Our Museum
Built in the 1960s to house and display our large collection of artifacts, furniture, works of art, books and other materials related to the history of Camden and Rockport, our museum was recently refurbished due to a generous grant from the Camden Rotary Club.
The entrance features works of art by noted local artists William Barrett and Ezra Bramhall, a collection of late 19th and early 20th century Camden and Rockport souvenir china, and a stunning Art Deco chandelier from the Norumbega mansion.
The library is used for meetings, research projects and also to display some of our historic maps and large photographs.
The museum gallery is highlighted by several unique items: an historic Maine State Seal from the Camden Library Ampitheater, an enormous ship model that took more than 20 years to build, and a corner dedicated to Camden’s Civil War hero William Conway, who had two battleships named after him.
Our rotating exhibit currently showcases a collection of early children’s books, a selection of Civil War artifacts related to local men who served, childrens’ toys and dolls, and many other items. The collection rotates throughout the year.
Special Exhibit: A Tale of Three Books
Ship’s Log 1804-1814, illustrated 1848-9
Capt. John Lymburner of Belfast, Maine (1773-1815) was captured by the British on his brig Three Friends and was sent to Gibraltar, where he died of scurvy. This ship’s log, from a previous vessel Lucana, lists purchases, wages and other information about his travels.
In 1848, his daughter Jennette (married Samuel Locke) gave the logbook to her talented children John Lymburner Locke and Margaret Locke to use the blank pages as a sketchbook. The well-drawn and colorful illustrations demonstrate the children’s skill in copying from other books and familiar scenes in Belfast and the Midcoast. This sketchbook passed to Lizzie Pendleton, then to Martha Gross, and finally to Mary Nash.
History of Camden, 1859
John L. Locke grew up to be a Methodist minister and married Hannah Hunt, daughter of Simon Hunt of Camden. He was the author of the first History of Camden, published in 1859. John committed suicide in Belfast at age 43 on March 18, 1876. He and Hannah are buried in Mountain View Cemetery.
Frederick Conway’s Bible, 1823
Locke credited Frederick Conway in his Preface to the History of Camden as one of the people who provided significant help to him in completing his research on the history of the town and its people. Frederick Conway and his family lived in the Homestead, known locally as the Conway House, from 1826 until his death in 1885. This bible was given to him by his friend J. Sewall in 1823. Frederick, his two wives and daughters are buried in Mountain View Cemetery.