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What’s Been Going On at the Museum?
Gearing up for the first phase of our Grand Reopening on October 24, 2026!
Are you missing the Maine State Museum? You are not alone.
Many have expressed frustration that the museum has been closed for so long. The reasons for this long timeline? The renovation of the Cultural Building, the 55- year-old structure that houses the State Museum, State Archives, and State Library, has been much more complex than anyone expected. The Cultural Building’s needs required a down-to-the-bones rebuilding to comply with new building codes, achieve energy efficiency, create a safe and stable interior environment, provide better accessibility, replace worn-out finishes, and upgrade technology systems.
The good news is we’re getting ever-closer to reopening our doors next October, and we’re coming to a community near you this Fall.
Museum staff is now implementing plans for new exhibits and a family-friendly education center. It’s an all-hands-on-deck effort to pack, transport, and unpack stored museum collections, assemble exhibit cases, paint, install interactives, and re-establish museum workshops and labs.
Many thanks to Maine people and visitors for the continuing support and patience during this lengthy process. Museum staff are excited to unveil a sparkling, dynamic, engaging, and more comfortable Maine State Museum. Stay tuned for more details and mark your calendars for October 24, 2026!
New Exhibits Taking Shape
