Abbe Museum
26 Mt Desert St, Bar Harbor, Main, 04609
A century ago, the Abbe Museum was founded to showcase the history and culture of the Wabanaki Nations, the Indigenous peoples whose ancestral land includes what is now Bar Harbor. The museum’s collection of 70,000 objects is complemented by educational programming and community events, and the Abbe has a satellite location as well, at Sieur de Monts Spring in Acadia National Park.
The basics
The Abbe Museum’s extensive collections span more than 12,000 years of Wabanaki history, and reflect a collaborative approach, featuring artifacts and artworks that are both contemporary and historic. Some exhibits include artifacts from tribes outside of New England.
Paid educator-guided group tours are available by advance request through the museum. You can also learn about the Abbe Museum as part of a tour of Bar Harbor. Some tours are self-guided walking or driving tours, while others are led by expert guides.
Things to know before you go
The research library and archives are not open to the public.
The core exhibit, People of the First Light, is available as an interactive digital exhibit online.
The gift shop sells local Indigenous artwork.
How to get there
The Abbe Museum is in downtown Bar Harbor. It’s within walking distance from many accommodations, but if you’re driving, street parking and general lot parking are available nearby. Visitors with disabilities may use the handicap parking spaces in the museum’s staff parking lot.
When to get there
Most sites in Bar Harbor operate on a seasonal schedule between late spring and mid-fall, including the Abbe Museum. In season, it’s typically open Monday to Friday, and many visitors spend an hour there. It’s closed on all federal holidays, excluding Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Plan a visit in July for the new Dawnland Festival of Arts and Ideas.
Learn more about Wabanaki history near Bar Harbor
The Abbe Museum extends its community-centered work beyond the museum. From June through September, you can join others for a free program called Cultural Connections in the Park. This educational meet-up takes place in Acadia National Park each Wednesday, offering more opportunities to learn about Wabanaki culture, from past to present.
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