Bar Harbor in Hancock County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
The Abbe Museum & Congregational Church / Le Musée Abbe et L'Élise Congrégationaliste
Bar Harbor, Maine
— The Museum in the Streets —
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 10, 2017
1. The Abbe Museum & Congregational Church Marker
The original Abbe Museum, which still exists at Sieur de Monts Spring, was founded by Dr. Robert Abbe, a surgeon from New York and a Bar Harbor summer resident, who assembled a collection of early Native American artifacts found in the Frenchman Bay area. Built in 1893 as a real estate and law office, this structure was purchased by the YMCA in the early 20th century. The YMCA added a gymnasium and pool. In 2001, the building opened as the Abbe Museum’s second location and offers changing exhibitions and an exciting programming schedule for all ages.
The Congregational Church across the street (dedicated in 1951) stands on the site of the first schoolhouse in Bar Harbor. The schoolhouse was moved to make way for a first church known as The Union Church, which was replaced by a lovely granite church in 1881 and sadly destroyed by fire in 1942.
Erected 2013 by Museum in the Streets. (Marker Number 14.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Native Americans.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Village Burying Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Saviour's Episcopal Parish Welcomes You (within shouting distance of this marker); The YWCA and Jesup Memorial Library / La YWCA et la bibliothèque Jesup (within shouting distance of this marker); Village Green (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Donald A. Wood Band Stand (about 400 feet away); The Village Green / Le Jardin Public (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bar Harbor.
More about this marker. A photograph on the left side of the marker contains the caption “Wabanaki encampments were a common place for rusticator (city dwellers who escaped to Maine for a more rustic lifestyle) recreation – canoeing, performances, storytelling – in the 1800s and early 1900s in Bar Harbor. This scene depicts tents behind Ells’ Store in the Bar Harbor
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 10, 2017
2. The Abbe Museum & Congregational Church Marker
Above this is a Photograph of a Wabanaki and includes a caption of “Every visitor to Bar Harbor knows ‘Big Thunder’ the ancient Indian, who for years had canoed the children of summer visitors, and the parents oft-times themselves when they were children, about the points of interest in the bay. (BHR Centennial Souvenir Edition, July 1896.)”
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 10, 2017
3. Marker in Bar Harbor
The Abbe Museum can be seen behind the marker.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 10, 2017
4. The Abbe Museum
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 10, 2017
5. Bar Harbor Congregational Church
Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 21, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 263 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 21, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the French text. • Can you help?
