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The Umbrella Cover Museum
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums [Edit]
62-B Island AvePeaks Island, ME 04108
(207) 766-4496
2 reviews for The Umbrella Cover Museum
2 reviews in English
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Review from Jessica F.
New York, NY
7/20/2008
Well, it's hard to know how to begin a review of this closet-sized museum on a tiny island, population 250, off the coast of Portland, Maine. I guess I will begin like this:
There is a museum dedicated to umbrella covers on a tiny island outside of Portland, Maine, accessible only by ferry.
It isn't a joke. It isn't ironic. It isn't fake. It isn't to be missed.
Nancy Hoffman, accordionist, singer and museum curatrix, takes her topic and her exhibits really seriously. We had the good fortune to stop in on July 4th, mere seconds--SECONDS--before Nancy locked the doors and headed out to a neighborhood barbeque. She kindly flung open the doors for us and began peppering us with a nonstop barrage of information, touristy tidbits and fun umbrella cover facts. She showed us some of her exhibit works-in-progress, and ended with asking us for our vote for the "sexiest" umbrella cover (the one with the stiletto heeled shoe shapes on it, natch).
Noticing my admiration for her trusty green accordion at the ready on a windsor chair, she took it up and began a rendition of the "Pennsylvania Polka" that would have done a PA native proud. Just as she was bringing it home, a commotion outside caught all of our attention.
It turned out to be the Peaks Island Independence Day Parade. Just about all the trucks on the island passed by, honking their horns, with people packed into them and on the flatbeds, dressed in red, white and blue, sparkly hats and deelybobbers abounding, faces painted, wigs on, Uncle Sams everywhere to be seen. Nancy didn't waste a second. She bolted outside and began a rousing rendition of "Grand Old Flag" as the cars progressed down Island Avenue, the main drag in town. Peter and I could do nothing but look on in a kind of rapt fascination as we bore witness to this charming and adorable sight.
I realize, of course, that I have said precious little about the museum exhibits themselves. That's because this is really the kind of place you have to see to believe. Foam core sheets are all over the walls, with hundreds of umbrella covers pinned to them. They tend to be categorized into small groups, like "green" or "promotions" or "liquor", each heading, logically, dealing with the subject matter of the umbrella cover. There are entire albums of umbrella covers. There is even an umbrella cover that was part of an encounter with Hillary Clinton.
Nancy sells all kinds of tschotchkes, in addition to several CDs of her own music, with her accordion band the Maine Squeeze, not to be confused with the NYC local legendary all-female accordion orchestra Main Squeeze, and her Klezmer and folk groups. We bought a Klezmer CD and I have to tell you, she isn't half bad!
You have GOT to come here when you're in Portland. Peaks Island is easily reached by ferry from the terminal on Commercial street and is well worth an afternoon, with cute shops, restaurants, cycling and a great beach all to be had within 15 minutes of downtown Portland. Where else can you see an umbrella cover museum???Listed in: Quirky places not in your…
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Review from Christina F.
New York, NY
7/9/2010
Wonderful, whimsical museum, totally worth a stop when you're on Peaks Island. Nancy 3 is really sweet, she even remembered me from a visit a few years ago! :)
