Used Book Sale

July 1–4, 10am–5pm

Museum Store

Browse a wide selection of used maritime books and periodicals at Penobscot Marine Museum's Used Book Sale. Most items focus on maritime subjects, including Maine history, ships, boating, fishing, and life at sea. All materials have been donated for the sale, and proceeds benefit the Museum's library and its work preserving and sharing maritime history.

Stories of the Sea: Adventure & Heroism on the High Seas

July 1, 5:30pm

Free, donations welcome

True stories of adventure and heroism on the high seas come to life with costumed performers. The evening includes a special performance of the award-winning one act play, The Waterspout, by the Searsport District High School theater group. We invite you to bring your own seating and pack a picnic dinner.

Curator’s Tour: A Deep Dive

July 2, 10–11am & July 8, 5–6pm

$20, registration required



Join Cipperly Good, PMM’s Richard Saltonstall Jr. Curator of Maritime History, for a guided tour of the Fowler-True-Ross House. Explore the stories of Maine’s coastal communities and their deep connection to the sea. Over the course of an hour, key artifacts throughout the house will be highlighted to provide deeper context.

Maritime Craft Workshops for Teens

Tide Pool Friends Puppets or Pillows

July 3, 10am–12:30pm



This workshop will encourage teens to use their creativity to craft a felt puppet or pillow of a sea creature. A Mosman Park beach walk will be included for additional inspiration, weather permitting.

Maritime Craft Workshops for Teens

Sardine Can Printmaking

July 3, 1:30–4pm

Teens will be inspired by 20th century Maine sardine can labels to create a rubber block stamp to decorate a cotton draw-string bag. A visit to our Sardineland exhibit will provide additional inspiration. This workshop is led by local artist and PMM Education Assistant, Veronica Maresh Mead.

Fourth of July at PMM

July 4, 10am–5pm

Free admission all day, donations welcome

Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with free admission at the Penobscot Marine Museum. The day’s admission has been generously sponsored by Camden National Wealth Management.

Sea Chantey Singalong

July 9, 4pm

Free, donations welcome

Sing along or listen as PMM staff and volunteers lead an afternoon of sea chanteys and sailors’ songs. If you have a chantey to share, you are welcome to lead one. We will also talk about how these songs were used as work songs. Attend once or come regularly. All ages are welcome, and no experience is needed. Our Sea Chantey Singalongs are held on the second Thursday of the month through October.

We have a full schedule of hands-on workshops, interactive programs, and special events—fun and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages. Visit our website for a complete list of events.

Join us for an evening honoring Dan Miller of Belmont Boatworks, featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres, specialty drinks, and delicious desserts by Bell the Cat. The event will also include a select live auction of unique experiences and paddle raises to support PMM's ongoing work.

By Kevin Johnson, Photo Archivist

Hundreds gathered at PMM on June 13th to welcome the arrival of the newly restored, and larger than life, newly restored, Big Jim fisherman sign. Music from local bands BookHead SweetTooth and The Hot Suppers wafted throughout the museum campus and the streets of Searsport. This was the culmination of a years-long project to restore the historic sign to put a spotlight on Maine's sardine industry history and the museum's Sardineland exhibit.

This project was made possible by an incredible team of talented and creative individuals, along with the generosity of scores of supporters and community businesses who helped bring Big Jim back to life.

Big Jim will remain on display at Penobscot Marine Museum throughout the season before returning to his longtime home in Prospect Harbor later this fall. We hope you’ll come see him, explore Sardineland, and experience all that the museum has to offer. Bring your friends, family, and summer visitors, and help make 2026 a season to remember!

We are still raising funds to support the restoration and display of Big Jim, and every gift makes a difference. If you’d like to help, donate here.

We would like to express our gratitude to the following:

Belmont Boatworks - Dan, Henry, Reed, Nick and Marrek

The WOW! Collective - Annadeene, Heidi, Samantha and Ashley

Coalition of the Willing Carpenters - Wes, Richard and Ben

Platform Engineer - David

Gouldsboro Historical Society - Jennifer and Sheila

Town of Searsport

Bold Coast Seafood

By Cipperly Good, the Richard Saltonstall Jr. Curator of Maritime History

When we were recently offered the collection of a Merchant Marine engineer who retired in 2018, we quickly accepted the donation. The opportunity to compare the experiences of a 21st-century mariner traveling the globe with those of a 19th-century counterpart was too compelling to pass up. Souvenirs from his voyages provide a tangible way to explore those connections and shared traditions across time.

Raymond Moody was born here in Searsport as the last of the area’s deep sea sailing captains were passing away. He first went to sea as an oiler in 1979, operating and maintaining the propulsion and vessel systems, assisting in bulk fuel transfers, and serving as one of the vessel’s firefighters and first aid responders. Ray earned his first U.S. Merchant Marine Officer license in 1983 as a third assistant engineer of steam vessels; he retired in 2018 with a license to operate as chief engineer of steam, motor, and gas turbine vessels.

By Jeana Ganskop, Education Director

Nearing the end of one of our first field trips.

Intern Matt and Mr. Ropes talking to a

group of Kindergarteners.

Summer is an exciting time in the education department. We’ve welcomed back our seasonal staff and kicked off the season with almost 900 school children visiting PMM on field trips! It’s always exciting to see and hear our campus full of young visitors. A big thank you to the PMM friends who supported these field trips by giving to the Field Trip Fund! I’d also like to thank the First Congregational Church of Searsport who generously opened their doors for students to eat lunch in their fellowship hall on rainy days. 

On July 1st, Stories of the Sea will feature true local stories brought to life by volunteer actors. We’ll hear Lucy Edwards and Clara Pendleton Blanchard chat about the loss of the WILLARD MUDGETT and Lillias Pendleton Blanchard will tell the story of the Confederates sinking the DELPHINE. There will be a few other short portrayals, and our grand finale includes the award-winning “The Waterspout” performed by Searsport District High School’s theater department. I’ve seen the rehearsals, you don’t want to miss this event!

Among our upcoming activities and events, PMM is preparing for many little Big Jim characters to walk in Searsport’s 4th of July parade. We’re also looking forward to participating in Revolutionary Belfast activities with the Belfast Free Library.



Mr. Ropes, PMM’s puppet cat ambassador, sailed with me on a Herreshoff 12 ½ in Rockland Harbor. He’ll be sharing his version of the experience this summer, but for now you can read my account here. Families with young children are encouraged to attend the Carver Memorial Library’s storytime at 10:30 on Friday, July 10th to hear all about Mr. Ropes’ sail in Rockland Harbor!

Penobscot Marine Museum’s Family Fun Newsletter is a great way for families to stay connected to the Museum’s programs, activities, and stories. Each issue shares simple, engaging ways to explore Maine’s maritime history together—whether you’re visiting in person or following along from home. Join the family fun email list here.

We are grateful to Safe Harbor Front Street for being a valued business partner of the Penobscot Marine Museum. Their involvement helps strengthen our work to preserve and share Maine’s rich coastal heritage, and we truly appreciate their continued engagement with the museum.

We've been thrilled to see so much attention on our 2026 season! Through our partnership with The Rising Tide, a historic photograph from North Penobscot reached new audiences. Big Jim has also been making headlines, with recent features in the Bangor Daily News and coverage from News Center Maine, Fox22/ABC7, and WABI5, helping share the story of this iconic sign and the effort behind the restoration.