Museums & galleries in Mid Coast Region offer depth to your vacation

Bowdoin College Museum of Art

9400 College Station Brunswick, ME 04011 Phone: 207-725-3275

Open: Closed for renovation; reopening fall of 2007

Bowdoin College's collection of fine art features American and European classic work. Of particular interest, however are the exhibitions of works by Maine artists Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth.

Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center

16 Museum Street Rockland, ME 04841 Phone: 207-596-6457

Open: Memorial Day-Columbus Day, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Columbus Day-Memorial Day, Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Mondays ; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day

The Farnsworth Art Museum offers art from 18th- and 19th-century masters Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Sully, Thomas Eakins, Eastman Johnson, Fitz Hugh Lane, Frank Benson, Childe Hassam, and Maurice Prendergast as well as works by 20th-century sculptor Louise Nevelson. It has opened four new galleries to showcase contemporary art. Its Wyeth Center features works of Andrew, N.C., and Jamie Wyeth. Two historic buildings--the Farnsworth Homestead and the Olson House--complete the museum complex. The Farnsworth Homestead, adjacent to the main museum in Rockland, is distinguished by its Greek-revival exterior and Victorian interior. Painter Andrew Wyeth created many of his best-loved works at the Olson House. The house is 14.5 miles from the museum in Cushing, Maine. Cost: adults, $10; seniors, students age 18 and older, $8; children age 17 and younger, free; ticket price includes admission to the Olson House and the Farnsworth Victorian Homestead when open.

Fishermen’s Museum in the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

Route 130 Pemaquid Point, ME 04554 Phone: 207-677-2726

The lighthouse was built in 1826 and marks the entrance to Muscongus Bay and John Bay. Today it is a major attraction in Maine and receives almost 100,000 visitors each year. The keeper’s house has been converted into the Fishermen's Museum. On display are items related to the local maritime history

Maine Lighthouse Museum

1 Park Drive Rockland, ME Phone: 207-594-3301

The Maine Lighthouse Museum is the home of the largest collection of Fresnel lighthouse lenses and the most important landmark collection of lighthouse artifacts and Coast Guard memorabilia in the United States. A few years back, the museum merged its collection with that of the former Museum of Lighthouse History of Wells (now closed). The two collections are now on display and marvelously compliment each other. Visit the museum gift shop and find spectacular inventory of lighthouse models and miniatures, replicas, clothing, gifts, art, toys, memorabilia, and exclusive regional favorites. Open year-round but hours vary by season. Call ahead for hours.

Maine Maritime Museum

243 Washington St. Bath, ME 04530 Phone: 207-443-1316

Open: Daily, 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days

From the beginning of the Civil War to the turn of the century, Bath was the one of the nation's most important seaports and ship-building cities. The Maine Maritime Museum tells the story of Maine’s ship and boat building history with multiple rooms of exhibits, all contained beside a 19th century shipyard on the Kennebec River. Cost: Adults, $10; seniors, $9; children under age 17, $7; same household, $30. Admission is good for two consecutive days’ attendance

O'Farrell Gallery of Bowdoin College

58 Maine Street Brunswick, ME 04011 Phone: 207-729-8228

This museum features the work of contemporary American artists.

Owls Head Transportation Museum

Knox County Airport, Route 73 Owl's Head, ME 04754 Phone: 207-594-4418

Open: November- March, daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; April- October, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Visitors will enjoy exhibits featuring a collection of early air and ground vehicles. Trace the history of the bicycle and the horse-drawn carriage. Many of the vehicles are in operating condition and are demonstrated on the museum grounds. Cost: Persons over age 12, $7; seniors age 65 and older, $6; children age 5- 11, $5; family, $18.

Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum

Hubbard Hall, Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME 04011 Phone: 207-725-3416

Open: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 2-5 p.m.; closed Mondays and national holidays

Visitors to this museum will see artifacts from polar exploration, learn about the Peary-Macmillan trips, and the history of arctic exploration in general.

Penobscot Marine Museum

5 Church Street Searsport, ME 04974 Phone: 207-548-2529

Open: May through October, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

Museum features exhibits on historic boats, artifacts and ship models.

Skolfield-Whittier House

161 Park Row Brunswick, ME 04011 Phone: 207-729-6606

Open: Seasonally; call ahead for days and hours

A time-capsule like home of three generations of a prominent Brunswick family with careers in seafaring, medicine and education. Among the former residents are Alfred Skolfield, a sea captain, Dr. Alice A.S. Whittier, Maine's first female pediatrician, and Dr. Frank Whittier, an early forensic pathologist. Closed for 60 years, the house remains exactly as it was in 1925 when it was last occupied. It has collections complete to the receipts used in the house's construction and spices in the kitchen spice racks. Its 17 rooms provide a glimpse into 19-century upper-middle-class life in Maine. Guided tours. Cost: Adults, $5; children, $2.50

Vinalhaven Historical Society Museum

P.O. Box 339 Vinalhaven, ME 04863 Phone: 207-863-4410

Open: June 8-September 18, Wednesday- Sunday, 11 a.m. –3 p.m.; open Tuesdays in July and August; other times and dates by appointment

The colorful history of the Midcoast Islands and the town of Vinalhaven in particular are the focus of this museum.