history
If you’re interested in history, a trip to Maine’s Lakes and Mountains offers plenty of opportunities to investigate one of many important eras in the state. Following statehood in 1820, Maine experienced great changes as industrialization boosted the economy and more railroads were built. The population diversified with the arrival of Irish and French Canadian immigrants, as well as Americans from neighboring states.
Politics was important in Maine in the 19th century, as citizens of the state would hold many prominent positions, including vice president. Head to Paris Hill to see the home of Hannibal Hamlin, who served as vice president under Abraham Lincoln. Hamlin’s well-preserved Greek and Colonial Revival-style home sits in a classic New England neighborhood with other classic 19th-century homes. Stop by the Hamlin Memorial Library & Museum, which was once the village jail and now includes artifacts that detail Maine life in the 1800s. This time period also saw the expansion of the Shaker community in Maine. From Paris Hill, take the scenic drive to New Gloucester and visit the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, the last active Shaker community in the world.
Many of our towns maintain active historical societies with museums open to visitors for limited times each month or by appointment only. For a list of historical societies visit MaineHistory.org.
Explore a Living History
The Washburn-Norlands Living History Center
Set on a 400-acre estate in Livermore, Norlands includes a stately Victorian country mansion with a farmer’s cottage, a gothic-style granite library, a Universalist meetinghouse, a one-room schoolhouse, and an expanse of picturesque working farmland. The staff and volunteers maintain the 1870s experience as much as possible to allow your visit to be as immersive as possible.
SABBATHDAY LAKE SHAKER VILLAGE
The few remaining Shakers in New Gloucester welcome visitors to tour the historic buildings and learn about traditional Shaker crafts or to enjoy the land. The museum consist of twenty-seven-period exhibit rooms that explore a continuum of over 200 years of Shaker heritage in the Maine Shaker Communities, including nearly 75,000 pieces of Shaker furniture, folk art, tools, fancy goods, artifacts, historical records and manuscripts, photographs, maps and drawings, artwork, and extensive archives.
Historical Sites and Museums
Plan Your Trip
Maine’s Lakes and Mountains offers a variety of resources to help you plan your next visit, including an annual visitor’s guide, stand alone map, and the new Adventure Guide App.
Visitor's Guide
Our Free Visitor's Guide will help inspire your next adventure along our mountain trails, lakes, scenic byways, bustling towns and more.
Map of the Region
Companion to the Visitor Guide, our dual-sided planning map will help you find your way to adventure in every season throughout the region.
Adventure Guide App
The App will point the way to all kinds of adventures, experiences and destinations in Maine’s Lakes and Mountains with GPS location maps and alerts.
