The Abbe offers innovative exhibitions and programs on Maine’s Native American heritage. In recent years, the Abbe has grown from a small but lovely trailside museum, privately operated within Acadia National Park, to an exciting contemporary museum in the heart of downtown Bar Harbor.
At the Abbe's new downtown museum, visitors find dynamic and stimulating exhibitions and activities interspersed with spaces for quiet reflection. The history and cultures of Maine’s Native people, the Wabanaki, are showcased through changing exhibitions, special events, teacher workshops, archaeology field schools and craft workshops for children and adults.
From spring through fall, the Abbe’s historic trailside museum at Sieur de Monts Spring continues to offer visitors a step back in time to early 20th century presentations of the Native American archaeology of Maine.
The Abbe serves as an essential resource for helping teachers and students comply with new state legislation, known as "the Wabanaki Initiative," that requires the teaching of Wabanaki cultures and history in Maine schools. As Donna Loring, former Penobscot Nation Representative to the Maine Legislature and sponsor of the Wabanaki Initiative, has written, "With education will come understanding and with understanding will come respect...." Abbe staff members serve as facilitators and advisors for statewide programs to implement the legislation.
...................................................ABBE IN THE NEWS...............................................
August 14, 2009 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
N.E.A Funds Free Children's Workshop at Abbe Museum >
August 11, 2009 - WLBZ 2 NEWS VIDEO On FIELD SCHOOL
August 7, 2009 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Unearthing Ancient Artifacts on Maine's Coast >
July 21, 2009 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Abbe Museum's "Gathering Gala" is a Success >
July 2, 2009 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2009 Native American Festival in Bar Harbor Renews Ancient Trading on Maine's Coast >
June 3, 2009 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Artists Give Abbe Museum Much More than Art >
June 1, 2009 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Family Fun is Free this Weekend at the Abbe Museum >
April 29, 2009 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Native American Festival and Basket Makers Market set for Summer 2009 >
April 26, 2009 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Abbe Museum to Host Maine Archeology Society Meeting >
April 23, 2009 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Abbe Museum Hosts the 2009 Waponahki Student Art Show >
April 16, 2009 - The Bar Harbor Times
Ancient Artifacts and Cutting-Edge Ideas at the Abbe >
UPDATES COMING SOON!