4.5Farnsworth Art Museum(993 reviews) - Good museum and glad to have seen these works of this area of Maine. Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Art Museums
Celebrating Maine's Role in American Art, the Farnsworth Art Museum offers a nationally recognized collection of works from many of America's greatest artists. With 20,000 square feet of gallery space and over 15,000 works in the collection, there is always something new on view at the Farnsworth. The museum has one of the largest collections of works by sculptor Louise Nevelson. Its Wyeth Center features works of Andrew, N.C. and Jamie Wyeth. The Farnsworth's library is also housed in its Rockland, ME, campus. Two historic buildings, the Farnsworth Homestead and the Olson House, and Julia's Gallery for Young Artists complete the museum complex.See more..
4.5The Wadsworth-Longfellow House(291 reviews) - James Horrigan is an Exeptional Docent Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Gardens • History Museums
Part of Maine Historical Society, this historic home is where famed 19th-century poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow lived as a boy. Also contains the Longfellow Garden, a quiet oasis in the City of Portland. Open May-October, Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.See more..
4.5Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum(141 reviews) - Best Civil War related site I’ve visited outside of Gettysburg Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • History Museums
Visit the home of Joshua L. Chamberlain: Maine's most celebrated Civil War hero, who also served four terms as Governor, and was a professor and president of Bowdoin College! Allow our knowledgeable docents to bring his home, life, and legacy alive with guided tours, available Tuesday through Saturday at 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, and 2:30pm. We also offer private tours by appointment only (please allow 3-4 business days for us t arrange). Please visit our website, pejepscothistorical.org, for more information. The Museum is owned and operated by Pejepscot Historical Society.See more..
Added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1989, Camden's official historic district comprises fifty-eight buildings on High Street between Main Street and Sherman Point Road.See more..
4.5Fort Western(117 reviews) - A guided tour and fascination insight into the French Indian War Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Military Bases & Facilities
Home of the country's oldest wooden garrison building, built in 1754, Old Fort Western is a living history museum offering tours to groups and individuals, engaging hands-on activities and unique interactive experiences involving the history of the Kennebec Valley and New England during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.See more..
4.0Goddard Mansion(77 reviews) - A historic building, but not much to see Historic Sites
Located inside the Fort William Park, the Goddard Mansion is a short walk from the central parking lot in the area. The once-beautiful mansion, designed by noted architect Charles Alexander for a local businessman, now stands in ruins and fenced off. Visitors are not allowed inside; one can only look at the building from outside. Its brick facade and stone-cut walls still look imposing, but there's not much to do other than stand outside and click a few photographs.See more..
4.5Hamilton House(58 reviews) - Really pretty place with good trails Historic Sites • Gardens
Shipping merchant Jonathan Hamilton built this striking Georgian mansion c. 1785. Its picturesque situation on a bluff overlooking the Salmon Falls River made it an ideal location for Hamilton’s shipping business and, more than a hundred years later, for the summer retreat of Emily Tyson and her stepdaughter Elise.Today, Hamilton House reflects the occupancy of the Tysons in the early twentieth century and is recognized as one of the region's quintessential Colonial Revival-style country estates. The house features two whimsical murals commissioned by the women as well as antique furnishings and handcrafted decorative arts they collected. The elaborate perennial garden, with its charming garden cottage, provides visitors with a place to stroll and picnic overlooking the river. Please visit nearby Jackson House, Governor John Langdon House, Rundlet-May House, Sarah Orne Jewett House, and the Sayward-Wheeler House.See more..
4.5Fort Gorges(51 reviews) - A hidden gem in Casco Bay Monday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites
Tour this iconic Civil War-era Maine coast fort and help preserve it by supporting the nonprofit dedicated to preserving it. Book your tour or private event with Friends Of Fort Gorges today.See more..
Stop by this community college campus and witness the remains of Fort Preble, no repurposed into the college buildings. The buildings are identified as to their original use, such as Headquarters, Hospital, Lighthouse Keepers Quarters, etc. There's also the remains of the original lighthouse tower up on the hill away from the water, but right in the middle of the campus. You'll enjoy this piece of history, easy to get to and free of charge. Worth your time.See more..
4.0Winslow Homer's Studio(26 reviews) - Feeling Homer's Maine coast Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites
The Prouts Neck studio of the famed artist.See more..
Writer Sarah Orne Jewett, author of THE COUNTRY OF THE POINTED FIRS, spent much of her life in this stately Georgian residence, owned by her family since 1819. Jewett drew on the house for inspiration for her novel DEEPHAVEN and often wrote at the desk in the upper hall overlooking the active town center.Jewett and her older sister Mary inherited the house in 1887. Decorating the house for their own use, the sisters expressed both a pride in their family's past and their own independent, sophisticated tastes. The result is an eclectic blend of eighteenth-century architecture, antiques, and old wallpapers with furnishings showing the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement.See more..
4.0The Wire Bridge(23 reviews) - The Historic New Portland Bridge Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Bridges
I’ve seen a lot of reviews about the lack of information on the bridge or how it’s not worth the trip. The Wire Bridge is a historic bridge in Maine and most likely, the only wire bridge of its kind IN THE WORLD. It was placed on the National Register in 1970 and is a focal point to the residents of NP as well as surrounding communities. It’s a fishing hole, a swim hole, a picnic area and a great place to soak up the sun or take unique pictures. It’s not a tourist trap or LL Bean...its a historic bridge, a one of a kind and a joy to those in the communitySee more..
4.5Old Gaol(23 reviews) - rare opportunity to feel history thru a period building Speciality Museums • Historic Sites
5.0First Amendment Museum at the Gannett House(21 reviews) - Great Educational Trip! Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • History Museums
The mission of the First Amendment Museum is to inspire all Americans to live and love their First Amendment freedoms. Situated in the historic Guy P. Gannett house, just steps from the State Capitol in Augusta, Maine, the First Amendment Museum offers limited, reserved guided tours. The tours are forty-five minutes to an hour long, and focus on the First Amendment and the history of the Gannett family who once lived in this historic home. Audience participation, feedback, and photography are encouraged! Please note that while tours are free of charge, donations are welcome. We are working within the guidelines based on the State of Maine standards to ensure your safety and the safety of our staff. These guidelines include: - Masks are required - Tours must be booked in advance - Groups of no more than 6, please We would love to have you visit our institution, hear your feedback, and we look forward to seeing you!See more..
An Italianate mansion with farmhouse and barn that offers outdoor sleigh rides, cross country ski lessons and winter festivals.See more..
4.0Elizabeth Perkins House(9 reviews) - Old House Historic Sites • History Museums Perkins, the founder of the Old York Historical Society, used to spend time here with Mark Twain.See more..
4.5Lovejoy Bridge(8 reviews) - Interesting covered bridge! The shortest in Maine! Historic Sites • Bridges
I just happened to be in the area so I made sure to see the bridge while I was there. So glad I did! It’s a gorgeous little 19th century bridge in a very bucolic area! If you’re in the area, I’d highly recommend fitting it in, but i wouldn’t suggest going out of your way to see it as there are so many all over New England and there isn’t much else to visit in the area. The bridge has lovely red trim and appears to be perched on a couple of piles of rocks at either end. The river is slow-flowing with sandy beaches and is surrounded by gorgeous fall colors if you time it right! See more..
This is an interesting view of a 19th-century iron-smelting operation in the Maine woods. There's not too much left of what was a large-ish industrial operation -- for a more complete view, check out Hopewell Furnace in Hopewell, PA. But it's interesting to contemplate the days when work was work.See more..
5.0South Solon Meetinghouse(4 reviews) - Am I in the Italian countryside? Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals
I love simple white wooden New England churches, but this one is very special. This Gothic Revival rural church dates from 1842 and its interior is filled with floor-to-ceiling frescoes throughout, painted from 1952 through 1957 by 13 artists from the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. The ceiling fresco is particularly remarkable, as is the church's interior with its original pews, podium, choir loft, and leaded windows. One could easily spend hours here taking in the art, serenity, and overall beauty of the place. Normally you only find churches like this in Europe. It was the highlight of my day trip to the Skowhegan area.See more..
This was in the 1800s a village. All that’s left is the furnace and an unidentified stone dome structure. It’s a wonderful place for children to run and play There are two roads for hiking ATV Or bikes. Also we saw two trails. We followed a roads that can easily be used to access to a boat ramp on the Red River. See more..
5.0Smithfield General Store(3 reviews) - A must try place Monday: 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM Historic Sites
Our store will take you back in time, where old ways aren't forgotten while providing modern amenities. Forget the mad rush of life; let time stand still a few minutes, chat with local folks over coffee and enjoy the "old times". Order some of the best local food around, sit outside and enjoy your meal while enjoying the cool, clean Maine breeze blowing. The old ways aren't forgotten.See more..
This lovely setting in South Bridgton affords magnificent views through spacious fields. The house is full of antique furniture and provides a glimpse into rural Maine's past. If you're lucky, you can spend some time chatting with Caroline out on the porch.See more..
I went here with my cousin and it was so relaxing! There’s a loop in one of the path that’s worth the time! Personally, I love being in nature, so I really enjoyed this. The leaves were nice and colorful, so it made for a very scenic walk. See more..
5.0Old Red Church(2 reviews) - Historic New England red wooden church. Monday: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Historic Sites
The First Parish Meetinghouse in Standish Village, Maine is known as the Old Red Church. Built in 1804, it's a rural Federal period building and was first a church then an academy, and it's now a museum that's open a few days a week and by appointment. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a striking structure, especially because it's painted red and stands out from the typical New England white wooden church. Oh, it's also haunted.See more..
3.5Loring Military Heritage Center(2 reviews) - Loring Heritage Center Trip August 2019 Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Military Bases & Facilities
Traveled to the Loring Heritage Center located on the former Loring Air Force Base in August 2019 as the center was having an Open House regarding the 25th year since Loring Air Force Base was closed in 1994. There was three days of activities regarding the closing of the base which include a B-52 Fly By on Sunday the 25th of August. Was well worth the time to attend and tour the former base, sadly like other Military Bases or Functions there will not be any of the original Military Members, Military Families or Civil Service Employees around. Hopefully the Loring Heritage Center will educate people about the U S Air Force and its people who either worked or lived on the base as well as the surrounding area to their life as it was in the 1940's thru the middle 1990's.See more..
1.0Bartlettyarns Inc.(1 review) - Open House at an Old Fashioned Spinning Mill Spent 2-3 hours Speciality & Gift Shops • Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks On the first Friday and Saturday of August each year Bartlett Mill stops production and gives tours of their yarn spinning mill. They tell about taking in the raw wool fresh from shearing through coloring & spinning the processed wool into yarns on machines built prior to 1948. If you enjoy vintage machinery and early industrial production you are going to value this tour. If you knit and crochet 100% wool yarn or felt 100% wool roving then you will value this tour and learn lots of interesting bits of information about the whole process. There is wonderful gift and product store available to shop in with yarns, tools and gifts. There is a picnic table under the trees near a stream and bringing a picnic lunch is about the only way you are going to get lunch. There is a Port-A-Potty available.See more..
4.0Brickett Place(1 review) - Beautiful Frontier House in the Maine Mountain Wilderness Historic Sites On the Pequawket Trail (ME 113) was a turnout to trailhead parking for Bickford Brook Trail (and other trails) and this magnificent old house. A forest ranger was onsite to collect WMNF user fees. The Federal-style brick house (built 1812-1816) was on the National Register of Historic Places (1982). Its bricks were hand-made locally. Tours were available during open hours. Its interior was closed during my stop, but its exterior was beautiful. Parking was in a dirt lot. I liked all that I found here; I disliked nothing.See more..
In Maine over a weekend, I happened upon the First Baptist Church of North Berwick when I stopped by the Cumberland Farms across the street. The most striking thing about this wooden church that caught my attention was that it was not a white clapboard church. It appeared to be an older historic building. Later research revealed that it was the oldest continuously operating Baptist Church in Maine. It was founded in June of 1678. At that time, Maine was still a province of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a colony that was sanctioned by the King of England. The church marked two milestones in: 1) religious freedom; and, 2) the separation of church and state. At one time, it was illegal to be a Baptist in Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Just over a century later, Baptist beliefs helped form the wording of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. For its historic significance and distinctive architectural features, I rate the First Baptist Church of North Berwick at 4.25 and recommend a look-see to anyone interested in historic sites and/or older churches. If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.See more..
4.0First Parish Congregational Church(1 review) - PRETTY NEW ENGLAND WHITE CLAPBOARD CHURCH Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals
Lebanon was first settled it in 1743 and incorporated 1767. The church was established sometime in that period. There was no dated plaque on the building. I tried to research the exact year at the library, but the historical society records on file there didn’t have the information. It was a pretty New England church with white clapboards, a cupola, and a belfry. The unusual thing about this church was that the front of the church faced the parking lot. The back of the church faced Jim Grant Road. The top of the weathervane had something with a design that I couldn’t quite make out. It may have been a fish shape. For its classic architecture for a New England church, I rate First Parish Congregational Church at 4.25. If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.See more..
The John Paul Jones Historic Site is the park located on US-1 just over the state line into Maine from the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Bridge near Warren’s Lobster House. The site is named for John Paul Jones, father of the US Navy, because the USS Ranger, his sloop of war, was built at a shipyard nearby in 1777. He also lived nearby in Portsmouth while the ship was built. This long narrow park contains memorials. The largest is the Maine Sailors and Soldiers Memorial (WW I) which is near the bridge. The smallest is easily missed. It’s small and at the opposite end. It’s the Sloop Ranger Memorial that looks more like a gravestone with a plaque on it. I visited both during my walk through this park. The best way to get to the park is to walk over after dining at Warren’s Lobster House as there is no parking on US-1. I rate the John Paul Jones Historic Site at 4.0 and recommend a visit. If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.See more..
5.0Moses Mason House(1 review) - History relived Historic Sites Built in 1913, this nine-room house is filled with paintings of foliage and seascapes.See more..
4.0Congregational Church Of Wells(1 review) - PICTURESQUE HISTORIC CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Churches & Cathedrals
Driving on US-1, I came to the Congregational Church of Wells. I’d passed it hundreds of times. I had time to stop to admire it on this trip. It was obviously built sometime in the 1800’s. I did not see a date plaque on the building. A little research revealed that this congregation is the original First Congregational Church in Wells, although today’s location is not the original location. The congregation itself dates back to 1642 when Rev. John Wheelwright and some of his followers moved up from Boston after the Court of Massachusetts ordered him out for preaching Puritan beliefs. The congregation went through a number of changes over the years. Due to differences in beliefs and distances from the original church, several other churches were formed. One was the Second Congregational Church. With help from the historical society, I learned that present church structure was built in 1862. And, after fundraising, the tower, spire, and belfry were added in 1868 – 1869. The front of the church has one window on each side of the center entrance and a third window over the entrance. Each side of the church has three similar windows. They resemble lancet windows. With the pointed top sections, I thought they had a Gothic architectural influence. I was glad that I was photographing the church while the large tree in front of the church had no leaves. I got an unobstructed view for the photo. For its architecture and picturesque setting, I rate the Congregational Church of Wells at 4.25. If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.See more..
4.0Founders Park(1 review) - PARK WITH HISTORIC HOUSE & PiCNIC AREAS Historic Sites
On vacation in Wells, I stopped by Founders Park one afternoon to see the park’s points of interest. Admission was free. There were several picnic tables in shaded areas around the park and a short walking path. Back from the road was a boulder with a memorial plaque with all the names of the town founders. Nearby was the John Wells House. It was a Cape style home. The plaque on the house indicated that it was built in 1710. It was in good condition for a building that old. There was also a barn that appeared to be of a later period. I rate Founders Park at 4.0. If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.See more..
The original Storer Garrison was rebuilt and has since been moved from the original site, but it didn’t go far. Mike McDermott, owner of Mike Clam Shack which is diagonally across US Route 1, bought it and moved it to the back of his parking lot. What remains at the original site is a small park with a commemorative monument adjacent to Garrison Suites Motel & Cottages. There’s a small covered bridge that leads from the motel’s parking lot to the park. The garrison had a role during the French and Indian Wars. I rate the Storer Garrison State Historic Site at 4.0. It’s worth a stop. If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.See more..
Cumston Hall(0 review) Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Libraries Cumston Hall is an architectural marvel located in the middle of Monmouth, ME.See more..
