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Abbe Museum
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums [Edit]
26 Mount Desert StRte 3
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
(207) 288-3519
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
2 reviews for Abbe Museum
2 reviews in English
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Review from Kathleen H.
Beverly, MA
10/21/2007
The Abbe Museum is worth a stop on your trip to MDI and Acadia National Park - it is located right across the street from the village green in Bar Harbor. It's pretty cheap to get in, and a good way to spend a couple of hours, especially on a rainy afternoon.
The Abbe offers and introduction to Native American culture in Maine past and present. There is a gallery that usually has some kind of local art exhibit that rotates regularly.
Some of the basketwork is really astounding, and I enjoy the language exhibits, which include both transcription and listening stations.
AND. . .what is really great? On the lower level - clean nice restrooms, and a learning center for the kids, which consists of native american-originated puzzles and hand games around the perimeter of the round, fully windowed room, bean bags to sit in, a huge drawing pad with lots of crayons, and some really excellent picture books telling various native american tales. There is very soothing drum and chant music piped in, which seems to calm the savage beasties.( I'm always much calmer after an hour there).
Last time I was there, as my daughter designed a beautiful rug at one of the art stations, I learned about a tribe that gave a large amount of their meager funds for relief of people affected by the Irish potato famine - because after the Trail of Tears, they felt they had to help others who dealt with starvation and unjust loss. WOW.
So, hey, it's educational! Stop by. -
Review from Susanne J.
Philadelphia, PA
10/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
The Abbe Museum is a good way to spend the day once you've had your fill of Acadia National Park or other outdoor pursuits. I didn't find it to be the most fascinating museum I've ever visited, but I certainly learned a good deal about Native American culture in Maine and the surrounding islands. I was not a fan of the one hall that features a display of excerpts from Native newspapers, etc because it was difficult to understand the point of the exhibit. It was utterly too much reading to keep me interested and everything seemed out of context. I really enjoyed the examples of tribal basketry and other handicrafts. The time line also is very informative in helping one visualize Maine as it evolved as a landscape and state. I wonder if I might have enjoyed the original Abbe Museum in Acadia more. It would have been nice to have more artifacts on display or an exhibit that focused more on cultural heritage in the past and the present. I would avoid the gift shop as it didn't seem to have any fascinating offerings. They do sell handmade baskets from local artisans, but I don't know many people interested in forking over $200 for something the size of a baseball even if it is handmade. They do have a treasure hunt with reward to keep children occupied which I am sure pleases many a weary parent.
