Maine Maritime Museum Bath Maine - History, Exhibits, Cruises
Permanent Exhibits
Distant Lands of Palm And Spice: Maine Ships and Mariners in Deepwater Commerce
This exhibit focuses on international trade from Maine ports, aboard Maine ships with Maine mariners, giving the visitor an understanding of the impact of foreign trade and life aboard merchant vessels. It includes paintings, models, photographs,cargo items, gear and exotic mementos of shipping families.
A Maritime History of Maine: Our core exhibit gives the visitor a broad overview of Mainemaritime history, focused on the themes of commerce, fishing,trades, shipbuilding, war, travel and recreation. The exhibit includes our Bath Iron Works presentation, with a incredible model of a destroyer.
Lobstering and the Maine Coast: Occupying an entire building, this exhibit tells the real history of lobster fishing in Maine, a relatively recent development,and the importance of the canning industry to this industry. It includes six historic boats that illustrate the evolution oflobster boats over the years.
A Shipyard in Maine: Percy & Small and the Great Schooners
Percy & Small is the country’s only intact shipyard that built large wooden sailing vessels,including the giant six-mast schooner- Wyoming, the largest wooden vessel built in the U.S. The exhibit starts in the Museum building then proceeds outside tofour original workshops and the shipyard’s wharves, building slips, and other structures. In the mold loft, oakum shed, paint & treenail shop, and mill &joiner shop visitors see how the giants of wooden ships were built at the turn of the century.
Snow Squall: Last of the American Clipper Ships The only remains of an American clipper ship in existence: Built in South Portland, Maine in 1851, Snow Squall was a full-rig, three-mast clipper ship, designed and built for speed not capacity. She made voyages all over the world, carrying valuable and time dependent cargoes. In 1864, she was heavily damaged trying to round Cape Horn and was abandoned in the Falkland Islands. Through conservation efforts in the 1980s, parts of the Snow Squall were recovered and are now housed at Maine Maritime Museum.
Changing Exhibits
Cold Waters, Cold War: the 20th Century Navy in Maine
On view through August 7, 2011
From Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery to the Very Low Frequency transmitter in Cutler, and with particular reference to the 2011 final closure of Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine’s Cold War Navy story will finally be revealed in Cold Waters, Cold War: the 20th Century Navy in Maine.
Museum Admission:
Open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day (except Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Thanksgiving)
Members: FREE
Adult: $12.00
Seniors 65+ $11.00
Students (with id) $9.00
Child under 17 $9.00
Child 4 and under: FREE
Planning on stopping in? Check out our current exhibits
Maine Maritime Museum
243 Washington Street
Bath, ME 04530
ONGOING EVENTS & TOURS
Bath Iron Works Trolley Tours- A FAVORITE!
Two-day Museum admission included with tour fee. SPRING: MAY 24 TO JUNE 11: TUESDAY & THURSDAY - 12:30PM; SATURDAY - 10AM SUMMER & FALL: JUNE 13 TO OCT 10: WEEKDAYS -12:30PM; SATURDAY - 10AM
Members $20 | Non-members $30 | Children under 16 years $15 Advanced reservations are strongly suggested as space is limited and tours sell out quickly. Backpacks, cameras and cell phones are prohibited. Due to national security, trips are subject to cancellation at any time. A one-of-a-kind opportunity: go inside the gates of BIW on a behind-the-scenes tour. See the old launching ways and BIW’s Land Level Transfer Facility, where large vessels are constructed and moved into the dry dock for launching. See the cuttingedge Ultra Hall, which facilitates “mega section” construction. For added enjoyment, combine with a discounted one-hour boat cruise to view BIW from the water.
Percy & Small Historic Shipyard Tour
MAY 30 TO SEPT 5: DAILY - 11AM, 1PM & 3PM SEP. 6 TO OCT 10: DAILY - 11AM & 1 PMFREE with Museum admission. Our knowledgeable guides share the story of the only surviving shipyard in America where large wooden sailing vessels were constructed, including Wyoming, the largest wooden sailing vessel ever built and whose life-size evocation is the yard’s centerpiece.
Victorian Donnell House
MAY 30 TO SEPT 5: DAILY (EXCEPT SUNDAY) - 11AM TO 4PM FREE with Museum admission. Skilled docents will introduce you to the Donnell Family, one of Bath’s shipbuilding families, and how they lived in 1892.
Treasures of the Orlop Deck: Tour the Collection Vaults
MAY 30 TO SEPT 5: WEDNESDAY - 1:30PM $8 Members | $20 Non-Members Price includes Museum Admission A member of our curatorial staff will lead you on an exploration of the Museum collection, which has more than 20,000 artifacts, many of which are rarely exhibited. You’ll learn the unique and exciting stories behind selected artifacts. Register early, space is limited.
DAILY & WEEKLY CRUISES
All cruise fees include two-day Museum admission. Arrive 30 minutes prior to departure. Cruises are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather, unforeseen circumstances or private charter. Advanced reservations are recommended, and are available online at
SUMMER SCHEDULE: June 18 to Sept 5
Great Ships and Lighthouses Cruise (1 hour)
SUMMER: DAILY - 12PM | 2PM EXCEPT THURSDAYS (FALL: DAILY - 12 PM | 2PM ON TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & THURSDAYS ONLY) Members $20 | Non-members $24 Children under 16 years $10 | Under 4 free Explore the Kennebec River and its role in American shipbuilding. See Bath Iron Works, lighthouses and nesting osprey. Something for everybody!
Six Lighthouse Cruise (2¼ hours)
SUMMER: SUNDAY & WEDNESDAY - 3:30PM FALL: SUNDAY - 2PM
Members $27 | Non-members $32 Children under 16 years $15 | Under 4 free The Kennebec Historic Waterway features some of Maine’s most beautiful lighthouses - Seguin Island and Light; Doubling Point Light; the Kennebec Range Lights; Squirrel Point Light; Perkins Island Light, Pond Island Light; and Seguin Island Light. Photo ops galore!
Lighthouse Lovers Cruise (3½ hours)
SUMMER: SATURDAY - 3:30PM
FALL: SATURDAY - 2PM Members $35 | Non-members $40 Children under 16 years $20 |Under 4 free Ten of Maine’s finest lighthouses the way they were meant to be seen, from the water - Doubling Point Light; the Kennebec Range Lights; Squirrel Point Light; Perkins Island & Light; Pond Island & Light; Seguin Island & Light; Cuckolds Light; Ram Island Light; Burnt Island Light; and Hendricks Head Light.
Beacons of Boothbay (4½ hours)
SUMMER: THURSDAY - 2:30PM Members $40 | Non-members $45 Children under 16 years $25 | Under 4 free
Explore a Maine island and its lighthouse. Cruise the Sasanoa River to Boothbay Harbor; view four lighthouses along the way. Then stop to explore Burnt Island and its lighthouse. Meet the keeper and his family who will acquaint you with lighthouse living, 1950s style. Visit the keeper’s home and climb the spiral staircase into the lantern room to enjoy spectacular views of Boothbay Harbor; or take a picturesque hike around the 5-acre island.
Seven Lights, Hells Gates Cruise (3 hours)
SUMMER: FRIDAY - 3:30PM FALL: FRIDAY - 2PM Members $30 | Non-members $35 Children under16 years $15 | Under 4 free Travel the winding Sasanoa River through Hells Gates into the serene Hockomock Bay to the mouth of the Sheepscot River, past Hendricks Head Light. Enter the Kennebec River with its six lighthouses: Doubling Point Light, the Kennebec Range Lights, Squirrel Point Light, Perkins Island Light, Pond Island Light, and Seguin Island Light. Due to tides and currents this trip may take the reverse course at the captain’s discretion.
UNIQUE CRUISES
The Secret Kennebec Cruise (2¼ hours) SUMMER: MONDAY (JUNE 27, JULY 11, JULY 25, AUG 8 & AUG 22 ONLY) - 3:30PM FALL: MONDAY (SEPT 5 & SEPT 19 ONLY) - 2PM Members $27 | Non-members $32 Children under 16 years $15 |Under 4 free Though traveled for thousands of years, the shores of the Kennebec River remain largely unsettled. They are home to the 2nd largest concentration of waterfowl along the eastern
U.S. Large runs of migratory fish make this a favorite feeding ground for seals and an ideal habitat for eagles and osprey.
The Extraordinary Wildlife of Merrymeeting Bay (2¼ hours)
SUMMER: MONDAY’s Call for Dates. Non-members $32 Children under 16 years $15 |Under 4 free Six rivers converge at Merrymeeting Bay to create a truly unique and rare ecosystem: the breeding ground of osprey and bald eagles and home to Atlantic sturgeon and harbor seals. This cruise is narrated by members of local environmental organizations. The program is made possible thanks to the sponsorship of the Merrymeeting Bay Trust and the collaborative efforts of the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust and Maine Audubon Society.
Cruise with Dad SUNDAY: JUNE 19 - 12PM | 2PM | 3:30PM
Dad is FREE with paying guest Celebrate Father’s Day and let Dad cruise for free when accompanied by a paying guest. Choose from the Great Ships& Lighthouses Cruise or The Six Lighthouse Cruise..Windjammer Days Cruise (6 hours)WEDNESDAY: JUNE 23 - 10AM Members $45 | Non-members $50 Children under 16 years $25 |Under 4 free A unique opportunity to be at sea right in the middle of Maine’s famous fleet of Windjammers! Cruise to Boothbay Harbor;explore the town; then board again for a close-up of Maine’s Windjammer Fleet. A truly incredible photo opportunity and atruly remarkable spectacle. Limited seating, reserve early. Fireworks Cruise (2 hours)MONDAY, JULY 5 - 8PM Members $30 |Non-members $35 Children under 16 years $15 |Under 4 free Cruise Bath’s colorful waterfront, enjoy water views of downtown and all the festivities. Purchase your favorite beverage on board at our cash bar and enjoy on-the-river views of the annual Heritage Days fireworks. Limited seating, reserve early.
Kayak Adventures in Merrymeeting Bay (4 hours)
Members $60 | Non-members $65 | Children under 16 years $30
SUNDAY MORNINGS: (JUNE 26, JULY 10, AUG 7, SEPT 18, OCT 2 ONLY) - 9AM SUNDAY SUNSETS: (JULY 24, AUG 21, SEPT 4 ONLY)Personal Equipment Used: Members $30 | Non-members $35 No experience necessary; disability accommodations available. Paddle solo or with a partner. Advanced reservations required; minimum age 12. These four-hour expeditions of Merrymeeting Bay are lead by registered Maine Guides and members of local environmental organizations. Your guide will interpret the area’s extraordinary ecological vitality, its abundant wildlife, such as seals, ospreys, eagles and more, and the challenges facing the bay. All necessary equipment is provided: kayak, paddle, PFD. Just bring your camera.
