Special Events at PMM

Peek into Paintings - Shipbuilding
May 14th at Noon
Free, premiering on Facebook & YouTube

Penobscot Bay's economy in the 19th century was based on shipping, shipbuilding, and getting the lumber to build the ships. Sam Manning's detailed illustrations take us through the basics of the shipbuilding process. We look at a couple of shipyards on Searsport Harbor- plus, one Mainer who used enslaved African Americans to enrich himself…

May 20th at 6pm on Zoom
Free, register here

Kosti Ruohomaa’s Beloved Maine, a slideshow and lecture by Deanna Bonner-Ganter, focuses on Rockland, Maine photographer Kosti Ruohomaa’s Maine photographs. Deanna Bonner-Ganter is the perfect guide to explore Ruohomaa’s work and legacy. She spent more than 30 years researching his life and work. In 2016, her definitive biography, Kosti Ruohomaa Photographer Poet was published by Downeast Books. She recently retired from the Maine State Museum in Augusta where she spent her career as a curator.

May 27th at 6pm on Zoom
Free, register here

What is hidden in the Penobscot Marine Museum archives, and how can you explore them? With records from sailors, captains, fishermen, shipbuilders, and other Penobscot Bay residents over the past 250 years, there's a lot here. Join us for a look at the letters, diaries, logbooks, and other manuscripts in PMM's collection and hear some of the great stories we uncovered during this winter's cataloging project. Click here to register.

May 28th at Noon
Free, premiering on Facebook & YouTube

When you think about Maine, do you picture seagulls, lobsterboats, and lighthouses? As we get ready for summer in Maine, we’ll take a look at local artist Ken Hatch’s 1976 painting “Wharf Scene with Gull.” What says Maine summer to you? Send your photos or short videos to Jeana at [email protected] for a chance to be included in this Peek into Paintings! 

Friday, June 11th at Noon
Free, premiering on Facebook and YouTube

We delve into writings by children in the 19th century.  Joanna Colcord playing dress-up with friends.  Andrew Pendleton's instructions from his father.  Lillias trying to teach a classroom at age 15.  Emma likes to go dancing and sleigh riding, but works hard washing and sewing when her mother is ill.  We also meet Harry Dow who goes to sea as a child and is a captain by his twenties.

June 14th at Noon on Zoom
Free member exclusive

Examining what has changed and what has not in our state over 100 years is a fascinating exercise. PMM Photo Archivist Kevin Johnson has led several high school and middle school groups in exploring these phenomena and he continues to explore it on his own. Using the Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Co. photos as "Then", he and his students found the same vantage point to take "Now" photos. Join him for a tour around Waldo, Knox and Washington Counties as he shares some highlights and discusses the process.

Friday, June 25th at Noon
Free, premiering on Facebook and YouTube

The Peek into Painting programs feature high resolution images of our paintings to zoom in on all the details. See our paintings and other images as never before! Learn about the artist and the history and geography behind the subject of the painting. Is there a painting in our collection you’d like to learn more about? Browse our paintings and send your selection to Jeana at [email protected]. 

July 1st, 5-8pm
$20/family (up to 10 people). Click here to purchase your tickets!
Ahoy there! The beautiful Maine summer is fast approaching, and we here at The Penobscot Marine Museum are proud to present our upcoming event Ripped From the Headlines: Tales of Bravery, Shipwrecks, & Courage at Sea.

Celebrating Searsport’s rich Maritime tradition, volunteers will bring local history to life, dramatically reading or reenacting newspaper stories of bravery, courage, daring rescues, and other adventures on the high seas! The event will take place July 1st from 5pm-8pm on our beautiful campus and will be held outdoors. Bring your family and come take a deep dive into the sea-goers life with us as we travel through time and celebrate our community both past and present! Tickets are $20/family (up to 10 people). Click here to purchase your tickets!

Friday, July 2
10am-5pm
Included with Museum Admission

Come to the museum on Fridays this summer and meet our giant person-sized lobster! It’s a great photo opportunity! We’ll also have lobster trivia and temporary tattoos.

Tuesday, July 6, click here to see available times
$25/family (up to 10 people)

Joseph Nicolar wrote about birchbark canoes. George Wasson wrote about the heyday of sailing on the Penobscot River as he summered on the WAVE CREST in Castine Harbor. E.B. White wrote of owning small boats - the FAINT ENDEAVOR, once owned by White, is now exhibited at PMM. Clara Blanchard was a 19th-century rising opera star. Contemporary artist Brian White was inspired by local fishermen. These are only a few of the many artists and authors represented by the collections at the Penobscot Marine Museum. This tour tells the stories of these individuals and uses their own words to connect with the objects and buildings in front of you.