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Abbe Museum

26 Mount Desert Street, P.O. Box 286, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
207-288-3519
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Ranked #12 of 23 attractions in Bar Harbor
Type: History Museums, Speciality Museums
Owner description: The Abbe Museum shares the history and culture of Maine’s Native people, collectively known as the Wabanaki (Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Micmac, and... more » Owner description: The Abbe Museum shares the history and culture of Maine’s Native people, collectively known as the Wabanaki (Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Micmac, and Maliseet), and operates from two locations in Bar Harbor. At our downtown location, visitors find dynamic exhibitions and activities interspersed with spaces for quiet reflection. At the Abbe’s historic trailside museum at Sieur de Monts Spring, guests can experience early 20th century archaeological discoveries informed by 21st century science. The downtown Abbe Museum serves guests year-round, while the Sieur de Monts Spring location is open seasonally from mid-May to mid-October. Admission includes both locations. Located in an historic downtown district, we offer clean restrooms, several nearby restaurants and Bar Harbor attractions, and nearby motorcoach parking. Other amenities may be offered with notice. The History of the Abbe Museum: First opened to the public in 1928, the Abbe Museum is named for its founder, Dr. Robert Abbe, an eminent New York physician and beloved summer resident of Bar Harbor. During the 1920s, Dr. Abbe assembled a collection of early Native American artifacts found in the Frenchman Bay area which launched the museum at Sieur de Monts Spring. In 2001, we opened our second facility in a renovated historic landmark in downtown Bar Harbor. Today, the Abbe offers changing exhibitions and a robust programming schedule for all ages. Our museum shop is a destination for unique gifts and art and shipping is offered. « less
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61 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    35
    16
    7
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    1
Date Rating
Top Contributor
86 reviews 86 reviews
45 attraction reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013

You need to set aside some time and do this properly worth the visit. It is fascinating to learn about Maine from this viewpoint. You leave feeling like a local rather than a tourist.

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See 8 more reviews by Southpawpoet for Bar Harbor
Kennebunkport, Maine
Top Contributor
52 reviews 52 reviews
23 attraction reviews
Reviews in 23 cities Reviews in 23 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2013

a well-done and interesting exhibit to learn more about Maine's different native americans. we saw an exhibit about guides both from the past and present day ones

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See 4 more reviews by kpter for Bar Harbor
Brunswick, ME
Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 May 2013

There is so much packed into the museum that you could stay all day. I was particularly impressed with the exhibit about Native America Guides.

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See 2 more reviews by Marty G for Bar Harbor
Bronx
Top Contributor
104 reviews 104 reviews
17 attraction reviews
Reviews in 52 cities Reviews in 52 cities
31 helpful votes 31 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 April 2013

The Abbey Museum does a great job in providing historic preservation of the native American tribes. There are great cultural events and presentations as well as children's workshops. This is a must see stop when visiting Bar Harbor if you have any interest in Native American Culture on the East coast.

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See 3 more reviews by MichaelBronx for Bar Harbor
Medford, Massachusetts
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 January 2013

The Abbe museum is a very interesting place. Give yourself some time to enjoy all the history, artifacts and learning that is available . Its much bigger than you think, and jammed packed with information. It was nice and cool change form the hot summer sun . They also have some beautiful handmade items for sale.

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See 2 more reviews by Theresa S for Bar Harbor
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Senior Contributor
39 reviews 39 reviews
14 attraction reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 January 2013

The exhibits were well presented and gave a good overview of local history. Particularly enjoyed the history of Bar Harbor.

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Blue Hill, Maine
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
8 attraction reviews
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 December 2012

Must rate this very good to excellent with the following caution. This is a specialty site devoted to early island history buffs. The garden alongside is small and relatively dull. This is a place children will quickly become bored and restless. The displays are professional and unique. Small in size but the only place on the island to find early... More

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See 7 more reviews by Lloyd R for Bar Harbor
Cinnamon C, Manager at Abbe Museum, responded to this review
7 January 2013

Thank you visiting the Abbe Museum earlier this year and for your kind words about the Abbe. In re: to your concerns about children's entertainment, I am wondering if you visited the downstairs of the museum where we have an interactive children's room? We always have space for kids and families to interact in the museum and we regularly integrate... More

San Antonio, Texas
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 November 2012

This museum showed how the Wabanaki people not only survived, but thrived with the ever-changing immigration onto the Desert Island, Their meditation room was cool!

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See 11 more reviews by Cheryl S for Bar Harbor
delaware
Senior Contributor
41 reviews 41 reviews
21 attraction reviews
Reviews in 26 cities Reviews in 26 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 November 2012

While traveling around Acadia, we saw mention of Abbe Museum. However, it wasn't until we visited Bar Harbor did we encounter this cultural institution. First, the female employee who we spoke with was forthcoming about local history. Then, we walked the exhibits and learned a great deal about Native Americans and the wealthy who frequented the Bar Harbor area. The... More

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Lebanon, CT
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 November 2012

This museum is dedicated to the Habanaki tribes that lived in Maine historically and presently. The museum is laid out nicely and the archaeological displays from several digs were well presented and quite interesting. The main museum is in Bar Harbor and the older original museum in in Acadia National Park off the Loop Road. I understand there are many... More

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See 4 more reviews by aablodgett for Bar Harbor

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