Friends of Peary's Eagle Island

Friends of Peary's Eagle Island We are a group of volunteers dedicated to preserving Eagle Island and Admiral Peary’s summer home Limited mooring are available.

2025 Update: Eagle Island will not be accessible by most boats until the pier has been repaired. Kayakers & small boat operators are welcome to pull up on the beach. The trails beyond the gardens are closed until July 15 to protect the nesting seabirds. The Peary Museum is closed for restoration work; no opening date is available. The island is open 10 a.m. - 5 pm, June 15 to Labor Day.

05/23/2026

Today is Commencement at Bowdoin College and to celebrate we’re sharing this photograph of Robert Peary from his graduation in 1877! Congratulations to the students graduating today!🎓



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📷 Wm. Pierce, A.O. Reed, Photographers, Robert E. Peary, Bowdoin graduation photo, 1877.

04/06/2026

Today is National Virtual Travel Day! Did you know the Arctic Museum offers a variety of online resources from past exhibits to blog posts, and activities for kids? Head to our website (link in bio) to check it out!



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🖥️Donald Baxter MacMillan, Dog Team With Kayak, 20th century, Gift of Donald and Miriam MacMillan, 1967.

04/06/2026

in 1909 Robert Peary reached the North Pole!🌎

After 8 attempts over 23 years, Peary, Matthew Henson, and the Inuit men Higdluk, Ûtâk, Íggiánguak’, and Úkujâk planted a flag at the geographic North Pole. However, it was not until September that Peary was able to send a telegram to the press stating his accomplishment. After completing his lifetime goal and having his data confirmed by the National Geographic Society, Peary retired from Arctic exploration and spent the rest of his life lecturing and writing about his experiences.



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📍Benjamin B. Hampton, Postcard: The Stars and Stripes Unfurled by Commander Peary at the North Pole, ca. 1909, Gift of Maria Williams In memory of Dr. H. Franklin Williams, 1999.

One hundred seventeen years ago on April 6 Robert Peary and his Inuit support team reached the northern most point on Ea...
04/06/2026

One hundred seventeen years ago on April 6 Robert Peary and his Inuit support team reached the northern most point on Earth. It is beyond cool that 117 years later, NASA’s Artemis’s lunar mission echoes Peary’s quest.

03/18/2026

Happy and to our students, happy spring break!

Some of our students might be taking advantage of their time off to enjoy the great outdoors, including snowshoeing! These are a pair of Dunham snowshoes owned by MacMillan. Mellie Dunham, who lived in Norway, Maine, became famous for his snowshoes after Peary requested he make 60 pairs for the 1908 North Pole Expedition. Dunham’s snowshoes were said to be superior in deep snow because he created the frames with upturned tips, helping the wearer stay above the snow.



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❄️Mellie Dunham, Pair of Dunham snowshoes used by Donald MacMillan, Unknown Date.

Address

PO Box 43
South Harpswell, ME
04079

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

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