Welcome to the Belfast Museum in Maine

Museum Closed for the Season
Open by appointment

207-338-9229
hello@belfastmuseum.org

Photographer Peggy McKenna Self Portrait

October Presentation

McKenna and Her Camera: Artists and Their Work

When: 7pm, Monday, October 28, 2024
Where: Abbott Room* at the Belfast Free Library
Cost: Free ($5 donation appreciated)
*Event limited to 75 attendees.

Kevin Johnson, photo-archivist Penobscot Marine Museum, will present Peggy McKenna’s “unportraits,” photographs of artists and local celebrities living and working in the midcoast 1987 to 2002. With some time out working in New York City as a photographer, she spent most of her adult life photographing the life and people of Montville and Waldo County, working as staff photographer both for the Republican Journal (1980-83) and the Waldo Independent (1988-2002). This program is in conjunction with shows this summer at both the Penobscot Marine Museum and Waterfall Arts.

Full 2024 Program Schedule

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BHSM Publications

Introducing Belfast, the newest book in Arcadia’ Publishing’s Images of America series available for purchase at the Museum.

Co-authors Megan Pinette and Jane McLean have assembled informative and entertaining text with photographs from the Belfast Museum, Belfast Free Library and Penobscot Marine Museum collections. Earle G. Shettleworth, Jr, Maine State Historian, wrote the foreword.

The book highlights Belfast history from early settlement in 1770 to 1953, the year we celebrated 100 years as a City. Belfast will feature both photographs and text which highlight our history from 1770-1953. Chapters will include "Belfast Views", "Making A Living", "Home Sweet Home", "Celebrations" and more.

Books will be available for purchase at the museum, local outlets, and Amazon.

Watch the video about this exciting release!

Become a BHSM Member

Joining or renewing your membership costs only $20, and shows your dedication to preserving and sharing Belfast’s unique history. Your financial contribution provides for community programs, educational events, scholarships for future historians, artifact preservation and museum operations.

10% discount to all members on retail items available at the museum, including our new book Images of America, Belfast.

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Featured Video Presentations

More BHSM Videos

These programs are held at the Belfast Free Library. Check schedule for dates and time. Many of our recent programs can be viewed on our Vimeo channel.

Many more short Belfast History videos on our YouTube Channel

Belfast History is Your History!

We need your support to keep the Belfast Historical Society & Museum open and continue to preserve Maine's coastal history. Please consider a small donation.
Thank you!

What People Are Saying

“Belfast History Comes Alive”
The Belfast Historical Society & Museum is a hidden gem right off the town's center. I visited with my small group on a recent Saturday and we found the collection interesting and the staff friendly.

—Visitor from Warren, Massachusetts

“Great Little Museum”
If you are in Belfast or from Belfast there is no reason why not to spend 45mins or so at this free museum. It has tons of interesting articles, artifacts, and pictures of the history of this charming little town. It can ben done in 30mins or over an hour, however long you wish. Don't forget to visit the barn next door too. Really enjoyed reading about the history of the town, it has a lot of it for such a small place.
— Visitor from Miami FL

“The perfect little museum”
This is a wonderful place. Megan, loves to help, we are now looking up the history of my house. Fascinating history. Open during the tourist months.
—Visitor from Belfast, Maine

Join Us and Participate at BHSM!

Are you looking for a way to support our community?
There are many ways to contribute and preserve Belfast's history.