L.C. Bates Museum
About
Described as a "museum of a museum," the L.C. Bates Museum preserves one of Maine's most complete early 20th-century natural history interiors. Housed in the 1903 Quincy Building — a Romanesque Revival brick schoolhouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places — the museum was founded by George Walter Hinckley as part of Good Will Home, a pioneering institution for children in need. The collection spans 32 Maine wildlife habitat dioramas whose painted backgrounds were created in the 1920s by American Impressionist Charles Daniel Hubbard, alongside galleries of birds, mammals, marine life, insects, reptiles, and minerals. Additional exhibits cover archaeology, Americana, art, ethnology, and Maine history, together presenting a layered portrait of the natural world and the culture of collection. Surrounding the building is Sun Set Park, an arboretum partly designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers landscape firm, with walking trails that connect indoor and outdoor learning. Admission is among the most affordable in Maine: $4 for adults and $1 for youth under 18. Open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am–4:30 pm, April through mid-October; winter visits by appointment.
🏠 Homeschool Programs
Offers group rates and field trip programming. Contact the museum to arrange homeschool visits.
Subject Areas
Best For
Hours of Operation
Open April through mid-October, Wednesday–Saturday 10 am–4:30 pm (last entry 4 pm). Winter visits by appointment only.
Hours change seasonally — verify before visiting.
Admission
Paid admissionAdults $4, youth under 18 $1. Group rates available.