Museums in Portland

Portland's Cultural Gems

Portland's cultural scene spans maritime history, fine arts, and community-driven performance spaces. The city houses the Portland Museum of Art, Maine's oldest art institution, alongside specialized collections like the Museum of African Culture. Historical landmarks include the 1807 Portland Observatory and the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, the childhood home of the famed poet. For families, the Children's Museum & Theatre offers interactive exhibits, while venues like Mayo Street Arts and the Portland Performing Arts Center showcase the city's active contemporary and theatrical landscape.

Portland's Cultural Gems — Map

A

Portland Observatory

The Portland Observatory is a historic maritime signal tower at 138 Congress Street in the Munjoy Hill section of Portland, Maine.

John Phelan / CC BY 3.0

B

Portland Museum of Art

The Portland Museum of Art, or PMA, is the largest and oldest public art institution in Maine.

C

Wadsworth-Longfellow House

The childhood home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, this 1785 brick residence is the oldest standing structure on the Portland peninsula. Operated by the Maine Historical Society, it features original furnishings and a colonial revival garden.

John Phelan / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Mayo Street Arts

Mayo Street Arts is a community arts and performance venue in the East Bayside neighborhood of Portland, Maine.

John Phelan / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Museum of African Culture

The Museum of African Culture Is a museum in Newfield, Maine, Maine, United States, that specialized in Sub-Saharan African tribal art and…

Kitetails / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine

Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine is located on Thompson's Point in Portland, Maine, and features a wide variety of interactive exhibits…

G

Grant Wahlquist Gallery

A contemporary art gallery representing emerging and established artists across various media, including photography, painting, and video installation.

H

Portland Performing Arts Center

A professional theater venue housed in a historic building, serving as the primary home for Portland Stage Company. The facility includes a 290-seat mainstage and a smaller studio theater for local productions.

I

Maine Jewish Museum

Housed in the restored 1909 Etz Chaim Synagogue, this museum celebrates the history and contributions of Jewish people in Maine through rotating art exhibitions and permanent historical displays.

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