Abbe Museum
Abbe Museum
4
About
The Abbe Museum shares the history and culture of Maine’s Native people, collectively known as the Wabanaki (Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Micmac, and Maliseet), and operates from two locations in Bar Harbor. At our downtown location, visitors find dynamic exhibitions and activities interspersed with spaces for quiet reflection. At the Abbe’s historic trailside museum at Sieur de Monts Spring, guests can experience early 20th century archaeological discoveries informed by 21st century science. The downtown Abbe Museum serves guests year-round, while the Sieur de Monts Spring location is open seasonally from mid-May to mid-October. Admission includes both locations. Located in an historic downtown district, we offer clean restrooms, several nearby restaurants and Bar Harbor attractions, and nearby motorcoach parking. Other amenities may be offered with notice. The History of the Abbe Museum: First opened to the public in 1928, the Abbe Museum is named for its founder, Dr. Robert Abbe, an eminent New York physician and beloved summer resident of Bar Harbor. During the 1920s, Dr. Abbe assembled a collection of early Native American artifacts found in the Frenchman Bay area which launched the museum at Sieur de Monts Spring. In 2001, we opened our second facility in a renovated historic landmark in downtown Bar Harbor. Today, the Abbe offers changing exhibitions and a robust programming schedule for all ages. Our museum shop is a destination for unique gifts and art and shipping is offered.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
358 reviews
Excellent
161
Very good
121
Average
54
Poor
13
Terrible
9
Robin22
Manchester, NH233 contributions
Sept 2022
The museum exhibits have been moved to Bar Harbor because of staffing issues. We walked the trails, though, which were interesting even though it was raining the whole time. Very different scenery from the rest of Acadia.
Written September 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HoustonMR
Houston, TX46 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
We researched more before our return to Bar Harbor via cruiseship. This museum was a definite highlight as it intimate yet told the story of the Wabanaki who have lived in the area for thousands of years before the Pilgrims landed further south. Delightful and engaging vignettes, many interactive made our time there fly by, Nice sized gift shop featuring Wabanaki artists to boot. A must for visitors.
Written October 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Howard B
New Jersey322 contributions
Sept 2024 • Solo
This museum's goal is to highlight the indigenous peoples of the area and it does a good job. I was expecting more ancient or just plain old artefacts but there was quite a bit more modern material, showing that the tribes are still thriving populations, which was nice to see. The exhibits were well laid-out and the information boards were thorough and informative. The only negative I would suggest is that it's not a very large place, just three rooms, one of which was closed when I was there. This negative comment is actually a positive as if there were more space I'm sure it would be of the same high quality. A good place to go if you're trying to avoid the Bar Harbor tourist scene. It's a fairly short walk from the pier if you came by cruise ship, although all places away from harbors are uphill.
Written September 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mforkner
Pataskala, OH613 contributions
Oct 2022
Extremely well-done museum showing the history and culture of the first inhabitants of the area. All the exhibits were excellent, and the museum was clean, easy to navigate and loaded with great information. This was one of the highlights of our time in Bar Harbor. Luckily, we found parking (no small feat in Bar Harbor in October) right across the street. We spent a lot of time and could have stayed longer - fascinating history and presentation. cannot recommend any higher if you have any interest in the indigenous peoples.
Written November 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fmpullo
Syracuse, NY2 contributions
Aug 2023
Took advantage of a rainy day to learn about the rich Native history of Wabanaki tribes that inhabit northern Maine and Canada. Abbe provides an outstanding overview of the culture, traditions, governance, and highly skilled artisans of the “People of the Dawn”. Total visit time: 3 hours.
Written August 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa B
Santa Barbara, CA16 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
This small, lovely museum highlights the native communities that have lived in Maine for thousands of years. The People of the First Light, a permanent exhibit, uses stories, artifacts, language and current art and fashion of the Wabanaki Nation to bring to life the culture that is still in Maine today. I have lived in Maine for 20 years and I was so glad to have visited. I will return!
Written August 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting the Abbe! We hope you return again and again as there is always something new to learn and do at the Abbe Museum.
Warm regards,
Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko
President/CEO
Written August 15, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
shortyindenver
Denver130 contributions
Sept 2012 • Couples
The Abbe Museum was a spot for us to duck into on a rainy morning stroll and we decided to pay $6 each to see what the hype was all about. Frankly, I don't get it. First, there is a huge room of children's art, like a school art night. Across the hall an exhibit of 20th century Indian tools, cans and toys. A small part of the exhibit showed different fossils (flutes and weapons) that was well done and interesting. Down the hall a replication of a wooden kiva to sit in. Downstairs: bathrooms, a children's playroom and a glassed-in area for people to work on computers. I would say this 'museum' needs a bit of work.
Written September 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr. Shortyindenver:
Thank you for your feedback about your experience at the Abbe Museum. Based on your comments I wanted to answer a few of your questions about our exhibits.
"The Waponahki Student Art Show" is in its 11th year and is one of the most popular exhibits we offer. The show helps to break down stereotypes about Native people and expectations of art, as well as celebrates the long standing tradition of art for Wabanaki communities and supports future generations of artists by exhibiting these works. The show is both fun and educational.
In the main gallery, "Indians and Rusticators" does show tools and other memorabilia from Bar Harbor's past, but in addition to that, the stunning birch bark canoe and baskets that are on display help tell the story of Bar Harbor's unique past, and the close relationship visitors here have long had with the Wabanaki people. This exhibit recently won an award of excellence from the American Association for State and Local History.
The Abbe Museum does not have any fossils on display, but we do have collections dating back 12,000 years, which help us understand how Native people lived here prior to European contact. The Abbe does not have a kiva, as this is not representative of northeastern woodlands Native culture, but we do have the Circle of Four Directions that offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy some quite reflection in a beautiful space. This architectural feature is also very popular with most of our visitors. I hope you will come back to the Abbe in the future and spend some time reading the interpretation we offer about Wabanaki history and art.
Written October 1, 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LAB2013
Springfield, IL158 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
This museum may be small, but it is a powerful exhibit. I enjoyed the local kid artwork display. Unexpected, but charming. There are many artifacts with excellent explanations and descriptions. It is a well planned, though tout and laid out museum. This was the only reason I stopped in Bar Harbor and, all though the town is charming, this museum was well worth the detour for me.
Written June 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oh! Thank you so much for visiting. Please visit us as often as you can. There's always something new at the Abbe Museum.
Written June 22, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Deborah S
Luton, UK30 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
This is a fairly small museum located in the town of Bar Harbour. We were there so my husband could run the marathon, so I walked around the town and decided to visit this museum to learn more about the original inhabitants of the area.
I found the exhibits interesting, although some of it was fairly heavy going. Probably not one that is going to keep your children amused.
The entrance fee was $8, which is very reasonable compared to other similar types of attraction in the US we went to on this trip. It was a shame there weren't more traditional crafts available in the girt shop, as some of the examples of basket weaving in the museum were fantastic.
I found the exhibits interesting, although some of it was fairly heavy going. Probably not one that is going to keep your children amused.
The entrance fee was $8, which is very reasonable compared to other similar types of attraction in the US we went to on this trip. It was a shame there weren't more traditional crafts available in the girt shop, as some of the examples of basket weaving in the museum were fantastic.
Written October 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TexasTravelerGoGo
Santa Fe, NM316 contributions
The Abbe actually has two locations, one in Bar Harbor and at smaller museum at Sieur de Monts Spring & Wild Gardens in Acadia National Park. As noted, the museum is dedicated to the Maine Native Americans, the Wabanaki. They have major changing exhibits that are very well thought out and put together. The museum will appeal to kids as well as adults. The tour begins with a nice short video about the Wabanaki. It is very easy to spend a couple of hours going through the museum. This is an excellent break from the more touristy activities in Bar Harbor.
Written May 19, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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