Bucksport: Museums, Film and Art

Bucksport brings together historic museums, film and art, walking and nature trails, and events. If you’re looking for a hotel in Bucksport, you can plan your trip around which of these themes matter most to you.

History in Buildings and Collections

The Bucksport Paper Mill Museum is housed in a former gatehouse of the paper mill at 4 Mariner Way. It displays historical photographs, documents and artifacts collected by former paper mill employees and their families. The Bucksport Historical Museum is located in an 1874 train station and displays artifacts related to local history. The two museums have different focuses: one on the former paper mill and materials collected by employees and families, the other on local history.

Another historic building is the Brown-Pilsbury Double House on Franklin Street. It is a two-story timber-frame building in the Federal style, with shingle siding and a gabled roof. The town’s 2017 comprehensive plan also lists nine properties in Bucksport that are included in the National Register of Historic Places.

Film and Art

The Northeast Historic Film archive is located in the Alamo Theatre, a restored cinema dating from 1916. The study center and technical services are housed there, along with a 125-seat auditorium for film and video screenings. The Lighthouse Arts Center complements this cultural focus with a gallery on Main Street featuring more than 100 artists. The film archive, screening room and gallery offer different starting points for planning your trip around your interests.

Walking Trails and Nature

The Bucksport Waterfront Walkway is mostly flat and suitable for strollers, wheelchairs, and visitors with mobility impairments. There are public restrooms at two locations along the Walkway. For the Miles Lane Walking/Nature Trails, the town’s 2017 comprehensive plan gives a length of three miles and lists hiking, biking and cross-country skiing as activities. Check current trail conditions before your visit.

The planning details provided differ: for the Waterfront Walkway, the focus is on accessibility and restroom locations; for the Miles Lane Walking/Nature Trails, it is on length and activities.

Events and Local Stops

The Bucksport Bay Festival is an annual July event held at the waterfront, featuring fireworks, a parade and music. If you’d like to plan your trip around it, check the dates for your desired year. The Unique Rock Shop is another option for a seasonal visit: it offers Maine tourmaline and lets visitors cut a geode. Since the shop is seasonal, check in advance whether it will be open during your trip.

The Friars’ Brewhouse is a taproom and gastropub operated by the Franciscan’s of Bucksport. Together with the museums, gallery, film archive and trails, it offers a range of themes to guide your trip planning.

Discover more destinations: Swans Island, Gouldsboro, Brooklin, Dedham, Mount Desert, Castine, Ellsworth, Orland

For the main travel overview: Hancock.