Dive into the rich maritime heritage of Maine at the Maine Maritime Museum, located on the picturesque banks of the Kennebec River in Bath. This expansive museum offers a captivating glimpse into Maine's seafaring past through engaging exhibits, historic shipyard sites, and an original 19th-century shipbuilder's home. Whether you're exploring the vast collection of maritime artifacts, taking a scenic river cruise, or participating in hands-on activities, the museum provides a comprehensive and immersive experience that highlights the profound impact of maritime activities on the region's culture and development. Perfect for history buffs and families alike, the Maine Maritime Museum offers a unique journey through the lore and legacy of Maine's connection to the sea.
Our first stop is Maine Maritime Museum in the town of Bath.
First we're going to check out the tugboat pilot house replica.
Oh there, there, okay.
That's why it's called a tugboat.
Oh wait, it makes a different sound?
Okay that might...
This feels kind of crazy, it's like I'm watching a time lapse.
This gallery is Woman Behind the Lens and it's from three female photographers
that took photos over a hundred years ago.
This captures life in Maine and it doesn't look too different from what I've seen now.
We've only been in Maine for one day.
It's a lot more rural than home and even a bit more rural than what I thought it would be.
This is a new form of art that I've never seen.
It's made from whale teeth and I especially like the ship over there.
This exhibit is Sea Change.
Are we underwater?
Look, there's a fish.
Now we're gonna make art out of trash.
I'm making a jellyfish right now.
So all I did is I took a bunch of these bags and I made them like the tentacles
and that's the body over here.
Maybe, maybe I'll give the jellyfish a face or something.
Oh yeah, that's good.
They have boat cruises that are included with admission
but unfortunately we won't have time to stay for that.
There's a white sculpture there and a white sculpture there.
I believe that that's one end to one end of the Wyoming
which was the largest wooden vessel and it was capable of carrying 6,000 tons of coal.
We're entering the Lobstering Exhibit
which is one of the industries that Maine is best known for.
Oh look, it's a seat for you.
Lobster, oh made out of lobster traps.
I like lobster traps but I do like seats.
It's pretty comfy.
So all the lobster we eat in California came from here, I guess.
The lobster traps used to be wooden but now they're made of steel
and this lobster over here, this makes me feel bad for eating them
because he's holding them like a cute pet.
Go ahead.
Wow.
It doesn't take much.
There you go.
Drum roll.
Oh no, it crashed.
Oh it crashed, oh no.
And that is the Maine Maritime Museum.
My favorite part was the traditional ship launching demonstration
because he told us how ships are launched in real life and we even got to see it in a model.
That was my favorite part too but I also enjoyed the Lobster Exhibit
and all the artwork in there.
I think this is a great first stop for us in Maine
because it really showed us a lot about the local stuff that's going on with the sea and the ships.
And the lobsters.
On to our next stop.
