A Guide to Maine Museums

Farnsworth Art Museum

The Farnsworth Art Museum is located at 16 Museum Street in Rockland, Maine. Since its inception, the Farnsworth has collected and exhibited the work of nationally recognized artists whose careers have been closely associated with Maine. The collection is rooted in the history of Maine, her people, and their occupations and values, all of which is central to the Museum’s quest to celebrate Maine’s role in American Art.

The Museum enjoys 20,000 square feet of space and more than 10,000 pieces in its collection. The Farnsworth is home to the nation’s second-largest collection of works by Louise Nevelson.

The Museum’s Wyeth Center is one of only two centers in the country dedicated to the work of America’s first family of art: Andrew, N.C., and Jamie Wyeth.

Two historic houses are also part of the Farnsworth Art Museum: The 1850 Farnsworth Homestead and the Olson House of Cushing.

The Farnsworth Homestead was the home of Lucy Farnsworth, the Museum’s original benefactor. It is part of the Museum’s main campus. Lucy left instructions that her home retain its original design, with original furnishings, and be kept open to the public. As a result, patrons are invited to tour what was probably the first indoor bathroom with a flush toilet in the city.

Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth

The Olson House, located in nearby Cushing, was a popular subject for artist Andrew Wyeth. This house is featured in his 1948 painting, Christina’s World, which is owned by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Thanks to a family friendship, Wyeth was allowed to wander through this house as he pleased, and to use the upstairs as a studio. The house has remained mostly unchanged since 1871 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

The Farnsworth Art Museum offers school programs, family programs, studio programs, teacher workshops, lectures, youth and adult docent programs, video and film programs, and seasonal celebrations.

Farnsworth Art Gallery exhibits

The Main Museum is open Memorial Day through Columbus Day from 10 until 5 on every day, except for Wednesdays, when it stays open until 8. During the winter, the Main Museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 until 5. The Wyeth Center, Farnsworth Homestead and Olson House each operate on independent schedules.

Admission is free to members. Admission for nonmembers is as follows: Adults $12, Seniors $10, Students aged 17 and older $10. Ticket prices include admission to the Olson House and the Farnsworth Homestead when these buildings are open for regular summer hours. Admission to the Olson House may be purchased separately for $5. Children 16 and under and Rockland residents are offered free admission. The Main Museum is wheelchair-accessible. Please call 207-596-6457 for more information.