Engage with the Abbe Museum on a deeper level through our Touch Tables, carefully curated hands-on displays that dive into a variety of themes with visitors of all ages. Themes like: FURS & BONES!

The land in the Wabanaki Homelands of Maine yields a wealth of animals including moose, deer, bear and smaller mammals, as well as plants. Before European arrival, the Wabanaki used bones (from the animals they hunted) in a number of ways. Bone is easily worked, yet is hard enough to make good tools. In the early 1500s, the Maine coast was being “discovered” by English, Spanish, and French fisherman who started bartering with the Wabanaki for goods such as furs and meat. Trade expanded, making the Wabanaki Nations part of an international market system which put a price on utensils, weapons, and animals (where before there had been none.)

***Touch tables are available on select days throughout the season. Please check our website (abbemuseum.org) or call to confirm.