Penobscot Marine Museum

Penobscot Marine Museum Review

Along a street running up from Main Street in downtown Searsport, this museum explores the maritime culture of the Penobscot Bay region. Exhibits, artifacts, children's activities, and paintings are in six nearby buildings, most from the first half of the 19th century. The museum's other buildings include barns where small craft are displayed. One of the former sea captain's homes has period rooms. Outstanding marine art includes a notable collection of works by Thomas and James Buttersworth. There are photos of local sea captains; an exhibit on fishing; a collection of China-trade merchandise; artifacts of life at sea; lots of scrimshaw; navigational instruments; tools from the area's history of logging, granite cutting, and ice-cutting; treasures collected by seafarers from around the globe; models of famous ships; and changing exhibits.