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Conway Homestead-Cramer Museum
Off U.S. Route 1 at the Camden-Rockport line
The Conway Homestead, an 18th Century restored farmhouse, is one of the oldest structures in the region. The Conway Barn is typical of 19th-century pegged construction and houses a collection of carriages, sleighs, and farm implements. A working blacksmith shop, 1820 maple sugar house, Victorian privy and herb garden complete the historic complex.
The Cramer Museum houses the Camden-Rockport Historical Society's Collection of period costumes, paintings, documents, and regional memorabilia. The main gallery features changing exhibits during the summer months. The Conway Homestead-Cramer Museum is listed on National and State Registers of Historic Sites. It is open July and August, Monday through Thursday Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—or by appointment in June and September. For additional information, contact Marlene Hall at 207-236-2257.
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Rockland Historical Society
(formerly known as the Shore Village Historical Society)
Headquarters and Exhibits at the Rockland Public Library, Rockland
Located in the lower level of the Rockland Public Library with its own private entrance, the Rockland Historical Society houses the entire Edwin Libby Post G.A.R. collection of Civil War memorabilia, plus an extensive collection of artifacts from Rockland's lime, fishing, and shipbuilding industries, and numerous examples of early Rockland memorabilia. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 noon to 5 p.m.; other days and hours by appointment. Admission free, donations welcomed. A variety of program meetings several times a year are open to the public, membership is encouraged. 207-594-6193. Mailing address: Rockland Historical Society, P.O. Box 1331, Rockland, ME 04841.
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Thomaston Historical Society
Thomaston, Maine
The Thomaston Historical Society, the only original building remaining of the General Henry Knox estate is home to the Thomaston Historical Society. This 1795 brick structure, once a farmhouse for the men who worked on the estate, can be found at the foot of Knox St. The Society's small museum is rich with the artifacts of Thomaston's unique history of ship building during the era of full rigged sailing vessels and schooners that once plied the oceans and made the town's occupants wealthy. The collection includes many historic photographs of those vessels and the houses belonging to the local captains, merchants and artisans. Ships' logs and sail making equipment; records of births, deaths and marriages dating back two hundred years; listings of Thomaston sea captains, cargoes and the ships that carried them are part of the collection. Oil paintings of some of our best known residents are examples of the opulence in Thomaston during that most romantic of historic times. Collections of letters from several noted families are open to scholars for research. The society has produced many books of town history that are available for purchase as well as nineteenth century maps for viewing and copies of photographs of historic houses and events. Museum hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons during June, July and August from 2 - 4 pm or any time by appointment at 207-354-2314 (Margaret McCrea), 207-354-0529 (Louisa Crane) or 207-354-8835 (Eve Anderson) or by email at katsmeow@adelphia.net or by email at Cruzinart@gmail.com . Or contact us by postal mail at: P.O. Box 384, Thomaston ME 04861. Meetings open to the public are held on the second Tuesday of the month from May - November at 7:30 pm. A wide variety of programs deal with subjects related to Maine and Thomaston history, boat building, old house restoration and other topics of interest in the area.
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Farnsworth Homestead (c. 1850)
Elm Street, Rockland, adjacent to Farnsworth Museum
Well-preserved Greek Revival home with original Victorian furnishings and decor illustrating the lifestyle of a successful 19th Century merchant family. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open Memorial Day weekend to July 4, Tuesday through Sunday, 10am - 5 pm; July 4 through Columbus Day, open daily from 10 am - 5 pm. Homestead included with Museum admission. Call 207-596-6457.
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The General Henry Knox Museum
Thomaston, at the intersection of U.S.Route l and Maine Route 131 South
Come visit Montpelier! The magnificent 22-room museum houses the furniture, family portraits, china and silver of General Knox (1750–1806). After serving as Chief of Artillery during the Revolutionary War and Secretary of War in George Washington's first cabinet, Henry Knox retired to his estate in Thomaston in 1795. During the summer season, the museum and gift shop are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, with the last guided tours beginning at 3 p.m. Tours are on the hour from Memorial Day weekend through the month of June; on the half-hour and hour during July and August; on the hour from September through Columbus Day weekend. The Museum is closed Sundays and Mondays. During the winter season the museum and gift shop are open by appointment. Special programs are held throughout the year. For more information, call 207-354-8062.
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Rockland's Historic Main Street
Rockland's Main Street Historic District has been recorded in the National Register of Historic Places for its many fine examples of Italianate, Mansard, Greek Revival, and Colonial Revival architecture. Downtown Rockland is undergoing an exciting revival as seen in several inspiring recent renovations of its commercial buildings..
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Thomaston's Historic Main Street
Whereas Rockland's Historic District is primarily comprised of commercial buildings, Thomaston has splendid sea captains’ homes in the Greek Revival and Federal styles along its major thoroughfare, Route 1, and several residential streets. On September 26, 2002, "Museum in the Streets" was unveiled. This is a walking tour of Thomaston historical sites marked by 25 panels illustrated with old photographs. This project, funded in part by MBNA Foundation, is the first "Museum in the Streets" to be installed in the United States. The Thomaston Public Library, the Thomaston Historical Society and the Town of Thomaston were sponsors of this installation. Patrick Cardon of Cushing is the designer of this museum concept. Mr. Cardon is a museum consultant who lived abroad for many years and has overseen the development and installation of many similar projects in European towns. All 25 panels provide historical information about the old pictures shown on each panel. Each is situated so the viewer may look at the historic photo and observe the same site as it exists today. Historical information on the panels is in English and in French in recognition of Maine's Franco-American heritage. Walking map brochures are available at every Main Street Thomaston merchant's shop, Thomaston Town Office, Thomaston Public Library and the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce. For more information: The Museum in the Streets, LLC, P.O. Box 11, Cushing, ME 04563.
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Union Historical Society
343 Common Road, Union
Founders Day is an annual celebration honoring the early settlers of Union held each year on the Saturday in July closest to July 19th. The Union Historical Society is housed in the Robbins House, a charming house shared with the local library. Our collection includes a number of old photos and postcards of Union, family histories and interesting local artifacts. We offer a brochure of a self-guided tour of sites from the historical novel, COME SPRING by Ben Ames Williams. Copies of the book are for sale along with several other local publications. A tour of the waterways is available to allow people to see sites as did the original settlers in the 1770's (to arrange a tour, call Lyle Cramer at 207-233-2979). Call for information. Open Wednesday and Saturday, from 10 am to 12 noon. Program meetings on the first Wednesday of month at 7:30 pm, March through December. The Society maintains three properties. The Old Townhouse is available for rent. 207-785-5444. Email: unionhis@midcoast.com.
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Vinalhaven Historical Society
High Street, Vinalhaven
Open Wednesday - Sunday from June 8 through September 18, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and at other dates and times by appointment. Admission free (donations welcomed). The Society has an extensive collection of photographic and genealogical records. The museum includes artifacts from the Civil War, Vinalhaven schools, homes, farms and the fishing & horse net industries, as well as an impressive exhibit of the once booming granite quarrying and shipping industry. Contact Susan Radley, 207-863-4410, P.O. Box 339, Vinalhaven ME 04863. Email: vhhissoc@midcoast.com.
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