Portland Harbor Museum

Portland Harbor Museum, a hidden gem located on South Portland's waterfront, adjecent to Spring Point Ledge Light & Fort Preble and just down the street from Bug Light.

Founded in 1987, it's an exciting place to explore & celebrate the rich maritime history of Portland Harbor. Stop in & enjoy the intriguing exhibits and the museum shop.

Open now thru Memorial Day, Friday, Saturday, and Sundays 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Hours change in the fall)

For more information contact the museum at (207) 799-6337, email: info@portlandharbormuseum.org or visit them online at: www.portlandharbormuseum.org

The Frances W. Peabody Research Library

Located at 165 State Street, the Frances W. Peabody Library is another Greater Portland Landmark. Started by the Landmarks' Advisory Service, a volunteer group which offers technical advice on historic buildings. The Library has over 1,000 books in its collection including some special periodicals & unique collections. The collections were initially organized around the pooled specialized source material of the Advisory Service members. In 1983, the library was dedicated as the Frances W. Peabody Research library named for one of the most hardworking, generous and knowledgeable members of GPL. She was a great supporter of the library until her death in 2001. Thanks to gifts from generous donors and to carefully selected purchases, the library has grown over the years to become the most extensive preservation collection north of Boston. For visiting information call: 207-774-5561

Portland Observatory

It may look like a lighthouse but it's not!

This unique looking tower was constructed by Lemuel Moody in 1807 to serve as a signal station for Portland's harbor. The tower stands 86 feet high with visability of 12 miles. Moody would identify incoming vessels and signal merchants with coded signal flags. "Signalizing" allowed merchants time to reserve a berth on the wharves, and to hire a crew of stevedores before a vessel docked.

The Portland Observatory is the only extant maritime signal station in the United States and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. In 2006 it became a National Historic Landmark.

The Observatory was built at one of the highest points of land in Portland, known as Portland's East End.

Kudos to our friends at Greater Portland Landmarks, they manage the Observatory and handle guided tours. The view from the top is amazing so take time & visit the Observatory!
(207) 774-5561 or visit: www.portlandlandmarks.org