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Museum · Bar Harbor, Maine
Abbe Museum
A museum in downtown Bar Harbor dedicated to the Wabanaki, the native peoples of Maine and the Canadian Maritime provinces: history, archaeology, basketry and contemporary art.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Abbe Museum
The Abbe Museum was founded in 1926 by physician Robert Abbe, a summer resident of Bar Harbor, to preserve archaeological objects found on the island. The first building, from 1928, is in Sieur de Monts, inside the park. The main headquarters occupies a building in the village center, and that is where the public exhibitions are held.
The museum covers the history and culture of the Wabanaki, a name that includes the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet and Mi'kmaq peoples, who have lived for thousands of years in what is now Maine and eastern Canada. The permanent exhibition, People of the First Light, tells this story through the voices of the Wabanaki themselves, from origins to contemporary life.
The collection includes archaeological pieces, canoes and tools, and a collection of ash and sweetgrass basketry, a technique passed down through generations and still produced in Maine. Temporary exhibitions showcase contemporary Wabanaki artists.
The building is a few steps from the Village Green and pairs well with a walk through the village before or after a day in the park, especially on rainy days.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About one hour to one and a half hours.
Best time
Any time the museum is open; it’s a good choice for rainy or foggy days. Hours change between the season and winter; confirm before you go.
How to get there
It’s on Mount Desert Street in downtown Bar Harbor, a few minutes’ walk from the Village Green, where the Island Explorer buses stop. Admission is charged; check the current rates.
Tip
See the permanent exhibition first, which provides the context to understand the Wabanaki place names on the island. The museum shop sells baskets and works by Wabanaki artists.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Abbe Museum
What’s in the Abbe Museum?
Exhibitions about the Wabanaki, the native peoples of Maine and eastern Canada, including archaeology, basketry, everyday objects and contemporary art.
Where is the Abbe Museum?
In downtown Bar Harbor, on Mount Desert Street, near the Village Green. The older Sieur de Monts building, inside the park, is another museum building.
Is the Abbe Museum open in winter?
Hours and days of operation change throughout the year and are usually reduced outside the season. Confirm before you go.