Victoria Mansion [ME]

Description

Victoria Mansion, also known as the Morse-Libby House, is widely regarded as the greatest Italian villa style residence in America. It was designed by New Haven architect Henry Austin and constructed between 1858 and 1860. Gustave Herter, one of the United States' first professional interior designers, coordinated the plasterwork, furniture, lighting fixtures, and fabrics within the building. His firm designed and manufactured all the furniture used—with influences from the Italian Renaissance to French Neoclassicism. Other highlights include decorative painting by Giuseppe Guidicini; gasoliers; the first documented smoking room in a U.S. private residence; and an extensive collection of stained glass.

The mansion offers tours; interactive programs, which meet the requirements of the Maine Learning Results, for school groups; a teacher preparation packet with worksheets, slides, and readings; and special events, including lectures.

Katahdin Iron Works State Historic Site [ME]

Description

The Katahdin Iron Works is located in rural Maine and was the state's only iron works installation. The iron works operated between 1843 and 1890, and today stands as a monument to the industrial age in Maine. Visitors can view the carefully preserved iron furnaces and buildings, which were restored in 1966. In addition to the Iron Works, the state historic site also offers many options for outdoor activity, including hiking and camping.

The site offers brief historical information and visitor information.

Milo Historical Society and Museum [ME]

Description

"The Milo Historical Society was formed in 1970 by a group of community members with an interest in collecting, preserving, and promoting the history and the heritage of the Town of Milo, Maine." In 1996, the society's museum was moved from the old Milo Town Hall into the oldest church building in the community. The museum itself features a collection of local artifacts as well as a historic archive.

The site offers eight photo albums, including photographs from the museum, historical information about the town of Milo, and an events calendar.

Vanceboro Historical Society [ME]

Description

The Vanceboro Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of Vanceboro, ME, named after William Vance, an unsavory politician who made vast sums of money through shady import and export business. Vanceboro is located on the border between the United States and Canada, and the historical society seeks to chronicle the past of the hardy townspeople who persevered in this frigid climate.

The society offers a small display of local artifacts. The website offers photo galleries of Vanceboro, the Vanceboro School, historical artifacts owned by the society, and the Maine Central Railroad. The site also offers information on recent society meetings.

Owls Head Transportation Museum [ME]

Description

The Owls Head Transportation Museum, located in Owls Head, ME, has more than 100 historic aircraft, automobiles, bicycles, carriages, and engines which are on permanent display. Overall, the museum "has one of the finest collections of pioneer-era aircraft and automobiles in the world." In addition, the museum is host to the Lang Education Center and Library, a research library containing 5000 books and over half a million photographs from local sources and the National Air and Space Museum. The Library is open by appointment.

The site offers detailed information on all educational programs offered by the museum, including classroom materials and even some lesson plans. In addition, the site offers visitor information, basic information regarding collections and exhibits, and an events calendar. Finally, the site offers an online card catalog for the Lang library, but actual access to the resources is only available by appointment.

Boothbay Railway Village [ME]

Description

The Boothbay Railway Village operates a narrow-gauge coal-fired steam train in a recreated historic village composed of locally significant historic structures. Additionally the museum exhibits one of the finest presentations of antique vehicles in New England.

The village offers exhibits, train rides, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events.

Bethel Historical Society, Regional Historic Center, and Historic Structures

Description

Founded in 1966, the Society provides visitors with a doorway to the past from its Regional History Center in historic Bethel Hill Village. The Society's Broad Street properties, the 1821 O’Neil Robinson House and the 1813 Dr. Moses Mason House, are both listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Open year-round, the Bethel Historical Society's Regional History Center offers more than a dozen period rooms and exhibit galleries where visitors can discover and explore the area's varied past. The Society's museum and library collections include a wide range of materials documenting the heritage of northern New England, with a major focus on western Maine and the White Mountain region of Maine and New Hampshire. Throughout the year, the Society provides lectures, courses, special exhibits, craft demonstrations, and educational activities for both members and the general public. The Robinson and Mason Houses also offer exhibits and tours.

The society offers research library access, lectures, and educational and recreational programs; the houses offer exhibits and tours.

Museums of Old York [ME]

Description

The Old York Historical Society, as the Museums of Old York, was founded more than 100 years ago to preserve the history and artifacts of York, Maine. Originally referred to as Gorgeana, York is one of New England's earliest colonial settlements. It also has the distinction of being the nation's first chartered city (1641) and first incorporated city (1642). Offering 37 period room settings and several galleries housed throughout nine historic museum buildings, the Museums of Old York showcases a wealth of early New England art, architecture, and decorative arts. The exhibits focus on the stories of southern Maine's men, women, and children and the world they created and lived in from the earliest settlement in the 1600s to the present day. Historic structures include the 1834 Remick Barn, the 1750 Jefferds' Tavern, the 1745 Old Schoolhouse, the 1742 Emerson-Wilcox House, the 1719 Old Gaol, the 1747 Ramsdell House, the 1740s John Hancock Wharf, the 1867 George Marshall Store, and the 1730 Elizabeth Perkins House.

The museums offer exhibits, tours, living history demonstrations, classes, and other educational and recreational events.

Sagadahoc Preservation [ME]

Description

The organization seeks to preserve and maintain the Bath area's architectural heritage through the creation of a historic district commission, the promotion of stewardship, and the use of protective covenants. One of its goals is to continue educational programs on architectural heritage in Bath's schools and to provide an architectural awareness to all.

The organization offers tours and educational programs.