Origins of the Abbe Museum
The Abbe Museum was founded in 1926 and first opened to the public in 1928. The museum is named for its founder, Dr. Robert Abbe (1851-1928), an eminent New York physician known for his pioneering use of radiation therapy. A beloved summer resident of Bar Harbor, during the 1920s Dr. Abbe assembled a collection of early Native American artifacts found in the Frenchman Bay area. He persuaded others with similar collections to join him in establishing a museum that would protect these objects and display them for public education and enjoyment. Early supporters included George B. Dorr, "the father of Acadia," and John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
The museum opened as a private museum at Sieur de Monts Spring in Lafayette National Park (later renamed Acadia National Park) on August 14, 1928. It was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Abbe, who had died in March of that year.
Dr. Robert Abbe
Also in 1928, the Abbe became the first institution in Maine to sponsor archaeological research. The Museum continued to conduct extensive excavations and later expanded its archaeological research throughout Maine. It is now the main repository for archaeological collections from the midcoast region.
A Contemporary Role
From the initial focus on archaeology, the Abbe soon expanded its scope to include ethnographic materials from the 17th through 20th centuries. In 1931, Mary Cabot Wheelwright, founder of the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Santa Fe, donated an important collection of Native American baskets and other objects. Other major basket collections have been given to the Museum, and as a result, it holds the largest and best documented collection of Maine Indian basketry. The Museum also has acquired an extensive contemporary collection documenting the continuing Wabanaki craft tradition in Maine. The Abbe's collections now represent 12,000 years of Native American culture and history in Maine, and its conservation program has been recognized nationally as a model for museums.
As the collections grew, the Museum also expanded its educational role. Small exhibits on subjects such as basketmaking and the Museum's founding complemented the displays of archaeological artifacts. The Abbe also developed publications to share its scholarship with a broader audience. The Museum began collaborating with Native people and, during the 1980s and 1990s, mounted exhibitions on themes such as the birchbark art of Tomah Joseph, the role of Wabanaki basketmakers in the local tourist economy and the archaeology of the Ruth Moore site. The 70th anniversary exhibition Beads, Bones, and Ancient Stones was favorably noted in The New York Times. During recent decades, Native Americans have become increasingly involved in all aspects of the Museum, including policy-making as members of the Board of Trustees.
By the 1990s, the Abbe's 2,000-square-foot museum at Sieur de Monts Spring had become inadequate to house the growing collections and provided no space for indoor programs, changing exhibitions, or research. Because of its location, it could only operate seasonally. In 1997, the Abbe purchased the former YMCA building in downtown Bar Harbor. A $6 million capital campaign enabled the Abbe to renovate and expand the 1893 landmark to create a 17,000-square-foot museum with spacious exhibition galleries, indoor and outdoor program spaces, a research lab and state-of-the-art collections storage.
The Abbe opened its downtown museum on September 29, 2001, with permanent and changing exhibitions including the major installation of Wabanaki: People of the Dawn. All exhibitions at the Abbe are accompanied by a variety of educational programs for adults and families. The Abbe downtown location presents special programs for school groups designed to meet the objectives of Maine Learning Results. It serves the community year-round, while the trailside Abbe at Sieur de Monts Spring is open seasonally from mid-May to mid-October.
Smithsonian Affiliation
In spring of 2013, the Abbe Museum was honored as the first Smithsonian Affiliate in the state of Maine. Smithsonian Affiliations is a national outreach program that develops long-term, collaborative partnerships with museums, educational, and cultural organizations to enrich communities with Smithsonian Resources. There are more than 200 Smithsonian Affiliates in more than 46 states, Puerto Rico, and Panama. Read more about this important collaboration on the Abbe blog.
What does being a Smithsonian Affiliate mean?
We are part of a prestigious network of 215 organizations.
We work closely with the Smithsonian Institution to serve the public through custom-developed educational outreach, traveling exhibitions, and collaborative research.
We partnered with the Smithsonian on two recent exhibits - IndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas and Youth Capture the Cosmos II: Star Stories of the Dawnland.
We are able to bring collections fo the Smithsonian closer to the visitors of the Abbe, which also enables us to bring Wabanaki art and artifacts home to Maine where they can be accessed by Wabanaki communities.
We have a National Outreach Manager who serves as a direct liaison to all Smithsonian museums, research centers, and education/outreach offices.
We work with the Smithsonian to build a bridge between the local experiences of our own communities and the national heritage preserved and displayed at the Smithsonian Institution.
We reach larger audiences with stories that reveal our knowledge of the world, stimulate curiosity, and inspire learning.
Abbe staff attends the Affiliates Conference each year in Washington D.C., which provides access to a vast network of workshops and resources.
We have access to a network of supportive organizations, host venues, and shared expertise.
“The Abbe Museum is well-recognized for its outstanding collections, first-class exhibits, professional staff and commitment to education. With a mission that so thoroughly matches the work of the Smithsonian, we are honored to welcome the Abbe Museum into the family of Smithsonian Affiliates and look forward to working with this impressive organization to help preserve the rich heritage of Maine and share the inspiring stories of its people. ” – Harold A. Closter, director of Smithsonian Affiliations, announcing the Abbe Museum as the first Smithsonian Affiliate in Maine, May 2013
“Becoming a Smithsonian Affiliate will support exciting collaborations between our organizations, while dramatically expanding the Abbe Museum’s visibility in the market place and in Maine’s cultural community. Collaborative projects are key to the Abbe’s strategic direction. The Smithsonian is an incredible institution with tremendous scope in reach and resources. We are thrilled to share those resources with our community and members. ” – Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, former president/CEO of the Abbe Museum, May 2013
