Near Bar Harbor in Hancock County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
Wabanaki Traditions
Acadia National Park
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 11, 2017
1. Wabanaki Traditions Marker
Long before Europeans arrived, Wabanaki people hunted, fished, gathered berries, and harvested clams on what we now call Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park. For generations, Wabanaki craftspeople sold handmade ash and sweet-grass baskets to wealthy tourists and guided summer residents in birch bark canoes around Frenchman Bay. As their ancestors did for thousands of years, Wabanaki people today continue their unique and enduring relationship with this land through tribal gatherings and cultural traditions.
Visit the original Abbe Museum, up the paved path, to see Wabanaki objects from 12,000 years ago to today. Dr. Robert Abbe (above) who summered in Bar Harbor, began the collection with stone tools he saw in a store window. He sketched these drawings of artifacts and his concept of the museum, which opened in 1928 thanks to support from his close friend George B. Dorr.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 44° 21.712′ N, 68° 12.449′ W. Marker is near Bar Harbor, Maine, in Hancock County. It can be reached from
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on Mount Desert Island and in Downeast Maine. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France and also Acadia.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wigwam/wikuwam (a few steps from this marker); Acadias Founding Father (within shouting distance of this marker); George Bucknam Dorr (within shouting distance of this marker); Sieur de Monts Spring: The Heart of Acadia National Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Acadian Lights (approx. one mile away); Volcanic Landscape Exposed (approx. one mile away); Mountaintop Retreat (approx. one mile away); Saved for Future Generations (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bar Harbor.
More about this marker. The background of the marker features a picture of birch bark canoes. A portrait of Dr. Robert Abbe and pictures of Wabanaki artifacts appear at the top of the marker.
The bottom of the marker contains photographs of The Burnuwurbskek Singers, a Penobscot male drum group, perform[ing] on the summit of Cadillac Mountain; David Moses Bridges, Passamaquoddy, demonstrat[ing] how to build a traditional birch bark canoe; and Wabanaki women danc[ing] at the annual Native American Festival and Basketmakers Market in Bar Harbor.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 11, 2017
2. Wabanaki Traditions Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 11, 2017
3. Marker in Acadia National Park
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 11, 2017
4. Wabanaki Wigwam
This traditional wigwam is located near the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 980 times since then and 43 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week November 30, 2025. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 17, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
