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Field Trips, Programs and Tours
The Maine State Museum is currently closed. Check back for more details as we get closer to reopening in 2026.
Bringing a group to the Maine State Museum? When you visit, you can either explore the exhibits at your own pace or schedule a guided program with our experienced educators.
A full schedule of programs takes place in the museum’s galleries and features inquiry-based discussions, in-depth focus on artifacts, and hands-on, minds-on experiences designed to inspire and educate.
Most gallery programs and tours are 30 minutes in length. There is a maximum of 20 people per program, so larger groups will be split up into separate programs.
Tours of the Blaine House and State House are also available for field trips.
SCHOOLS
There are no admission or program fees for K-12 schools, including public, private, charter, or parochial school groups. A minimum of one chaperone per ten students is required, but more are welcome!
HOMESCHOOLS
There are no admission or program fees for homeschool families or co-ops. A minimum of one chaperone per ten students is required, but more are welcome.
SCOUTS, CAMPS, AND DAYCARE
There is a $6 fee per program. We offer a discounted group rate for museum admission- $2.00 per adult, $1.00 per senior, and $1.00 per child. A minimum of one chaperone per ten kids is required, and those chaperones will be free.
ORGANIZATIONS & ADULTS AND SENIOR GROUPS
There is a $6 fee per program. We offer a discounted group rate for museum admission- $2.00 per adult, $1.00 per senior, and $1.00 per child.
Helpful links
Have a special request or questions? Call 207-287-2301 or e-mail Maine.Museum@Maine.gov.
Museum Programs
- Logging Camps, River Drives, and Sawmills (Grades 2-12; Adult)
An exploration of what life was like in a 19th-century Maine logging camp and the dangers of river drives. We will examine some of the machinery involved in the harvesting and transporting of timber. - Ice Harvesting on the Kennebec (Grades 2-12; Adult)
An introduction to the history and tools of ice harvesting on Maine rivers. We will learn about the science behind keeping food cold and discuss the economic significance of one of Maine’s most successful 19th-century businesses. - Formation of Rocks and Minerals (Grades 2-12; Adult)
We’ll examine significant rock and mineral specimens found in Maine. Emphasis is placed on the formation, identification, and historic uses of these rocks and minerals. - Life Under a Log: Maine Reptiles and Amphibians (Grades K-6)
We’ll talk about the characteristics of specific reptiles and amphibians found in Maine. Students are encouraged to compare and contrast these characteristics with those of other Maine animals. - Sail Making and the Story of the St. Mary (Grades 2-12; Adult)
This program examines the techniques and history of sail making and shipbuilding in Maine. We will talk about the science behind harnessing wind power and discover the story of the St. Mary, one of the last wooden square-rigged sailing ships built in North America. - Landing the Lobster: Sustainable Lobstering in Maine (Grades 2-12; Adult)
Learn about the early history of the lobster industry and discuss the techniques and economic significance of lobstering in Maine today. We also take a closer look at the lobster’s anatomy and life cycle. - Wool, Water, and the Industrial Revolution (Grades K-6) Hands–on!
This program focuses on the process of preparing woolen yarn and how it has changed over time. Students will have an opportunity to card wool and then begin spinning it into yarn. - Defence: Uncovering a Revolutionary War Ship (Grades 4-12; Adult) Hands–on!
Hands-on activities introduce participants to underwater archaeology, map work, and the recovery and conservation of artifacts, all centered around the Revolutionary War privateer, Defence, and the Penobscot Expedition of 1779. - Coming Soon – Flying with Feathers
- Coming Soon – Flint Knapping
- Coming Soon – Petroglyphs
- Coming Soon – Meet Vector: Whales in the Gulf of Maine
