/2026

We're excited to announce we are now hosting dedicated Homeschool Days! Fridays November 6, January 8, and March 5.

Each day will include 2 “showings” of the day’s educational offerings: an earlier program for younger children (ages 5–8), 9:30–11:00 am and a later program for older children (ages 9–12), 11:30–1:00 pm.

Registration will open one month before each program date.

Pricing: $5/students, $14/adult

Pre-registration is required since we have limited space in our galleries (25 students max). Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Programs topics may include:

Upon That Isle in Maine: Writing and Illustrating Stories like Chris Van Dusen

Wabanaki Waterways: Technology and Culture

Lobstering & the Maine Coast

How to Build a Wooden Vessel

Shipwreck Detectives: Marine Archaeology

10/14/2026

You asked, we listened! Introducing dedicated homeschool days here at Maine Maritime Museum in Bath ⚓️

We are excited to announce we'll be hosting dedicated Homeschool Days, November 6, January 8, and March 5.

Programs topics may include:
🐉 Upon That Isle in Maine: Writing and Illustrating Stories like Chris Van Dusen
🛶 Wabanaki Waterways: Technology and Culture
🦞 Lobstering & the Maine Coast
🪵 How to Build a Wooden Vessel
🔎 Shipwreck Detectives: Marine Archaeology

Each day will include 2 “showings” of the day’s educational offerings: an earlier program for younger children (ages 5–8), 9:30–11:00 am and a later program for older children (ages 9–12), 11:30–1:00 pm.

Pre-registration is required since we have limited space in our galleries (25 students max). Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Pricing details available on our website—link in comments!

10/14/2026

We are excited to announce we'll be hosting dedicated Homeschool Days, November 6, January 8, and March 5.

Programs topics may include:
🐉 Upon That Isle in Maine: Writing and Illustrating Stories like Chris Van Dusen
🛶 Wabanaki Waterways: Technology and Culture
🦞 Lobstering & the Maine Coast
🪵 How to Build a Wooden Vessel
🔎 Shipwreck Detectives: Marine Archaeology

Each day will include 2 “showings” of the day’s educational offerings: an earlier program for younger children (ages 5–8), 9:30–11:00 am and a later program for older children (ages 9–12), 11:30–1:00 pm.

Pre-registration is required since we have limited space in our galleries (25 students max). Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Pricing details available on our website—link in comments!

10/13/2026

Would you like to win this boat? Our Sweepstakes is coming to a close on November 2 https://www.tapkat.org/maine-maritime-museum/OElXME

The Original Beetle Cat Boat was designed and built in 1921, and immediately began to appear along the shores of New England. Over 4,000 of these boats have been built to date. The design of the Original Beetle Cat was taken from the old 20–30 foot catboats that were used for fishing in shallow waters along Cape Cod. Notable owners of Beetle Cats include John Kerry, Jacqueline Onassis (who had one shipped to Greece in 1969 for John F. Kennedy Jr. and Caroline Kennedy to learn to sail), Steven Spielberg, and Calvin Klein.

In the years since the first boat was built, the design has remained essentially unchanged. The Original Beetle Cat Boat is 12 feet, 4 inches long and is a design adaptation of the great Cape Cod Cats. The wide beam, with the rudder not extending below the bottom of the keel, and centerboard that lifts up, are features that lend this boat to shallow waters. It is a boat that can be beached. The six-foot wide beam makes it unusually stable and gives it a large carrying capacity. This is hull #1853, built in 1981 by the Concordia Company.

All proceeds from this sweepstakes support the museum's Discovery Boatbuilding program, a hands-on, comprehensive wooden boatbuilding and woodworking program for local students. Be sure to stop by the Boatshop to see students building this year's fleet!

10/13/2026

Chris Van Dusen is returning for another story time! Inspired by our current exhibit, Upon That Isle in Maine: The Story & Works of Chris Van Dusen, the beloved children's book author will be back at the museum Sunday, November 8 at 10:00 am 📚
These free story time events sell out fast! Early registration for Maine Maritime Museum members opens at 9:30 am on Sunday, October 25. Registration for everyone opens at 9:30 am on Monday, October 26 📚
Looking forward to seeing everyone then 📚

https://www.mainemaritimemuseum.org/event/story-time-nov-2026

10/11/2026

We are open Monday, October 12 for Indigenous People's Day. Come learn more about the resiliency of Wabanaki communities in our current exhibit, Re|Sounding.

While Maine Maritime Museum is open year-round, cruises and demonstrations end Sunday, October 25; select buildings and exhibits close for winter and inclement weather.

10/09/2026