Maine Granite Industry Historical Society Museum — Attraction in Mount Desert

This place ROCKS! It is really HARD not to like it. It’s so easy to get lost in your own mind when you’re there. This place is just down the road, so it’s easy for us to take it for granite. Ok, ok, seriously. Writing a review is tough when two kids are chiming in. Took them on Friday to learn how to polish stones. And then we couldn’t help but to go back Saturday. Steve is an amazing museum curator. Totally passionate, knowledgeable and kind. He spent a massive amount of time with my nephews, teaching, and encouraging, and giving them access to tools for a project. He then helped them make their newly polished stones into necklaces. He was super patient, and even stayed late on an incredibly hot day to help them finish. We also learned how to split stone with a feather and wedge. Steve helped them with safety, and technique. He managed multiple visitors, shifting his attention between, and offering different learning opportunities based on interest levels. For the group that was there at the same time, he gave a history lesson of quarries on the island. It doesn’t matter what age you are, there’s something for everyone! A perfect visit for a rainy day, or anyone with a desire to understand the world around them. By donation. And if folks donate based on value, Steve will fund his nonprofit for...

Family of four. Two boys 5th and 7th grade. We all enjoyed our visit to the Maine Granite Historical Museum, it really was great. We met the owner, Steve, he was very friendly, knowledgeable and nice to my children. We learned about the origin of the stone used in some prominent buildings from around New England, NY, Pennsylvania, some in California.

The location used to be a dealership for small engine machinery, eventually the owner turned the space into a museum to display decades of research and collecting of minerals from around New England..... And beyond!!! I say beyond with excitement because though it is mostly granite in the front section, there are a few samples and surprises in the back that are out of this world!! Oh, and did you know you can find marble from Vermont? Yes like in the ground!!!

Visiting this museum is a must for any vacation, and especially, if you're visiting Acadia National Park. After our visit to the museum, as I walked through the park I couldn't help but wonder and to imagine.

I found out only because I asked the owner, but this museum is run by donations. Please remember to donate so this great place continues to operate for...

We had some time to kill on a rainy day and we were interested in this museum after seeing a lot of the beautiful granites on MDI during our hikes around Acadia. We walked in right at the beginning of Steve’s fantastic presentation of the geologic and human history of the region; his passion for the rocks, the stone working process, and the preservation of history related to the industry is incredible. We really enjoyed exploring the specimens he’s collected on his travels and had a really nice conversation with him about some of the places we’ve been.

Being a rock nerd, I knew I would enjoy this place, but I think anyone who appreciates the intersection of local natural and human history (especially when it’s curated by such passionate people) would enjoy spending an hour...