If you have kids or grandkids interested in maritime history and you’re in or will be traveling to Maine, the Maine Maritime Museum has a deal for you.
As part of its ongoing effort to improve accessibility, the Maine Maritime Museum is offering free admission to all visitors under the age of 18. Thanks to support from Central Maine Power (CMP), the new admission structure will continue through December 2026, the museum explains.
“We are committed to making the museum accessible to all, and we understand that admission fees are a barrier to many in our community. We hope that welcoming children to visit the museum free of charge will provide more families with the opportunity to explore this special place,” Christopher Timm, Maine Maritime Museum’s interim executive director, said in a statement, a Boothbay Register story reports. “We are so grateful for Central Maine Power’s support of this important initiative.”
A Maritime Enthusiast’s Dream
Open year-round, the Maine Maritime Museum, which was founded in 1962, sits on a 20-acre campus on the banks of the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine, “The City of Ships.” The museum is “dedicated to promoting an understanding and appreciation of Maine’s maritime heritage and culture,” it explains.
“Discover Maine’s diverse maritime culture – from lobstering to lighthouses — on the grounds of a former shipyard where the largest ship the world had ever seen was launched in 1909,” the Maine Maritime Museum explains. “Our scenic offers indoor and outdoor exhibits and activities, daily lighthouse cruises, live demonstrations, and hands-on fun for the whole family. Stop by the Boat shop to see wooden boats being constructed using traditional techniques, visit with the blacksmith as he works in the forge, explore the original shipyard buildings, or sail aboard the 1906 schooner Mary E.”
A Significant Donation
Free admission for kids under 18 at the museum is possible thanks to a donation from Central Maine Power (CMP).
“We hope this partnership will encourage more Mainers to visit the museum to learn about our deep and rich maritime heritage,” Joe Purington, president/CEO of Central Maine Power, said, the Boothbay Register reports. “CMP has a long history of giving back to our surrounding communities and we’ve enjoyed our relationship with the museum over the past few years.”
Though the number of children who visit the museum fluctuates from month to month, Rebecca Roche, the museum’s director of development, says in a Times Record article that an estimated 5,000 kids and teens visit each year. The museum estimates 30,000 children under 18 will visit the museum between now and December 2026, according to Roche.
As part of its ongoing effort to increase accessibility for everyone, the Maine Maritime Museum has also partnered with Museums for All, a program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, to provide free admission to anyone with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card. As a participating institution, visitors can simply present their EBT card at the front desk to receive free admission for up to four people any time the museum is open.
“The museum is committed to identifying and breaking down barriers to access,” Katie Spiridakis, marketing and communications manager at the Maine Maritime Museum, said. “We recognize that admission fees are a barrier to many, and we hope that welcoming children to visit the museum free of charge will provide more families with the opportunity to explore this incredible place.”
Spiridakis went on to add that “We wholeheartedly support Museums for All’s mission of making sure everyone has the opportunity to experience the best museums have to offer.”
Know Before You Go
The Maine Maritime Museum is located in Bath, Maine, about 30 miles from Portland.
You can learn more about the museum’s hours of operations, fees, and even find directions and maps here.
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