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

Brick Store Museum

117 Main Street Kennebunk, ME 04043 Phone: 207-985-4802

Open: Year round, Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. -1 p.m.; closed all national holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, and few days between Christmas and New Year.

Exhibits and collections include Artifacts and papers pertaining to the maritime heritage of the Kennebunks and items from the estates of renowned authors, Kenneth Roberts and Booth Tarkington. Highlights include quilts with secret pouches and handwritten inscriptions; a rare chest dating to 1685; a painting found floating at sea of a Kennebunkport ship captain; pieces salvaged from area shipwrecks; a Civil War drum for a real surprise; and the largest collection of World War I and II posters in Maine. Cost: Suggested donation of $3.

Fifth Maine Regiment Museum

45 Seashore Ave Peak's Island, ME 04108 Phone: 207-766-3330

Open: Memorial Day-July 1, weekends, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; July 1-Labor Day, week-days, 1 to 5 p.m. and weekends, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Labor Day-Columbus Day, weekends, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Exhibits commemorate the Civil War, and in particular the contribution of Maine citizens to the war effort. Cost: Suggested donation of $5 per person.

Seashore Trolley Museum

195 Log Cabin Road Arundel, ME 04046 Phone: 207-967-2712

Open: May 27-October 10, daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; May6-May 21 and October 14-29, Saturday and Sunday.

This electric railway museum has a collection of more than 250 transit vehicles, most of them trolleys, from all over the United States, Canada, and other countries. Museum admission includes unlimited streetcar rides, access to the museum grounds and exhibit buildings, and use of picnic areas.Cost: Adults, &8; seniors, $6; children, age 6-16, $5.50.

Wells Auto Museum

1181 Post Road, Route 1 Wells, ME 04090 Phone: 207-646-9064

Open: Mid-June through September, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

This is a museum dedicated to the automobile, featuring over 130 cars, and auto ephemera. In addition, children and adults alike will enjoy the collection of antique toys and arcade games. There are over 70 antique automobiles on display including a 1963 Studebaker Avanti, 1949 Cadillac Fleetwood, and 1907 Stanley Steamer. In addition there is a fine selection of nickelodeons, antique arcade games, license plates, toys and more. Gift shop and antique car rides.