Belfast Historical Society and Museum

Name: Belfast Historical Society and Museum
Address: 10 Market Street, Belfast, ME, 04915, US
Telephone: (207) 338-9229
Price range: $$

Home
United States
Belfast, ME
Belfast Historical Society and Museum

Call Directions Website

Enjoy exciting exhibits that tell the story of Belfast. Learn about Belfast's maritime heritage. Open Tuesday - Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm. Admission.

The Belfast Historical Society and Museum is dedicated to the collection, conservation, preservation and interpretation of documents, photographs and other artifacts relevant to Belfast history. The Society and Museum, by means of museum exhibits, lectures and other presentations, promotes the intellectual and cultural life of Belfast, and informs and educates the Belfast community and visitors about its distinguished heritage.

10/18/2026

Kevin Johnson, Photo Archivist at the Penobscot Marine Museum
“Belfast: Now & Then” is the topic for the Belfast Historical Society meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday October 26, in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library. Kevin Johnson, photo archivist at the Penobscot Marine Museum will present new and old photographs of Belfast. “Rephotography” or “Repeat Photography” is a fascinating means of observing change over time. While change is an inexorable force, photography has the ability preserve a slice of time and space. Making direct comparisons of the past and present never gets old!
The Belfast Historical Society presents talks of local historical interest on the 4th Monday of the month from April through October. All presentations are at 7:00pm in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library and are open to the public. Seating is limited to 75. FMI visit BelfastMuseum.org or call 207 338-9229. These programs will be recorded and can be viewed on Belfast Community Television and on the museum website.

10/16/2026

This is one of the rare photographs showing people at work. This postcard is dated October 9, 1920 and identified as "the construction of Belfast Bridge by Cyr Brothers Co." This is the concrete bridge which replaced the older wooden bridge and was dedicated on October 8, 1921 as the Waldo County Memorial Bridge.

10/14/2026

Colburn Shoe Store celebrates 194 years in business during October 2026. Several ads dating from 1832 and 1849 with a nice write up published in 1929.

10/13/2026

A few more Grove Cemetery photographs taken yesterday October 12. Those old Sugar Maples just keep going!

10/11/2026

For 2026 Indigenous Peoples Day, the role of Maine Native-Americans during the Revolutionary War.
During the American Revolution, the Wabanaki Confederacy (including the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, and Mi'kmaq) in Maine largely supported the American patriots. In June 1775, Penobscot Chief Joseph Orono met with George Washington, aligning his people against the British. Wabanaki warriors provided essential military support, particularly in regional battles like the Battle of Machias.
• Treaty of Watertown: On July 19, 1776, the Wabanaki nations signed the Treaty of Watertown, the first international treaty of the new U.S. nation, establishing an alliance and promising protection of tribal lands and resources.
• Role in Conflict: Wabanaki warriors served under Continental officers and fought in Maine, resisting British influence and aiding American patriots in navigating the dense woods.
• Neutrality Challenges: While some Wabanaki tried to remain neutral, the pressures of the war and proximity to English settlements frequently required them to take sides.
• Post-War Impact: Despite their help, the promised protection of land was not honored, leading to significant encroachment on tribal territories.
• Wabanaki Nations: The groups involved, collectively known as the Wabanaki or "People of the Dawnland," included the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, and Mi'kmaq.
The Wabanaki fought to protect their own territory, yet their contribution was pivotal in defending the eastern border of the newly forming United States, as detailed on the Maine Memory Network website.

10/09/2026

From the Belfast Age newspaper in October 1896. Dalton's Imperial Almond Creme is now boxed in newly designed cartons. The boxes come in seven colors pink, fawn, green, white, lilac, blue and yellow. The museum has an example of the white packaging. In addition to making a medicinal sarsaparilla cure-all, Dalton's made face cream.

10/07/2026

In October 1886, Belfast photographer, Edward N. Wight, advertised his Stereoscopic Views of Different Parts of the City For Sale. This is his view of Mathews Brothers. Wight worked in Belfast from 1886-1888.

10/06/2026

The Fall 2026 issue of Memories of Maine, Central and Mid-Coast Maine features a lengthy article "The Adriatic Affair." The article features the Belfast built, Adriatic, captained by Belfast sea captain Jonathan "Barney" Durham. On November 2, 1856, the Adriatic struck a French passenger steamship, Le Lyonnaise off Nantucket. This "maritime hit-and-run" involving a Belfast ship and captain is featured in the book, The Adriatic Affair by author Jennifer Sellitti. Photos and information about this incident were provided by the Belfast Museum to bothe the book and to the article.

10/03/2026

It is hard to believe the last Church Street Festival was held on October 1, 2016. The festival celebrated the end of summer and the highlight was the always amazing and fantastical street parade. Featured were the balloon spitting dragon, Babe the blue elephant, and Bella, the pink elephant. The festival ran from 1980 to 2016. These photos are from that last festival parade. Mary "Myth Weaver" was the creative force behind the festival and for most of the years ran the parade dressed as a clown and on roller skates.

10/02/2026

As reported in the October 2, 1879 Republican Journal: The Continental Tea Party 1776 with two children, Miss Lottie Crowninshield as Martha Washington and George O Bailey as George Washington. Photograph by Tuttle Studio.

Address

10 Market Street
Belfast, ME
04915

Telephone

(207) 338-9229

Website

http://www.belfastmuseum.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Belfast Historical Society and Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your museum to be the top-listed museum in Belfast?