What to Do When it Rains in Maine
(If You're on the Midcoast)
By Sherry Ballou Hanson
Not every day Maine will bring brilliant sunshine dancing on the water. There
will be the occasional foggy morning with drizzle, which means no swimming
or sunbathing. If you're on vacation on the Midcoast of Maine, here are some
alternatives to sulking in your cottage or hotel room:
BOWDOIN COLLEGE in Brunswick is home to two outstanding museums
that do not charge an admission. The Museum of Art in Walker Art Building is
open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 500 p.m., and on Sunday
from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., year-round. Holdings in this fine museum include
the Winslow Homer Collection, old master prints, and works by 19th and 20th
century artists such as Rockwell Kent, Mary Cassatt and John Sloan. For those
with a thirst for adventure, Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum houses the
memorabilia of the arctic explorations of Bowdoin alumni Robert Peary and
Donald B. MacMillan. The Peary -MacMillan Arctic Museum maintains the
same hours as the Museum of Art. Both facilities are closed on Mondays and
on national holidays.
MAINE MARITIME MUSEUM on the banks of the Kennebec River in Bath
covers 10 acres and includes an authentic 19th century shipyard with 5 original
buildings and many demonstrations. The exhibition building houses the
striking collection of paintings, models and artifacts that attracts thousands of
visitors annually. Historic vessels are often docked here and the museum
offers a full schedule of cruises on the Kennebec River, usually on Tuesdays
and Saturdays. The museum is open 9:30-5:00 daily, year round. Admission is
$7.50 for adults, $4.75 for kids under 17, free under 6 years. There is a nice gift
shop on the premises. Call 207-443-1316 for more information.
FORT ANDROSS FLEA MARKET is an intriguing destination for a rainy
Saturday or Sunday morning in Brunswick. Be aware that this is a somewhat
informal event, meaning that most displays are open by 8:00 a.m., but not
always. This experience is worth the trip, however, as a recent visit, lasting far
longer than it should have, yielded a set of old Craftsman wrenches, some
vintage Elvis records, a tiffany lampshade, a car stereo, and a wall placque
featuring the horses from Marlboro Country that now hangs in this writer's
office.
WISCASSET'S OLD JAIL and the Jailer's House on Federal Street are a
delight for kids. The jail, begun in 1809 and finished in 1811, near the site of
the original settlement of Wiscasset, is suitably scary, built of forty-one-inch
granite blocks, with iron doors, leg irons, 100-year-old graffiti and other grisly
accouterments of prison life in the 1800s. New this season is the refurbished
Christmas parlor at the Jailer's House. The Jail is open July 1 through August
31, Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., the last tour starting at
4:00. Admission is $2.00 for adults, $1.00 for kids under 12.
PEJEPSCOT HISTORICAL SOCIETY, headquartered at 159 Park Row in
Brunswick, maintains three museum sites which will provide history buffs and
kids alike with an authentic blast from the past. The Pejepscot Museum, open
weekdays from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. the first Saturday
of each month, is free. Exhibits change with different themes that correspond to
events in the Brunswick area. The Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum at 226
Maine Street is located in Chamberlain's former home. The Civil War general
comes to life in these restored rooms and original furnishings. Tours available
by appointment, 207-729-6606. The Skolfield-Whittier House at 161 Park Row
is an 1858 Italianate brick house occupied from 1862-1925 by members of the
Skolfield and Whittier families, involved in shipping, seafaring, medicine and
community affairs. Tours leave the adjacent Pejepscot Historical Society
weekdays from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day.
(Admission for tour).
REGAL CINEMAS BRUNSWICK TEN at Cook's Corner in Brunswick offers
ten choices of films for rainy day viewing, with all shows before 6:oo p.m.
priced $6.50, $6.00 seniors Evening admissions higher. Shows run from noon to
late evening during the week and Saturday evenings add a midnight showing.
For a complete schedule, call Regal automated answering service at
207-798-3996. The cinema complex is located adjacent to The Atrium on Route
24.
L.L.BEAN catalogs arrive monthly, but there is no substitute for the real thing
in Freeport. Take the kids to the sporting and camping department where
everyone can peruse the equipment of their favorite sport, be it kayaking,
fishing, camping or biking. This is a great way to perk up soggy spirits after a
drenching rain in the tent. Mom and Dad can even grab a cup of coffee at the
coffee cart in the foyer behind the information center.
MORE MAINE TRAVEL INFORMATION
About the author
Sherry Ballou Hanson has published hundreds of articles in magazines,
newspapers, newsletters, and on line publications. Sherry lives in Brunswick,
Maine, and in her spare time, enjoys walking, hiking, inline skating, biking,
kayaking, skiing, archery, writing, reading and star gazing.
(If You're on the Midcoast)
By Sherry Ballou Hanson
Not every day Maine will bring brilliant sunshine dancing on the water. There
will be the occasional foggy morning with drizzle, which means no swimming
or sunbathing. If you're on vacation on the Midcoast of Maine, here are some
alternatives to sulking in your cottage or hotel room:
BOWDOIN COLLEGE in Brunswick is home to two outstanding museums
that do not charge an admission. The Museum of Art in Walker Art Building is
open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 500 p.m., and on Sunday
from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., year-round. Holdings in this fine museum include
the Winslow Homer Collection, old master prints, and works by 19th and 20th
century artists such as Rockwell Kent, Mary Cassatt and John Sloan. For those
with a thirst for adventure, Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum houses the
memorabilia of the arctic explorations of Bowdoin alumni Robert Peary and
Donald B. MacMillan. The Peary -MacMillan Arctic Museum maintains the
same hours as the Museum of Art. Both facilities are closed on Mondays and
on national holidays.
MAINE MARITIME MUSEUM on the banks of the Kennebec River in Bath
covers 10 acres and includes an authentic 19th century shipyard with 5 original
buildings and many demonstrations. The exhibition building houses the
striking collection of paintings, models and artifacts that attracts thousands of
visitors annually. Historic vessels are often docked here and the museum
offers a full schedule of cruises on the Kennebec River, usually on Tuesdays
and Saturdays. The museum is open 9:30-5:00 daily, year round. Admission is
$7.50 for adults, $4.75 for kids under 17, free under 6 years. There is a nice gift
shop on the premises. Call 207-443-1316 for more information.
FORT ANDROSS FLEA MARKET is an intriguing destination for a rainy
Saturday or Sunday morning in Brunswick. Be aware that this is a somewhat
informal event, meaning that most displays are open by 8:00 a.m., but not
always. This experience is worth the trip, however, as a recent visit, lasting far
longer than it should have, yielded a set of old Craftsman wrenches, some
vintage Elvis records, a tiffany lampshade, a car stereo, and a wall placque
featuring the horses from Marlboro Country that now hangs in this writer's
office.
WISCASSET'S OLD JAIL and the Jailer's House on Federal Street are a
delight for kids. The jail, begun in 1809 and finished in 1811, near the site of
the original settlement of Wiscasset, is suitably scary, built of forty-one-inch
granite blocks, with iron doors, leg irons, 100-year-old graffiti and other grisly
accouterments of prison life in the 1800s. New this season is the refurbished
Christmas parlor at the Jailer's House. The Jail is open July 1 through August
31, Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., the last tour starting at
4:00. Admission is $2.00 for adults, $1.00 for kids under 12.
PEJEPSCOT HISTORICAL SOCIETY, headquartered at 159 Park Row in
Brunswick, maintains three museum sites which will provide history buffs and
kids alike with an authentic blast from the past. The Pejepscot Museum, open
weekdays from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. the first Saturday
of each month, is free. Exhibits change with different themes that correspond to
events in the Brunswick area. The Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum at 226
Maine Street is located in Chamberlain's former home. The Civil War general
comes to life in these restored rooms and original furnishings. Tours available
by appointment, 207-729-6606. The Skolfield-Whittier House at 161 Park Row
is an 1858 Italianate brick house occupied from 1862-1925 by members of the
Skolfield and Whittier families, involved in shipping, seafaring, medicine and
community affairs. Tours leave the adjacent Pejepscot Historical Society
weekdays from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day.
(Admission for tour).
REGAL CINEMAS BRUNSWICK TEN at Cook's Corner in Brunswick offers
ten choices of films for rainy day viewing, with all shows before 6:oo p.m.
priced $6.50, $6.00 seniors Evening admissions higher. Shows run from noon to
late evening during the week and Saturday evenings add a midnight showing.
For a complete schedule, call Regal automated answering service at
207-798-3996. The cinema complex is located adjacent to The Atrium on Route
24.
L.L.BEAN catalogs arrive monthly, but there is no substitute for the real thing
in Freeport. Take the kids to the sporting and camping department where
everyone can peruse the equipment of their favorite sport, be it kayaking,
fishing, camping or biking. This is a great way to perk up soggy spirits after a
drenching rain in the tent. Mom and Dad can even grab a cup of coffee at the
coffee cart in the foyer behind the information center.
MORE MAINE TRAVEL INFORMATION
About the author
Sherry Ballou Hanson has published hundreds of articles in magazines,
newspapers, newsletters, and on line publications. Sherry lives in Brunswick,
Maine, and in her spare time, enjoys walking, hiking, inline skating, biking,
kayaking, skiing, archery, writing, reading and star gazing.
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