Penobscot Marine Museum facts for kids
Penobscot Marine Museum
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Penobscot Marine Museum
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Location | Church St Searsport, Maine |
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Area | 3.1 acres (1.3 ha) |
Architectural style | Greek Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 70000088 (original) 97001133 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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Added to NRHP | July 1, 1970 |
Boundary increase | September 26, 1997 |
The Penobscot Marine Museum is a special place in Searsport, Maine, United States. It's the oldest museum in Maine that focuses on the sea! Its main goal is to teach people all about Maine's amazing history with the ocean, especially how people built ships and sailed them. The museum started in 1936 and you can find it right in the middle of Searsport.
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What is the Penobscot Marine Museum?
The Penobscot Marine Museum is like a whole village from the 1800s. It has many old buildings that show what life was like for sea captains and their families. The museum helps everyone learn about Maine's important connection to the ocean. This includes stories of brave sailors and the history of shipbuilding in the area.
Exploring the Museum Campus
The museum is spread out across two main areas in Searsport. The main part is on both sides of Church Street. There are also three more buildings on Main Street.
The museum has thirteen buildings in total. Some of these are very old and important. Eight of the museum's buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized as special places that need to be protected because of their history.
The museum also has a modern gallery. This gallery features new shows every year. There is also a library and archives. These places hold many old books, maps, and documents about maritime history. They also have information for people researching their family history in the region.
Amazing Photo Collection
One of the coolest things at the museum is its huge collection of old photographs. These photos were taken by a company called Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Company. They show what life was like in New England and New York between 1909 and 1947. The museum is working to put all these photos online. This way, more people can see them and learn from them.
Buildings at the Museum
The Penobscot Marine Museum has many interesting buildings to explore. Each one helps tell a part of Maine's maritime story.
- Admission Center: This is where your adventure begins!
- Main Street Gallery: A place for special art and history exhibits.
- Savage Education Center: Where visitors can learn more through programs and workshops.
- First Congregational Church of Searsport: An active church that is part of the museum campus.
- Captain Jeremiah Merithew House: This was the home of a sea captain in the mid-1800s.
- Old Vestry: A historic building often used for community events.
- Douglas and Margaret Carver Memorial Gallery: Another gallery space for exhibits.
- Stephen Phillips Memorial Library: Home to many books and records about the sea.
- Old Town Hall: Built in 1845, this building has a lot of history.
- Duncan House: Another historic home on the campus.
- Duncan Boat Barn: A barn that might have been used for boats or related activities.
- Boat House: A building likely used for storing or working on boats.
- Yard in the Yard: An outdoor area that might display larger items or be used for events.
- Ross Carriage Barn: A barn that once held carriages.
- Fowler-True-Ross Barn: Another historic barn.
- Fowler-True-Ross House: A 19th-century house that shows how people lived long ago.