maine maritime museum

Didn't know what to expect inside this kind of museum. Though I'm far from a "sailor" in any sense of the word, I still was fascinated by all that goes into a seafaring life. This museum is interesting, informative, very well laid-out and houses really beautiful things. I thoroughly enjoyed my time inside, and out, at this facility. I recommend that you take your time really absorbing the displays. Quite unique.

Missing the train was the best thing I could have done! I had really come to see the railway but I had come the wrong day of the week on a tight schedule, so wandering round the info at the railway station/Info Office, I found details of this museum.This Maritime Museum is a total triumph. Good signage, great parking, superb disabled access (auto doors etc.), Super friendly staff who guide you to the best deal, spacious display halls for the interior exhibits, clean and well appointed toilets, well marked, but only reasonably graded exterior pathways round the vast array of external exhibits.The shop was a real pleasure! High quality merchandise, well presented at fair prices, served by friendly and informed staff. I did not get to try the catering as we were hell bent on doing the Bath Iron Works trolley trip. This was worth coming for alone, with a great knowledgeable guide and explanatory pre tour film/slide show. In summary a great day out covering so much of the history of this State's rich and varied maritime history and its current role on a national level. Incidentally it lead me to read Zumwalt's biography!

The curated space holds a treasure trove of interesting artifacts. The on-the-water trips provide an excellent opportunity to see and appreciate Maine islands and lighthouses. The Bath Ironworks tour is mind boggling and the hands-on carpentry classes are fun for couples.

The Maritime Museum is a long time favorite of mine. It is wonderful for all ages and interests. It is a perfect place to bring guests visiting Maine and a great place to revisit if you live in Maine. Not to be missed!

A comprehensive look at the fishing, ship building and cargo transport industries in New England and especially in Maine is featured indoors with well-displayed artifacts, tools, memorabilia, pictures and detailed descriptions. Outdoors and displays in other buildings on the museum property continue the exploration particularly of the shipbuilding industry and lobstering. Guides are available during the day and give excellent informative tours. Cruises on the river of varying length and focus are also available as are tours of the Bath Iron Works which is close by. This place makes for a delightful excursion for all ages. You can even get a bite to eat at a little food shack on the property. We have made many visits with small children, grown children and adult friends and have never been disappointed. It is also a great place to go if the day is wet and you're searching for indoor entertainment as there is plenty to see just inside. There's a great gift shop too.

The Maine Maritime Museum, formerly the Bath Marine Museum, offers exhibits about Maine's maritime heritage, culture and the role Maine has played in regional and global maritime activities. It is set on the former Percy and Small Shipyard and includes five original 19th century buildings, a Victorian-era shipyard owner's home and New England's largest sculpture - a full size representation of the largest wooden sailing vessel ever built there, the six-masted schooner Wyoming. If your interest lies with the technical aspects of large wooden ship-building, you will not be disappointed. Problem is that is where the exhibits end and little mention is made of maritime commerce in the modern era, really puzzling as the active yards of Bath Iron Works lie just a short distance away. So, glad I finally visited, but likely will never return.

You don't want to miss taking in this museum when you are in the area. This is how a museum is supposed to be! Great informative exhibits.. helpful friendly staff.. beautiful building and groundsI never fail to learn something new each time!It eally doesn't have a lot to offer the youngest visitors.. for them it would be a bit dry.. but if they can be patient .. mom and dad will get a lot from the visit.I just wish it wasn't quite so expensive to go in... at $15 per adult.& $10 for kids... the trip can cost you a tidy sum

Being very much intereested in maritime history, I really enjoyed the exhibits. Most are a little static for kids but there is some really unique and well-presented stuff for buffs. And the views outside along the Kennebec River are beautiful.One exhibit that really stuck with me was one on "ghost ships." Disabled ships today can be sunk but wooden ships would stay afloat, sometimes for years, showing up in some unusual places.Nice gift shop too.

Designed with both the casual walk- through visitor and the serious scholar in mind. Era well-done. For me an hour was enough time, but one could spend hours there studying ship design and ship's logs, etc. The view of and information about the nearby General Dynamics shipyard was a plus. A negative: the walkway from the parking lot was a dangerous sheet of ice, and they did not seem to care.

I don't know much about boats (being from an inland state), but I learned a lot at this museum and really had a good time. They had some beautiful artifacts; my favorites were the ship figureheads.It was very cold and a little icy when we visited, so the outdoor exhibits were closed. I was disappointed, but understand their concern for safety. Hope to make it back someday when it's warmer so I can see everything else. I'd recommend visiting when warm, if possible -- but don't miss visiting even if it's cold!

If you live in Maine and can get to Bath...the Maine Maritime Museum is a truly amazing, fun, and educational experience. For young and old alike...something for everyone and at the same time a totally amazing learning experience. Anything and everything about Maine's seafaring history...from the fishing and lobstering industries...to the naval military of long ago to the present. A wonderful exhibit on the Maine Coast Guard Rescue teams with several riveting videos, controlled by you. Let the kids play on the pirate ship ouside...my charges as a nanny played there for two hours and all of us made several new friends. There is a boat cruise you can sign up for at an extra charge, but you can also tour a large boat right in the water...with several docents on board to explain the history and answer questions. In a separate building from the main museum, there is an amazing exhibit on the history of lobstering in Maine. A fabulous gift shop awaits you...so save at least 30 minutes for that! The views of the water and boats from the windows on the first floor are magnificent. Restrooms are spotless...and in the hallway by the restrooms are brochures for all there is to see and do as well as dining and accommodation information in the Bath area. Tickets are fairly priced (but not inexpensive), however, it is well worth the cost to keep this great museum up and running. I am not sure of the deal, but one entry fee (with a saved receipt or ticket stub...not sure which) gets you in a couple more times on contiguous days...great if you are on vacation in the area and can get back. A truly wonderful experience.

We went just after a thanksgiving snowstorm. The main yard (where you can see ship building and such) was closed. However, the main building collections were enough to keep us enthralled for several hours.

We visited here not really knowing what to expect. We were amazed by the grounds and history that we encountered! The size of the ships that were built there by hand was unbelievable. We toured the captains home and that was very interesting. It was worth the time to visit this gem of the north!

I had been to the Maine Maritime Museum many years ago when it was a fledgling museum in the 70's. I had enjoyed it then but had no idea it had grown to the size and collection it now displays. I had family visiting and we were looking for one more Maine thing to see before they returned home. We spent a full day at the museum and enjoyed the organization, ability to get really close to the artifacts and the information available. It is one of the many Maine treasures.

This is a gotta if you are at all interested in serious history. Many maritime exhibits. YYou cannot help but learn a lot.