Maine Maritime Museums Merge for Geographic Expansion and Sustainability

Portland Harbor Museum and the much larger Maine Maritime Museum were both dedicated to understanding and appreciating Maine’s maritime history and culture. The museums decided to merge to allow Portland Harbor Museum’s significant collections and membership to be sustained and served by Maine Maritime Museum, while also expanding Maine Maritime Museum’s programming, membership base, and fundraising efforts to Portland, Maine’s largest city. The SeaChange-Lodestar Fund funded the one-time costs of planning and integration of the merger. By sharing collections, programming, and staff, the newly merged museum could reach larger audiences, diversify exhibitions, and strategically position the museum to be financially sustainable.

Grant Information

Grant Amount: $30,000

Year Granted: 2010

Grantee: Maine Maritime Museum

Location: ME - Maine

Grantee Website: Maine Maritime Museum