| If you are visiting the Bar Harbor area, you'll | | | | and the downtown Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor is |
| definitely want to take time to stop in the | | | | open all year round. |
| intriguing Abbe Museum, which is a museum | | | | Currently one of the wonderful exhibitions at the |
| designed to celebrate the Native Americans | | | | Abbe Museum is the "Look Twice: The Waponahki |
| history and their heritage of Maine. | | | | in Image and Verse" exhibition. This is a beautiful |
| The Abbe Museum provides beautiful programs | | | | exhibition that includes examinations of |
| and exhibitions all about the Native American | | | | photographs through use of poetry by Mikhu |
| heritage in the area. At one time there was only | | | | Paul-Anderson. |
| a very small museum trailside, but today there is | | | | An exhibition that is coming soon to the museum |
| also a lovely contemporary museum that you can | | | | is the "Twisted Path" exhibition, which features 10 |
| visit in Bar Harbor - right downtown. | | | | different Native contemporary artists. It includes |
| The original musuem was founded back in 1926, | | | | beautiful artwork that is based on traditional |
| although it wasn't until 1928 that it was opened to | | | | beadwork. Several of the artists that are included |
| the public. It's name is from Dr. Robert Abbe, who | | | | are Pam Cunningham, Marie Watt, Lenny Novak, |
| founded the museum. It all started with a | | | | and Rick Hunt. |
| collection that Dr. Abbe had of Native American | | | | During the winter months the downtown Bar |
| artifacts, and he was able to convince others who | | | | Harbor museum is open from Thursday through |
| had similar collections to join together to develop | | | | Saturday from 10am to 4pm. From May 21st |
| the Abbe Museum. | | | | through the early part of November, the Abbe |
| The mission of the museum is to help promote | | | | Museum is open each day from 10am to 6pm. |
| better appreciation and understanding of the | | | | Admission is $6 for adults and children between |
| Native Americans in Maine, including their | | | | 6-15 years of age are only $2. However, Abbe |
| archaeology, history, and their culture. There are | | | | Museum members and Native Americans will be |
| various programs, collections, and exhibitions that | | | | admitted for free. |
| focus on the local Native Americans, celebrating | | | | A lovely shop is featured in the museum as well. |
| them past and present in Bar Harbor. | | | | It features some beautiful authentic Native |
| It wasn't until 2001 that the Bar Harbor | | | | American merchandise. There are lovely carvings, |
| downtown Abbe Museum was opened, and it | | | | baskets, jewelry, and many other Native |
| houses both permanent exhibitions and exhibitions | | | | American art forms as well. Just a few of the |
| that change as well. There are not only wonderful | | | | artist tribes featured in the Abbe Museum shop |
| exhibitions at this museum, but there are excellent | | | | include the Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, Mimac, and |
| education programs available for the entire family. | | | | the Penobscot. |
| Programs are offered for school groups as well, | | | | |