L. C. Bates Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Quincy Building
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The Quincy Building, not long after its construction
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Hinckley, Maine |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | William R. Miller |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000330 |
| Added to NRHP | October 4, 1978 |
The L.C. Bates Museum is a cool place to explore natural history and culture. It's located in Hinckley, Maine, United States. You can find it on the campus of Good Will-Hinckley, which was once a special school for kids who needed a home and education.
The museum was started by George Walter Hinckley (1853–1950). He created it as part of the Good Will Home in the early 1900s.
Contents
Discover the L.C. Bates Museum
A Historic Home for Nature's Treasures
The museum is inside a beautiful old building called The Quincy Building. It was built in 1903. This brick building has a special style called Romanesque Revival. It was designed by a famous architect named William R. Miller.
The Quincy Building first served as a place for industrial training. But by the early 1920s, it was changed to hold the museum. The building has unique decorations, like terracotta designs and arched windows. It's so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Step Back in Time: A Museum of a Museum
People sometimes call the L.C. Bates Museum a "Museum of a Museum." This is because its inside looks much like museums did in the early 1900s. It has some of the best-preserved museum rooms from that time in Maine.
The museum is packed with amazing exhibits. You can see 32 dioramas that show different animal habitats in Maine. There are also galleries filled with birds, mammals, sea creatures, insects, and minerals. Plus, some exhibits let you get hands-on and learn by doing!
Amazing Art in the Exhibits
The detailed backgrounds for the habitat dioramas were painted in the 1920s. They were created by a well-known American artist named Charles Daniel Hubbard (1876–1951). His paintings help make the dioramas look incredibly real.
Explore Sun Set Park
Right outside the museum, you'll find Sun Set Park. This park is an arboretum, which is like a living museum of trees and plants. Part of the park was designed by the famous Olmsted Brothers. They were well-known for designing many beautiful parks.
Sun Set Park has natural areas and walking trails. These trails are perfect for exploring and learning more about Maine's natural world. They fit right in with the museum's focus on nature.
See Also
- List of natural history museums
- List of museums in Maine
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Somerset County, Maine
