Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum — Attraction in Brunswick

The Peary–MacMillan Arctic Museum at Bowdoin has recently transformed into one of Maine’s most striking cultural spaces. Now housed in the new Gibbons Center for Arctic Studies, the building itself reflects its mission—built with sustainable mass timber and designed with an iceberg-like silhouette. It’s the only museum in the U.S. dedicated solely to Arctic exploration and culture, free to visit and open to the public.

Inside, the museum bridges past and present. Artifacts from Robert Peary and Donald MacMillan’s expeditions sit alongside Inuit art and oral histories, showing how exploration was never a solitary pursuit but one deeply connected to Indigenous knowledge. The collection includes everything from sledges and historic photographs to contemporary fashion and bold graphic prints from Inuit artists.

Two major exhibits define the current moment: Printed Textiles from Kinngait Studios, which uncovers mid-century Inuit fabric design, and At Home in the North, where traditional tools are paired with modern innovations like SmartBUOY technology. Together, they tell a story that’s as much about resilience and adaptation as it is about discovery. #brunswickmaine #arcticmuseum #bowdoincollege #inuitart...

My old, five star review from the former location within Hubbard Hall several years ago: "This is a very neat little museum that is well worth a visit. And it's free !"

My new, updated, 2025 review from my first visit to the new location really felt lacking. Very sterile. It was basically hanging tapestries and taxedermy. It is a cool building, which warrants the extra star. Content wise, I'm struggling to justify one star based upon how cool the old one was. I don't fear change. I actually overheard other people within the museum commenting to each other that this is not what they expected based upon previous visits to the former museum. I basically never write negative reviews at all. I was very, very disappointed and I can't...

A gem of a museum with a mix of history and art from polar exploration by Peary, Henson, and McMillan. Fascinating videos of Arctic exploration from the early 20th Century. A knowledgeable docent answered questions and shared stories. I had no idea of Bowdoin College's close connection to Arctic exploration. Note also that the ship Bowdoin was built at Hodgon's in Boothbay Harbor for polar exploration and is still in use. The Windjammer Emporium (a clothing store in Boothbay Harbor) has a related exhibit in the back of the store with additional film footage of McMillan. I was able to see...