Fodor's Expert Review Wendell Gilley Museum

Wendell Gilley (1904–83), master plumber-turned-renowned bird carver from Southwest Harbor, hunted ducks and game birds for recreation and food. Aspiring to preserve them through taxidermy he instead took up bird carving, producing some 10,000 works (mostly basswood). He sold the fine and to-scale carvings at his “Bird Shop,” a popular island tourist stop back in the day; his personal collection of 300-plus carvings—including ruffed grouse, upland sandpiper, American goldfinch, Atlantic puffin, and loon—is the foundation of the museum’s collection. On a large corner near downtown, with bird sculptures and placarding outside, it showcases his carvings and others as well as avian art. One gallery has changing exhibits; you might catch a contemporary artist’s show. A resident carver is at his workbench, not only carving but answering questions and helping visitors give it a go. Check the website for special events. You can buy carving kits in the museum workshop.