Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland Maine

The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, Maine highlights works of art from American artists primarily from the late 18th to 20th century in its 20,000 square feet of exhibition space. The museum was founded and funded by Lucy Copeland Farnsworth who bequeathed in her will that one of the buildings she owned be converted into an art gallery and be named after her father. She was the daughter of one of Rockland’s most prominent businessman and in 1935, at her death, donated the sum of 1.3 million dollars to be used for the art gallery's establishment. The Farnsworth was opened to the public on August 15, 1948 through the auspices of her Board of Trustees and Robert Peabody Bellows.

The Farnsworth Art Museum highlights the works of American artists with associations to Maine and who have gained national attention for their works. The exhibits display American art at its finest. Walk through its many galleries and you will discover the names of artists associated with part of American art history such as Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Eakins, Thomas Sully, Fitz Henry Lane, Eastman Johnson, Childe Hassam, Frank Benson, and Maurice Prendergast. These prominent artists form part of the permanent collection of the Farnsworth Art Museum which is aptly titled "Maine in America".

The Farnsworth Art Museum has a sensible layout and visitors often comment that this layout makes it easy to navigate the museum. Although the museum spans two buildings and many galleries, you will still have a relaxing time just looking at the works of art that it offers. Because the museum houses more than 10,000 works of art, there is always something new on display. The Farnsworth Art Museum also offers a large library that is housed in its Rockland, Maine campus.

The museum is also known nationally for the The Wyeth Center which features three generations of America’s first family of American art, the Wyeth family. In this center you will be able to enjoy the works of N.C (Newell Convers) Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, and Jamie (James Browning) Wyeth. It is one of only two centers in the United States dedicated to the artistry of the Wyeth family.

N.C Wyeth is one of America’s greatest illustrators who illustrated for 112 books, including Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island. He also produced more than 3,000 realist paintings in his lifetime. His son, Andrew Wyeth, was also a realist painter, referred to as “Painter of the People”. One of Andrew Wyeth’s most famous works is Christina’s World (1948), depicting his neighbor Christina Olson. Jamie Wyeth is Andrew’s second son, who is also a realist painter. He prefers oil as his medium while his father worked mostly with watercolor and tempera. Jamie’s posthumous portrait of John F. Kennedy is one of his most famous works.

N.C Wyeth’s works are shown at the Linda Bean Folkers Gallery, Marylouise Tandy Cowan Gallery features the works of Jamie Wyeth, and the Hadlock Galleries and Study Center contain Andrew Wyeth’s works.

The Farnsworth Art Museum also houses the second largest collection of the works of prominent sculptor Louise Nevelson. Nevelson, a renowned sculptor in the twentieth century, was born in Russia but grew up and spent her adolescent years in Maine. She was a very prominent abstract expressionist sculptor who liked to work with everyday, commonly discarded things to create her works of art. Her works of sculpture still inspire artists and sculptors to this day.

Because of its mission to establish Maine’s place in the American art world, the collections in the Farnsworth Art Museum also contains quilts and samples of American craftspeople from recent American history. As a result, you can also view folk art and ship models in this museum.

Two historic homes are part of the museum’s properties as well, the Farnsworth Homestead and the Olson House. The Farnsworth Homestead is the home of benefactor Lucy Farnsworth. It is maintained with its original furnishings and serves as an historic example of the lifestyle of an upperclass family living in the late 19th century. The Olson House located in Cushing, Maine was the house that inspired “Christina’s World,” Andrew Wyeth’s most famous painting. The Farnsworth Homestead was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and The Olson House in 1993. Both houses are open for viewing by the public.

For more information about the Farnsworth Art Museum, visit their website at farnsworthmuseum.org

Rockland Breakwater Light - Rockland, ME

The Rockland Breakwater and Lighthouse rises prominently along Rockland’s coast. Its history dates back to the time when the thriving limestone industry dominated the Maine industry for two centuries. Limestones were heated in kilns to produce the sought-after lime which was used in building construction. The lime export, along with shipbuilding, fishing and fish processing fueled Rockland’s economy, as well as ice harvesting, granite quarrying, and steamship transportation. Rockland’s harbor was the busiest during these times.

In the late 1800’s, a breakwater made of granite was built to protect the harbor. It was almost a mile long. Over 700,000 tons of granite were used and a quarter of a million dollars was spent for this breakwater. A beacon was established and it was moved because the breakwater was extended several times. Charles Ames, the light attendant was hired to keep watch and he struck a metal triangle whenever a fog signal was needed. He was given $25 a month for his job. This was the beginning of the Rockland Breakwater Light.

In 1902, the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse was established. Congress gave $30,000 for its construction. The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse was made out of a 25-foot brick tower. A keeper’s house made of wood was attached to a brick fog signal building. The Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse was equipped by a fourth-order Fresnel lens. On October 30, 1902, the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse was lighted for the first time.

In the 1960s, the Coast Guard said that they would dismantle the structure. Amid public clamor against the destruction of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, the Samoset Resort took over the upkeep of this historic structure. In 1998, the Rockland City Council took over the upkeep of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse under the Maine Lights Program.

According to the Rockland City Council, this move was a way to preserve their history because the Rockland Breakwater Light is central to their heritage. The emblem and letterhead of the City of Rockland bear the image and symbol of the Rockland Breakwater Light.

In 1999, volunteers started to restore the Rockland Breakwater and Lighthouse. Now, the Rockland Breakwater and Lighthouse boasts of a float and a ramp so that people can access the restored site without having to walk the Rockland Breakwater. In 2003, the interior of the lighthouse was also restored. A mahogany bench was also placed on the boat deck so tourists can enjoy the view from the Rockland Breakwater. Tourists can also enjoy the Rockland Breakwater and the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse by taking a boat trip on one of the ferries that travel pass the Rockland Breakwater on their way to the islands of Vinalhaven and North Haven.

Rockland, Maine - Gateway to Penobscot Bay

Rockland, Maine is the first town you will see when you want to tour Penobscot Bay. Aptly named, “Gateway to Penobscot Bay,” Rockland, Maine dates back to about 200 years when it was a thriving port that supplied lime rock to the cities of the United States. Today, lobster boats cheerfully bob on the waters, proudly rubbing elbows with sophisticated yachts and schooners.

Rockland, Maine is best enjoyed when you are strolling around downtown. Downtown Rockland is a compact place and every place can be reached on foot without getting tired. When you’re raring for a long walk, why don’t you head to the Rockland Breakwater which is about a mile long and visit the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse. The views that this location offers will never leave you disappointed and during the summer months, you can learn all about this seaport town through their friendly tour guides.

Several parks line the harbor front such as the Snow Marine Park, the Harbor Park, and Marie H. Reed Memorial Park. Along these parks, you will also see the Rockland Fish Pier, the Coast Guard Pier and the Maine State Ferry Service Terminal. The North End wharves are also located in this area.

Souvenir and antique hunters will surely love the quaint shops that line Main Street. If the weather is not cooperative as Maine weather usually is, you can hole up in cozy bookstores such as the Reading Corner or the Breakwater Bookland. If you’d like to learn about the history of Rockland, Maine, Maine Lighthouse Museum is open to visitors and offers a cornucopia of Coast Guard and lighthouse paraphernalia.

Rockland, Maine is also the home to a collection of paintings from three generations of the famous Wyeth family in Maine including Andrew Wyeth, N.C. Wyeth and Jamie Wyeth. Their paintings are displayed in the Wyeth Center at the Farnsworth Art Museum located on main street in downtown Rockland. The Farnsworth Art Museum also has a number of collections from Fitz Henry Lane, Edward Hopper, and Rockwell Kent. You can also relive the past by visiting the Farnsworth Homestead, the Farnsworth Museum's very own historic house. The Farnsworth Homestead offers a taste of Greek Revival architecture and has been maintained as an authentic example of an upperclass family home from mid-nineteenth century Rockland. The Museum also maintains the Olson House which was the subject of numerous works of art by Andrew Wyeth, including his well-known 1948 painting Christina's World, owned by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. You can visit the Olson House in Cushing, Maine which offers a taste of a Maine saltwater farm.

If the weather permits, you can take a day sail aboard a windjammer cruise of Penobscot Bay or take the ferry from Rockland to Vinalhaven or North Haven. You can do some island touring because these are places to see. Working islands such as Vinalhaven and North Haven have their own unique charm and discovering them will surely make any day very special.

Rockland, Maine holds the title, “Lobster Capital of the World” and in celebration of its seafood industry, it hosts an annual Maine Lobster Festival in the first week in August. This allows tourists to enjoy a tasty meal of Maine lobster. Rockland, Maine also hosts the North Atlantic Blues Festival.

Historical inns such as the Berry Manor Inn, Capt. Lindsey House, and Limerock Inn offer rooms full of antiques and historical character that you can never find in modern hotels. Bountiful breakfasts are served every morning in these inns and you will feel like you are living the simple countryside life.

If you would like to sample Rockland, Maine’s fine cuisine, you should not miss In Good Company which is a trendy wine bar. Brick oven pizzas and fine pastas are also offered in Café Miranda and the Gallery Café at the Prism Glass. These restaurants offer food that will surely stay with you long before you leave Rockland, Maine.

There are many things to do for the regular visitor in Rockland, Maine. The 8,000-strong population are friendly and they treat all visitors to their thriving town with respect. That is why if you’d like a one-of-a-kind harbor town experience, Rockland, Maine is a good choice.

Vacationing in Camden ME - A visit to Rockport Marine Park

Rockport Marine Park located in Rockport, Maine s a thriving tourist destination with several historical landmarks such as the restored lime kilns that date back to the early 1900s when lime production was at its peak. Rockport Marine Park is also home to the statute of Andre the Seal. Andre was adopted by Harry Goodridge, a local diver and tree surgeon who found the seal pup abandoned by his mother in the Spring of 1961. Goodridge trained the seal over the years and Andre became a local celebrity in Maine. Andre entertained tourists and visitors in Rockport’s picturesque harbor with evening shows during the summer from the late 60s until his death in 1986 at the age of 26. A statue of Andre is dedicated to the friendship that sprung from a harbor seal and the human being who cared for him.

Those with an interest in history will appreciate the locomotive replicas that grace Rockport Marine Park. As you stroll along the park's walking paths, you will be treated with a view of one of Maine’s most scenic harbors. Daily cruises are also available with eco tours and gourmet sunset trips in which you can enjoy Maine’s seafood cuisine and the beautiful views of the local Maine coast and harbor all at the same time. For example, the cruise that sails off at 10:30 in the morning will give you three hours of sailing on Maine’s coast plus a lobster roll lunch, a good value for around 50 bucks. Rockport Marine Park is a worth a look for those who want a taste of Maine’s harbor life.

Maine Lighthouse Museum, Rockland, Maine

Maine culture would never be the same without lighthouses. Lighthouses served as beacons of hope for the wayward traveler. There was a time when the revolving lights served as a comfort for both the sailor and their families. They knew that the light could pierce the fog and guide their sailors home. Today, you can relive those moments as you visit the Maine Lighthouse Museum in the heart of the Midcoast in Rockland, Maine.

The Maine Lighthouse Museum contains the largest collection of lighthouse and lifesaving memorabilia. These artifacts remind the Maine Lighthouse Museum visitors of the heroism of the lighthouse keepers and the United States Coast Guard as they saved lives even in the most dangerous storms.

Visitors are treated to the largest collection of Fresnel lenses, working foghorns, search and rescue gear, boats, buoys, bells and ship models. All these are significant to the long history of the United States Coast Guard and Life Saving Services and pays tribute to their never-ending commitment to maritime safety. There is even an exhibit that educates the public about the role of female lighthouse keepers and the families of lighthouse keepers.

Immerse yourself in American maritime history in the Maine Lighthouse Museum. Visitors rave about the friendliness of the staff and volunteers who share with zest their knowledge and experiences to anyone who would listen. Some experienced firsthand this history as they have relations who played a part in the maritime history of the Midcoast.

Located at the waterfront in downtown Rockland, the Maine Lighthouse Museum is a tribute to all who have sacrificed their lives in providing safety amidst the uncertainties that the capricious coastal weather brings.

Camden ME Vacation Spot - Merryspring Nature Center

Part of any vacation to Camden Maine ought to include a visit to the Merryspring Nature Center. The Merryspring Nature Center is a non-profit, privately-owned 66-acre preserve and education center located in both Camden and Rockport, Maine. Merryspring has a number of nature trails and lush gardens that makes for an interesting outdoor stroll. This nature center is operated by a non-profit organization which holds educational talks and workshops throughout the year.

The Merryspring Nature Center is open year round on a daily basis with free public access. The place is open from sunrise to sunset and you will be able to enjoy well-groomed trails and abundant wildlife without the crowds that are typically associated with some of the other more popular Camden attractions. Merryspring Nature Center has an open meadow where dogs can run free and dozens of trails waiting to be discovered. The gardens are well-kept as well. There is a garden especially made for children.

Merryspring Nature Center was founded by a horticulturist named Mary Ellen Ross in 1974. Mary Ellen Ross had a mail-order plant business and bought the land where the Merryspring Nature Center stands with the help of her friends. Today, it is a haven for nature lovers to learn about and enjoy plant life, the outdoors here in Maine, and the local natural habitat.

Vesper Hills Children's Chapel - Rockport, Maine

One of the more interesting sights to see during your Camden Maine vacation is the Vesper Hills Children’s Chapel in Rockport Maine. It stands on top of a rocky ledge, a replica of a pine Swiss Chalet. This non-denominational outdoor chapel gives its visitors an impressive view of Penobscot Bay. The brainchild of Helene Bok, Vesper Hills Children’s Chapel was built on land she purchased in 1960. There is a dedication plaque in the chapel which reads as follows:

This chapel is built to the memory of all young people who have passed through this world and gained God by so doing. It stands for freedom of thought, prayer and action. It stands for holiness within the body, and for God in the heart each waking hour. May the Lord bless all young people who come here for spiritual and mental refreshment. — Helene Bok

The location of the chapel was once a summer estate and residence and subsequently a hotel called the Tamarack Lodge until it burnt down in 1954. The Vesper Hills Children’s Chapel is open to the public and its grounds, outdoor gardens, and outdoor chapel are used for many special occasions such as weddings, ceremonies, and other special events during the spring, summer and fall. Part of the original foundation from the old Tamarack Lodge has been artfully used as part of the scenic landscaping and the surrounding gardens. There is also an herb garden on the grounds and trees like birches, willows, and pines that serve to accentuate the beautiful landscaping. A carpet of green grass covers much of the grounds which makes this a perfect place for a romantic picnic or a casual outing with the family. Although a popular wedding destination, Vesper Hills Children’s Chapel offers the visitor some peace and quiet, away from the buzz of modern living from mid-April through October.

Laite Memorial Beach in Camden Maine

There are few accessible sandy beaches on this part of the Maine coast mostly because of the rocky shore line. If you are looking to take a refreshing dip in the cooling waters of Penobscot Bay during your vacation stay in Camden, then Laite Memorial Beach near downtown Camden along Bay View Street is a good choice. A small narrow pebble beach with free public access and somewhat limited parking, this is an active and thriving area where different activities are offered. You can view Camden Harbor from Laite Beach as well as the Camden Hills and Mount Battie in the background. With its everchanging beach width because of the tides, the beach provides a good venue for kids to explore the beach's shore line for sea shells, snails and crabs. During the summer, there is a swimming platform anchored a 100 feet offshore for those who do not mind swimming in the brisk cool waters of the Atlantic ocean.

Children will have the most fun in Laite Memorial Beach because of the welcoming grassy park area with swings. The Children’s Amphitheater also offers different activities for children during the summer. The park has bathroom facilities, picnic tables, and grills. Laite Beach is the perfect place for the whole family, especially after a hot summer's day of sightseeing and shopping in the local Camden area.

Barrett's Cove on Megunticook Lake in Camden, ME

If you want to enjoy fresh water swimming in a pristine Maine lake with spectacular views of surrounding mountain cliffs minus the usual crowds in the summer, then Barrett’s Cove on Megunticook Lake is the perfect place. Barrett’s Cove Beach on Megunticook Lake is approximately three miles from downtown Camden Maine on Route 52 north towards Lincolnville Center. This town-owned lakeside beach gives you breathtaking views of the rock cliffs that rise from Megunticook Lake including the 800-foot Maiden's Cliff marked by a large white cross and the Camden Hills nearby.

Barrett's Cove Beach is free and parking is easy and accessible. The beach has a designated roped off swimming area and there is a diving float anchored a few hundred feet from the shore. There is also a large shallow swimming area for smaller children which allows them to play safely in the water. The beach has an adjacent grassy picnic area with grills and a playground with public restrooms which makes this an ideal spot for a family outing.

Besides swimming Barrett’s Cove provides a good location for putting in a canoe or kayak. Megunticook Lake provides plenty of sightseeing opportunities and exploration for boaters of all types. There is a nearby public boat access and launch for larger boats. If your family is feeling adventurous Barrett’s Cove in Camden, Maine also offers rock climbing facilities in this ideal cliff location.

Barrett’s Cove gives weary travelers a chance to rejuvenate with the family after a long hot summer's day of sightseeing and local attractions in Camden. Picnic tables, public restrooms, outdoor grills, and a quaint sandy fresh water beach make this a ideal and convenient spot for a family to spend a few hours as part of their Camden Maine vacation time.

Maiden's Cliff, Camden Hills State Park

Maiden's Cliff offers just one of many spectacular views in Camden Hills State Park. Maiden’s Cliff is a rock formation that juts out over an 800 foot sheer cliff that overlooks Megunticook lake and Ragged Mountain to the west and is one of the most popular hiking trail venues in Camden Hills State Park. However, for all its breathtaking beauty, its history belies a very tragic accident.

In May of 1864, an 11-year-old girl named Elenora French fell off the steep cliff. She came to Maiden’s Cliff with her sister and a teacher and some other friends. Her sister recounted the horrible accident in the Camden Herald, the local newspaper, in 1915. The sister recounted how some members of her family, including Elenora hiked up to the steep outcropping of rocks to witness the spectacular views from the top of the cliff. Elenora’s sister told of how Elenora was traipsing along with them when her hat was blown off. She chased after her hat and was putting it on her head when a strong gust of wind pushed her off the edge of the cliff. They heard a scream and poor Elenora was seen at the base of the cliff. Elenora suffered from internal wounds and died a day after the fall.

In memory of the little girl who perished in this beautiful but treacherous spot, a man named Joseph B. Steams erected a white cross on Maiden’s Cliff. Years later, when the cross was beaten by the elements, a new one was erected to commemorate Elenora’s life which was tragically cut short by this accident.

The white cross was replaced four times before the Air National Guard helped in raising a 600-pound cross on the rocky outcropping. It measured 12 feet by 24 feet and looked formidable. In 1986, a monument was erected as well to commemorate Elenora French’s death. Roy Brown and Sam Dyer rode in two all-terrain vehicles to carry the supplies for the monument. Piled with tools, cement, and water, the two labored to install a granite monument for the little girl Elenora. They traveled through the rocky paths and through woods towards the white cross. Drilling the rock, they installed the monument right at the base of the white cross. However, in 1988, vandals managed to topple over the cross. The Camden Fire Department Rescue team righted the cross and it stood proudly once again on Maiden’s Cliff in Camden, Maine.

When the elements weathered the cross, it was replaced by a steel one. On Memorial Day of 1992, a steel cross reinforced by equally strong steel cables was erected for Elenora French. It was weather-proofed by epoxy paint and was tested for all kinds of weather conditions. And there it stands now, a testament to a throng of caring people who were determined that the young life curtailed by Maiden’s Cliff will always be remembered.

Today, the white cross can still be seen by the thousands of visitors who come to marvel at the view from Maiden’s Cliff. Some of them combine the Maiden Cliff Trail with other trails offered by the Camden Hills State Park. The trail leading to Maiden’s Cliff is one of the most popular trails in the network of trails provided by the Camden Hills State Park. Its steep and rocky paths may be difficult for beginner hikers. Be forewarned that this trail may be demanding for some. However, the difficult hike will be well worth it because the view from the 800 foot elevation is impressive to say the least. You can see Lake Megunticook and the Atlantic ocean from Maiden’s Cliff in Camden, Maine. That’s why most hikers brave the steep trail to see this unequaled view of the Maine countryside. It is a beauty wrought from a tragic death mingled by nature’s quiet splendor.