TOWNS > USA > MAINE

  • Augusta

    Three walks opened between 2008 and 2010
    The Capital city of Maine began as an early colonial settlement on the Kennebec River. It later became an industrial hub and is now divided into several sectors. Augusta wishes to tie these sectors together through their shared history using a common project, The Museum in the Streets. Three separate but related tours have been installed since 2008, each with its own thematic focus.

    www.augustamaine.gov
     In addition to the main walk, two shorter walks focus on the Canal Street neighborhood and Augusta during the Civil War
    Between 10 and 30 panels per walk
    In English and French
    PDF Download Augusta Map Download a map

  • Bar Harbor

    Opened in 2013
    Installed in 2012, the official debut took place in 2013. 29 panels in English and French guide the walker through Bar Harbor’s historic sites spiced up with local lore about illustrious “rusticators” and their dream “cottages”.
    Promoted by the Chamber of Commerce this “stroll through history” aims to place history in the streets, preserve local historic sites and stories as well as draw visitors to its museums. The tour intersects a number of other trails including Acadia National Park’s hiking trails.

  • Belfast

    Opened in 2004
    Trains, circuses, tourists, industrial development, ship-building... all in a beautiful setting on the coast of Maine with preserved period homes in brick, granite or wood.
    This rich variety of architecture and the story behind it needed to be explained to the growing population and to summer visitors.

    www.belfastmaine.org
    belfastmuseum.org
    Belfast on Facebook Belfast on Vimeo

    30 panels
    In English and French
    PDF Download Belfast Map Download a map

  • Biddeford

    Opened in 2006
    Rich in history and steeped in Franco-American heritage, Biddeford is also a town on the rise with a rapidly growing population. From Champlain's arrival to the impressive array of historic buildings, The Museum in the Streets helped Biddeford tell its story.

    www.biddefordmaine.org

    30 panels
    In English and French
    The town of Biddeford published a booklet with reproductions of all the panels in commemoration of the inauguration of The Museum in the Streets.
    PDF Download a map

  • Hallowell

    Opened in 2009
    The Area Board of Trade organized Hallowell’s 10-block installation to introduce visitors to their “story of America” which begins in the 1620’s with a tie-in to the Plymouth Company ... who would have suspected?
    19 panels in English and French welcome visitors from Quebec and honor the present descendants of migrant workers from the north. This is the story of science, industry and intellectual activity so crucial in the development of a major river town.

    Maine Memory Network
    Historic Hallowell brochure

  • Kennebunk

    Opened in 2013
    25 panels in English and French are the first step to a possible extension of the tour to west Kennebunk and Lower Village to “take history and heritage to the community...to all ages.”
    The project was organized and researched by the town historians and the archivist from the Brick Store Museum. This tour created a new way for the community to look at their own town.

  • Searsport

    Opened in 2009
    17 panels have been installed in Searsport as a walking and driving tour. The panels offer texts in English and French to introduce visitors to the town’s very active ship-building and shipping industries (while you are there, visit the renowned Penobscot Marine Museum). The homes of seafaring captains feature on the tour.

  • Thomaston

    Opened in 2003
    First in the USA, Thomaston's Museum in the Streets was designed to draw attention to the extraordinary history of this early shipping town. The "town that looked out to sea" began as a Native American settlement, and as it grew and changed, became rich with sea-faring lore. The Museum has encouraged people, who usually speed by on Route 1, to stop and discover the historical back streets and beautiful homes built when the town was a thriving port and a center for ship-building.

    www.thomastonhistoricalsociety.com

    30 panels
    In English and French
    PDF Download a map

  • Waterville

    Opened in 2004
    Waterville's strong French roots and rich cultural history were long unrecognized by inhabitants. Local historians wanted to bring the town's francophone past to light and honor their ancestors' contribution to the development of the town and its industry.
    Their collaboration with The Museum in the Streets became the basis of an annual Franco-American Festival.

    www.watervillemaine.net

    30 panels
    In English and French
    PDF Download a map

  • Wiscasset

    Opened in 2014
    The first Europeans arrived in the beautiful and pristine area in 1607, later bought land from the Native Americans, settled and developed the village. It has deservedly been named “one of the prettiest little villages of Maine” as is simply attested by the large numbers of annual summer visitors. They stop for lobster rolls and to visit a fine collection of extant buildings spread out on hilly green slopes overlooking the bay. The 29-panel illustrated installation, based on fine collections of photographs and accompanied by erudite texts, weaves through the the shopping area of Main Street and residential areas.

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