Abbe Museum and Machias Savings Bank Partner to Offer Free Admission

The Abbe Museum is currently offering free admission during the 2015 winter months, thanks to the generosity of Machias Savings Bank. Admission will be free February 5, 2015 through April, and then again in November and December.

“This is a perfect example of why we love our community partners,” said Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, Abbe Museum’s president and CEO. “Machias Savings Bank has been supporting the Abbe Museum since 1991, and we truly value this partnership, which has been critical to ensuring that we can fulfill our mission as an important cultural and educational resource for Hancock County and the State of Maine.”

Thanks to Machias Savings Bank’s support, for the first time in the Abbe’s 12 year history in downtown Bar Harbor, free admission was offered during the 2014 winter months. The impact of this program was palpable: the Museum experienced a marked increase in visitors from within the state of Maine over the course of 2014. In February 2011, the Abbe had 86 visitors from throughout Maine, while in February 2014, the Abbe had over 170 visitors from around Maine, a 97% increase.

“We at Machias Savings Bank are once again honored to help the Abbe Museum provide admission free access to all that the Museum has to offer,” said Branch Manager, Matt Horton. "I got a sneak peek at the Museum’s new exhibit, Coming Home, and even in its installation phase, it’s really impressive. I encourage everyone to take the time and visit the Abbe.”

The free admission program helps raise the Abbe’s statewide visibility as the only museum dedicated solely to sharing the story of the Wabanaki Nations. As Maine’s first and only Smithsonian Affiliate, the Abbe believes that free admission in the winter aligns nicely with the Smithsonian’s goal of being easily accessible to the public.

The Abbe is currently closed until February 5, 2015. Winter hours are Thursday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm.