Somesville Historical Museum and Gardens
Somesville Historical Museum and Gardens
Somesville Historical Museum and Gardens
4.5
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4.5
16 reviews
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freedom212121
Sacramento, CA306 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
According to the museum, this is the most photographed bridge on the east coast. Gorgeous setting and a wonderful memorial to a grandfather, a garden pathway in another's memory along with heirloom plants. Recommend a walk down the street to Brookside Cemetery.
Written 21 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zendude
New Jersey51 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
This is a charming place to stop by and learn about the history of Mount Desert Island. The small Somerville Bridge is beautifully kept and cute that driver-bys almost stopped there constantly to take pictures of it and visit the museum and gardens.
We stopped by one late afternoon just shortly before the museum closing time and the wonderful lady who worked there stayed almost an extra hour and told us great stories about its exhibits.
We really glad we stop at this place and I hope this review will generate more visitors to the place as it is one of the most charming attractions on Mount Desert Island.
We stopped by one late afternoon just shortly before the museum closing time and the wonderful lady who worked there stayed almost an extra hour and told us great stories about its exhibits.
We really glad we stop at this place and I hope this review will generate more visitors to the place as it is one of the most charming attractions on Mount Desert Island.
Written 23 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teresa S
Concord, NC227 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
The museum is closed for the season, but it’s a very pretty location. The island is easy to get around. I would highly recommend stopping to read the history of the area and take pictures of the museum, bridge and selectsmen building.
Written 21 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NittanyL
Cary, NC228 contributions
Aug 2019
This is a very small, beautiful spot that we passed on our way to the Lighthouse. We had to stop for a picture. We stayed about 10 minutes. Very quaint. The museum was not open when we were there so can't comment on that.
Written 11 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RB1718
Bar Harbor, ME22 contributions
Feb 2016 • Solo
For over 25 years my wife and I have come to Mount Desert and we have eaten in the restaurants and seen all the paintings and seen the art stores featuring more pictures of Somesville. And starting in the spring going through the summer and finally the fall everyone thinks they have seen SOMESVILLE. I submit that like myself you all have missed SOMESVILLE unless you spent more than hour and investigated the area fully. The locals put strap iron braces to hold flower boxes that will bloom through tourist season. When you combine that view with the beautiful Norman Rockwell buildings you have pictures that will win awards.
This beauty covers up a lot hidden beauty. If you would spend some time walking around you would see of the inhabitants painting, sewing, or doing some other projects while looking out the back windows of the library. When you look out those windows you will see that what looked like a "pond" from route 102 actually was a dam that has a large change when the tide changes. The pond looks the same but by walking around you would find that the library looks not only over the water coming in from Somes Sound but on the side of what is a dam were steps for 2 variety of fish that climb the steps during their life cycle. They climb into the"pond" and then go under route 102 and then under the pictured bridge. During the 3 season mentioned there are enough leaf trees that block any further view. Beyond the bridge however are stone stairs for a continuation of a fish latter. And when you go up about 3 buildings and turn right on the road you will see these curved latters. The water runs through the trees and if you follow the brook for another 100 yards you come to a nice straight latter leading to a large pond where I am told the fish leave their eggs. What I am trying to say is there is a wealth of views to be enjoyed in winter months making Mt. Desert a great place to visit in the winter months.
This beauty covers up a lot hidden beauty. If you would spend some time walking around you would see of the inhabitants painting, sewing, or doing some other projects while looking out the back windows of the library. When you look out those windows you will see that what looked like a "pond" from route 102 actually was a dam that has a large change when the tide changes. The pond looks the same but by walking around you would find that the library looks not only over the water coming in from Somes Sound but on the side of what is a dam were steps for 2 variety of fish that climb the steps during their life cycle. They climb into the"pond" and then go under route 102 and then under the pictured bridge. During the 3 season mentioned there are enough leaf trees that block any further view. Beyond the bridge however are stone stairs for a continuation of a fish latter. And when you go up about 3 buildings and turn right on the road you will see these curved latters. The water runs through the trees and if you follow the brook for another 100 yards you come to a nice straight latter leading to a large pond where I am told the fish leave their eggs. What I am trying to say is there is a wealth of views to be enjoyed in winter months making Mt. Desert a great place to visit in the winter months.
Written 7 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maurene_K
Dover, NH12,282 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
The Somesville Selectman’s Building & Thaddeus Shepley Somes Memorial Bridge make up the most-photographed scene on Mount Desert Island. They are on the grounds of the Mount Desert Island Historical Society’s museum that is diagonally across from the Somesville Public Library.
The building was constructed during the 1780s by John Somes.
The scene with the mill stream is picturesque, relaxing. Nearby are gardens on museum grounds.
There is a small parking lot at the museum.
Somes Sound can be seen on the other side of the road.
I recommend this as a nice rest and photo stop.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
The building was constructed during the 1780s by John Somes.
The scene with the mill stream is picturesque, relaxing. Nearby are gardens on museum grounds.
There is a small parking lot at the museum.
Somes Sound can be seen on the other side of the road.
I recommend this as a nice rest and photo stop.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
Written 18 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LovesPhotoOps
Hoover, AL1,215 contributions
Jun 2022
We stopped for about five minutes to take photos of the pretty white wooden selectmen’s building (circa 1780) and bridge and their reflection in the pond, and to walk around the gardens. It was about 8:20am so the museum was not open.
Written 4 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Walter K
Saint James, NY644 contributions
Jul 2019
Great place to stop for some beautiful pictures. There is a museum there but it was closed. Just a quick stop as your driving around Mt Desert Island
Written 22 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
directorfantasies
Tampa, FL1,287 contributions
Oct 2018
Have been to this bridge 3 times during visits to Mount Desert Island, Maine. The first time I spotted it speeding past on my way to photograph sunset at Bass Harbor Lighthouse. Brought my husband a couple of days later. Love photographing it and the surrounding area. It may well be the most photographed bridge in Maine. There are gardens to explore, a museum (which has never been open when I have been there) and don't miss the pond across the street as well that empties into Somes Sound. On our second visit, the pond was full of Mallard ducks & Canada geese who were very cooperative to let me photograph them. On our third visit, as I was focusing on the bridge, I heard a rustle next to me. I carefully turned & there was a chipmunk on a tree trunk only a foot or so away. I got 3 shots before he scurried off. Do walk all around the bridge & council meeting house to admire the bridge from all angles. The bridge is great in all seasons.
Written 4 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tabi_travels
Southold, NY274 contributions
Sept 2018
Beautiful place for photos and really nice gardens. A quick stop coming from or going to Bass Harbor. Cute little museum with a few lovely exhibits.
Written 8 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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