The story of Wabanaki Indian tribes over the years is chronicled in the two locations of Maine’s Abbe Museum. Bring the family to see artifacts and hear stories handed down from generation to generation. The museum originated in 1926 with the efforts of Dr. Robert Abbe, a physician who was dedicated to preserving artifacts from Mount Desert Island. View the exhibits of the archaeology involved and the relics discovered over nearly a century.
The Wabanaki, or People of the Dawnland, comprise four tribes: the Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot and Passamaquoddy. Begin to understand their unique traditions as you peruse samples of the museum’s 50,000 items in a collection spanning 10,000 years of history. Displays describe how the encounters of the Native Americans with colonial Europeans impacted the local people, often to the detriment of the Wabanaki. Despite problems from these encounters, the Wabanaki have maintained cultural traditions along with tribal schools and government across Maine.
Follow the transition of the Wabanaki from their ancient use of stone tools for hunting and fishing to contemporary decorative and functional works, including baskets and carvings. One delicate highlight is a 2,000-year-old flute made from a swan’s bone. On the modern side, see birchbark containers, woodcarvings and woven baskets in contemporary designs showcasing the craftsmanship and artistry of the Wabanaki in the 21st century.
Visit both locations of Abbe Museum. One, open year-round, is in downtown Bar Harbor across from the Village Green. The second, open daily from late May through mid-October, is inside the Sieur de Monts Spring entrance to Acadia National Park. Stop in the Bar Harbor museum gift shop to purchase authentic pieces created by Wabanaki tribe members as well as Native Americans from other parts of the United States. Call to ask about the possibility of participating in an archaeology field school event.
Exhibits change from year to year, so make the stop at the museum an annual event. Entrance fees are reduced for children and Native Americans are invited to enter for free. Plan a long vacation to Maine’s rugged coastline to enjoy the Abbe Museum and other attractions on Mount Desert Island.
