Dorr Museum of Natural History

Located in the former Acadia National Park headquarters, the museum blends history, art, and science in a welcoming, interactive space. Highlights include:

• Dioramas of Maine’s marine and terrestrial ecosystems
• A live tide pool tank featuring sea stars, snails, and hermit crabs
• Seasonal exhibits on local flora, fauna, and geology
• Tactile displays that engage the senses
• A gift shop with nature books, field guides, and science-themed gifts

• Address: 105 Eden Street, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609
• Phone: 207-288-5395
• Spring Break hours: The museum is currently open by chance or by appointment only as the college is on spring break. To request an appointment, please email the museum director at cgraham@coa.edu. We will reopen with regular spring hours the week of April 6.  
• Cost: Admission is by donation.
• How to find us: College of the Atlantic is half a mile north of downtown Bar Harbor on Route 3 (Eden Street). The Dorr Museum is the first building on the left from the main entrance, across from the whale skull. Parking on campus is generally available but may be limited during campus events and on rainy days. The multi-use path on Rt. 3 provides easy pedestrian access from town. In the summer and fall you may take the free #2 Island Explorer Bus that stops directly behind the museum.

Every exhibit in the Dorr Museum is researched, designed, and installed by College of the Atlantic students as part of their interdisciplinary coursework. Drawing from fields such as natural history, studio art, biology, and science communication, students take the lead at every stage of the process—from initial research and concept development to fabrication and final installation.

Past exhibitions have explored topics ranging from bird migration and whale anatomy to bioluminescence and marine ecosystems. Many of these projects are deeply connected to senior theses, internships, or independent studies, allowing students to translate academic inquiry into public-facing storytelling that invites visitors to learn alongside them.

The Dorr Museum offers hands-on educational programs designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding of Maine’s natural world. Led by the museum’s education team and supported by COA students, programs emphasize observation, inquiry, and active participation.

Offerings include guided museum tours, workshops focused on whale anatomy and marine ecology, nature walks around campus, and scavenger hunts designed especially for younger explorers. Programs can be tailored to meet the needs of school groups, homeschool cohorts, youth organizations, and community groups, with experiences adapted for a wide range of ages and learning goals.