For the second summer in a row, I attended WW&F Railway's train ride and pig roast event…read more Knowledgeable volunteers conduct the ride, and the pig roast is second to none. Seeing the old equipment being used (like the hand-moved engine turn-about) is a highlight as is the shared experience with the other guests. There's plenty of time and plenty of food, so don't panic that the food line seems long; in fact, be prepared because there is lots of time left over after eating to explore the farm's lavender and roaming goats. Note: If you have mobility problems, this might not be for you: there are steps from the platform up onto the train and back down, a ride back and forth from the train to the farm site on a tractor-pulled wagon, and uneven grassy walking on the farm.

The railway museum is a snap shot of history that will transport you to a different time. This is a…read morereal working narrow gauge rail road where guests can take an old timey train ride through the forest on the original narrow gauge tracks. Volunteers and educators maintain the tracks, buildings, and on-site gift shop. There is so much to see and learn about this is a unique museum in that in these buildings you can look at, climb around, and literally touch history. I have not ridden the train (yet) I was simply there to admire and learn. It costs nothing to look around and explore the museum. They have plenty of parking, restrooms, water fountain. Dress for the weather and the grounds of the museum are not paved they are crushed gravel paths as this is a working railway station. You will be transported to the 1800's for sure.

Definitely not as shiny as the children's museum in Portland, but my daughter (4.5yo) loves this…read moremuseum. She really likes the dress up clothes. It's a fun place to play for a couple of hours and reasonably priced.

Small place with well set up rooms and many activities to try out and play with. The staff was…read morewarm, friendly and entertaining. Came with three children under 7. We will be back!

The Knox Museum is a true historical gem, not only for the small town of Thomaston, but for the…read moreentire state of Maine. The museum does an OUTSTANDING job of preserving the memory and legacy of founding father Henry Knox whom - to be frank - I was not familiar with at all (other than the one name drop he receives in the Hamilton musical). General Knox was born in 1750. In 1775, General George Washington chose Knox as his Chief of Artillery. He spent most of the Revolutionary War by Washington's side and following the war, he was chosen to be the first Secretary of War. Knox's Revolutionary War accomplishments include leading the expedition to transfer sixty tons of captured British cannon from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston, directing Washington's famous Delaware River crossing, and taking charge of the placement of the artillery at Yorktown. In 1795, Knox retired to a large tract of land, located in what is now Thomaston, Maine which his wife had inherited from her mother. On this land, they built an elaborate nineteen-room mansion and named it "Montpelier". The original Montpelier was torn down in 1871, but an exact replica was pain-stakenly built in its place in 1929 by the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The Montpelier Museum now houses many of the objects Knox kept in the original mansion that was donated by his descendants (including Marie Antoinnete's book case which is a whole wild story I'd never heard of before but is worth googling). A really interesting find and amazing legacy that Genera Knox has left behind in coastal Maine. If y'all ever find yourself up there I recommend making a visit! The museum and tour were a highlight of our most recent Maine trip.

It is so delightful to talk to volunteers who are so dedicated to their work. The Knox Museum is a…read morebeautiful building that was lovingly reconstructed and refurnished through tireless work by the volunteers, trustees and donations. We attended the annual Christmas Gala to see the decorations, which were beautiful, but the real fun was learning the stories of the building and its occupants from such enthusiastic volunteers. It was a lovely evening and we will certainly return again.

A great little gem on the coast of Maine. It was worth the long drive we took to get there but if…read moreyou are headed up the coast, you should make sure to stop. They have quite a number of buildings with exhibits in each and docents to help you along the way. They've done an extremely nice job with their presentation and items. And if you like boats, they have lots of boats and boat history! For me, having grown up in New England with family that goes back several hundred years, looking at some of the antique furniture was like looking at my childhood home :)

Local gem. Historic buildings. Fun to take the kids. You can spend hours or you can take a quick…read morekid friendly trip. It is a nonprofit in a small town and being from DC I didn't mind paying admission for a smaller museum. Kids can interact with some of the exhibits. They also offer kid friendly programs. Make sure to visit the historic church First Congregation on the property. It was a nice day and kids could also use the pond to steer remote control boats. Great stop in a charming town.

Another must see in Portland. I'm very impressed with all…read morethe furnishings dating back to the 1700's. Once again they've done an amazing job restoring to the original house. Thank you to the family for the donation!!

It's a History to Me…read more Founded in 1822, the Maine Historical Society's sole purpose is to preserve the history of Maine thru rotating exhibits that include historical photos and artifacts. The Good: *Free admission to the Longfellow Garden (May - Oct) during normal hours of operation *Wadsworth-Longfellow House is a separate part of the museum, with a separate fee ($18/GA). We didn't do this, so I can't comment if it's worth it. *Admission is reasonable at $12/adults *Reciprocity program with other museums, if you're a member ($25-75/year). *Located in beautiful Downtown Portland The Meh: *Not the world's biggest museum, as you can probably see the whole thing in 1-2hrs, depending on how much you read the placards for each item/display. The Ugly: *Location is in Downtown Portland, which is great, but you'll most likely have to deal with paying for parking at one of the garages. Pro Tip: If the garage DOESN'T advertise their pricing on the outside, then skip it on and move onto the next one that does. Evidently these predatory parking garages are a big thing here in DT Portland. Conclusion: Nice place to visit if you're in Portland and looking for a little culture.

This gem is filled with Maine treasures historical through "modern times"! So many interesting…read moreartifacts, nature/animals etc... to enjoy! My daughter & I have enjoyed it many times! Great spot to bring out of state friends & family on a rainy day!

You decide to visit Maine in the winter. Great. But it should be no surprise that there are not a…read morewhole heck of a lot of things to do when everything is covered in snow. Problem solved with the Maine State Museum. It does not look from the outside that this might be a hidden gem, but it certainly was. From the old train to the operational mill tucked through several floors inside, you really get a sense of how things were working back in the day. Overall, the museum is not the fanciest around and might be a little dated, but if you take the time to read the displays and walk the whole museum, you will come away being glad you made the stop.

Fantastic spot for respite from the sun, and explore the expeditions, art, and culture of the…read morepeople living in the Arctic! Highly recommend!

First time to the new building. Exhibit is much smaller than in the old building and has as much…read moreart as historical exhibits. Apologized to our company from out of town who have been to the Arctic several times.

We loved this gem of a small museum, with Wyeths and a special exhibit of his wife's work and other…read moreearly American art and some classics. Worth a stop when in Maine.

I assumed this museum was going to be pretty limited, but I was impressed with the variety of…read moreartworks on display. It's more than just the Wyeths; they have classic European artists and early American art. I loved getting to learn more about the local indigenous tribes and see the work of local artists whom I wouldn't otherwise get to see. Some of the art was even a bit risque, which was great to see at a small art museum. Highly recommend taking an hour or so to get lost in the Farnsworth.