Sea Chantey Singalong with Guest Chanteyman Stephen Sanfilippo

September 10, 3–5pm

Free, donations welcome

PMM is excited to welcome guest chanteyman Stephen Sanfilippo for our August and September Chantey Singalongs. He’ll lead sea songs and chanteys on the concertina, many with catchy choruses for everyone to join in. Drop in for a few songs or stay for the whole time—sing along or just listen. Stephen will also share stories and background on how chanteys were used as work songs at sea. All ages are welcome, and no experience is needed.

Homeschool Days

September 17 & 18 and October 8, 10:30am–12:30pm

$5/person, $20/family

Registration required

Homeschool families are invited to the museum for a hands-on educational visit designed for all ages. Participants can learn about Searsport sea captains and their families, enjoy crafts, and join a Set Sail demonstration. After the structured program ends at 12:30pm, families are welcome to explore independently.

Discover the Value: Antiques Appraisal Event

Friday, September 25, 2–5 pm

Museum Store

$10 per item



Curious about the value of something in your collection? Bring your antiques, artwork, or collectibles to Mark Sisco of Sisco Antiques Appraisals during an afternoon of appraisals at PMM. The $10 appraisal fee supports PMM. Registration is not required.

SardineFest

October 3, 10am–4pm

Free, donations welcome

Join us Saturday, October 3, for SardineFest at PMM. The event will feature food, music, vendors, family activities, and more celebrating Maine’s sardine industry and coastal heritage.

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.

Preserving Our Past (POP) Studies series is back with new opportunities to learn practical skills for caring for family heirlooms, photographs, and historical objects. Designed for adult learners, these continuing education workshops are led by PMM staff and are useful for everyone from family historians to museum and historical society staff and volunteers.

This month, we’re sharing two pieces about one intriguing object in our collection: the medicine chest from the LUCY A. NICKELS. First, explore the original research conducted by Geiger Museum Exploration Intern Felix Lakin, who investigated the history and contents of the chest. Then, read Curator Cipperly Good’s response, which revisits excerpts from Felix’s research and shares the questions, discoveries, and decisions that arose when the museum took a closer look at what was inside. Together, the two pieces offer a look at the research process and the surprises that can emerge from our collections.

Read Felix Lakin's article here.

Read Cipperly Good's article here.

By Kevin Johnson, Photo Archivist

Where did the summer go?! I ask myself the same question at this time every year. The Maine summer just has a way of flying by. The beginning of the season was dominated by our Big Jim restoration project. Some may wonder, what does being a photo archivist have to do with restoring a 40' aluminum sign? This was a question I was asking myself in late March from the top of an extension ladder while I cut bolts holding the painted plates to steel beams with a Sawzall in a stiff, ladder-shaking breeze. We all need to wear multiple hats here at PMM to bring history to life, and occasionally they are hard hats. Big Jim rose in Searsport in June, and the season started off with a party!

Surrounding the Big Jim excitement, there was in fact a lot of photo archive activity. We created two photo exhibits. Welcome to Sardineland featured photos across our collections related to PMM’s current exhibit that explores and celebrates Maine’s sardine industry. No Sleep ‘til Brooklin: Pack Dodge and the Haven Colony 1900-1930 offers an insider’s viewpoint of rusticators in Brooklin and is still on display at the Rockbound Chapel in Brooklin. 

We presented 17 slideshows to audiences around the state. We continued to add “new” photos to our database while improving existing photo records. A remarkable collection of Ellsworth and MDI images from the late nineteenth century, taken by Irving Osgood and David Lewis Yale, was added. Hundreds of Montville Field Day photos, and a dozen Wabanaki basketmaker portraits were added from the Peggy McKenna Collection. Wayne Hamilton continues to tickle his photo archive to PMM, and new records are being added in earnest. The Kosti Ruohomaa Collection is also expanding online as we process the group we received from Time-Life. 

We also said goodbye to a couple of our volunteers. Long time volunteer Dave Ruberti sadly passed away in the spring. Diane Follingstad has moved to Pittsburgh but hopes to continue her photo archives work from afar. We welcomed new volunteer Sam Green and intern Nicole Fields to our ranks. 

On to autumn! 

No Sleep ’Til Brooklin:

Pack Dodge and the Haven Colony, 1900–1930

On display through September 30

Rockbound Chapel

718 Reach Rd., Brooklin, ME

Discover the story of Maine’s historic Haven Colony through photographs by seasonal resident Parker “Pack” Dodge, a Washington, D.C. patent attorney who documented life in this Brooklin summer community in the early 20th century. In 2023, his descendants, John Dodge and Paul Gagliardi, generously donated nearly 1,000 of his large- and medium-format negatives to the Penobscot Marine Museum. Curated by Maynard Bray and Robert Baird, the exhibit is on display free of charge at Rockbound Chapel in Brooklin through the end of September. The chapel is open and accessible 24/7, so visitors can stop by at their convenience.

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.

A big thank you to DiveQuest Exploration for supporting Penobscot Marine Museum as a Premium Business Member!



DiveQuest Exploration shares our commitment to uncovering, documenting, and preserving maritime history. We’re grateful for their support of the museum and our work to connect people with Maine’s rich maritime heritage!

SardineFest is getting some attention! The Midcoast Villager recently featured our upcoming celebration of Maine’s sardine history.

We are also excited to collaborate with The Rising Tide. The latest article looks back at the Surry Theatre Company and features a historic photograph from our collection.