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Create and take home your own artistic print of a Maine fish! Inspired by the traditional Japanese art of Gyotaku, which began as a way for fishermen to record and compare their catches—but we use replica fish instead of the real thing!
Let ‘s learn about Maine wildlife as we create art inspired by the natural world and the museum collections. Did you know a frog makes a wonderful model? Lets catch and draw one. They love to pose for us here at the museum. For ages 6-12. Camp runs 9 AM – 2 PM, June 24 […]
We think the owl family (technically two families) are so intriguing and extraordinary, we’re giving them a day of their own! Come learn about the amazing adaptations owls use to rule the night, and how to identify common Maine owls by sight and sound!
What do humans, whales, and bats have in common? Quite a lot, it turns out! We will talk about what makes a mammal a mammal, and the adaptations we can observe in a mammal’s fur, teeth, and feet to find out who they are, and what they’re good at. Skulls and pelts will be on […]
June 8 is World Oceans Day! The action focus this year is preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean. Come learn about the world’s most diverse and beautiful ecosystem, the ways in which pollution is harmful, and what we can do to help! Make a mini ocean diorama. Admission: $3 for adults, […]
Spring is coming and many people will do their "spring cleaning". Instead of throwing away items you no longer use, why not make some money with it? GWH is holding its second annual yard sale. Your small fee to rent a space will go towards helping to feed and clothe GWH's Glenn Stratton Learning Center […]
Join us for a fun morning visit to the museum’s very own wetland ecosystem! We will catch, identify, study and release pond creatures such as tadpoles, frogs, giant water bugs, water scorpions, dragonfly nymphs and more. Nets will be provided — wear suitable clothing and mud boots! Admission: $3 for adults, $1 for children.
In the state of Maine, there are 26 species listed as endangered, and 25 that are considered threatened. From the Little Brown Bat to the New England Cottontail, what are the challenges facing these species, and what can we do to improve their chances of survival? Come learn about some of the endangered specimens in […]
Let’s greet the return of spring abundance with a celebration of spring flowers! Take a (self-guided) walk on the museum trails, searching for flowers to sample and preserve. When you return to the museum with your bounty, create your own small flower pressings with a handy kit. You can also get some help identifying and […]
Atmospheric Water, the L.C. Bates Museum’s 2019 summer exhibition, will open Friday, May 10. A free public opening reception is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m. Atmospheric Water will showcase representations of the Maine landscape as it is affected by water. Leaving aside depictions of the ocean, lakes, rivers, and streams, this exhibition will consider the many […]
In honor of the National Math Festival, come try out this fun activity and learn why “soap bubbles are smart!” You will see square bubbles, cubic bubbles, spiral bubbles, saddle-shaped bubbles, wormhole bubbles, and parabolic bubbles. At the museum you may receive a Plum Landing journal to use to record your observations along the trails. […]
To celebrate Arbor Day, join us for a walk on the museum trails with a special focus on trees.
This popular annual outing involves a short walk to a very active vernal pool — an important habitat for native frogs and salamanders. Celebrate the return of spring as we learn to identify different frog calls, and carefully catch and release a variety of creatures from peepers to newts. You never know what we will […]
Everyone, especially curious children, has burning questions about our universe. How hot is the sun? How do we find out what conditions are like on distant planets? Some answers are known by scientists; some are hypotheses backed by solid evidence and observations; some remain complete mysteries. The historic L. C. Bates Museum at Good Will-Hinckley […]
Today we honor Sam Prescott, the Massachusetts patriot who joined Paul Revere on his famous Midnight Ride — and who gave his name to the administrative building here on campus, Prescott Hall. Hear the tale of Prescott’s historic ride, get a glimpse of what life was like in colonial New England, and bring home a […]
April is a great time to observe bats, because many are just beginning to emerge from hibernation. Come see some amazing taxidermied bats from around the world, learn fascinating bat facts and develop a new appreciation for the order Chiroptera ("hand-wing"). Admission: $3 for adults, $1 for children.
Citizen Science Day celebrates the important contributions that can be made to scientific knowledge by everyday nature lovers. Some Citizen Science projects are major undertakings, such as the ongoing efforts of the Maine Bird Atlas. Others are smaller in scale — it helps us at the museum to know what you’re seeing out on the […]
From marten to moose, Maine mammals are magnificent! Join us to learn about the more than 50 wild mammals that call Maine home. We will inspect the furs and skulls of a few species, and afterwards make a mammal craft to take home! Admission: $3 for adults, $1 for children.
Learn about many types of rocks and minerals and how we all use them. Write with a rock, make paint with a mineral, break a geode, and use crystals to make electricity. Marvel at the wonderful colors and shapes of our Maine mineral. Start a mini mineral collection. Admission: $3 for adults, $1 for children.
Learn about the reasons for seasons! The spring equinox was on March 20, and now we’re halfway to the summer solstice, the longest day of the year! Come celebrate what this day means for where our planet is in space! Find out why days are getting longer and the climate is getting warmer. We will […]
Look for the green! Grab a paper and green marker and see how many green things you can find and draw in the museum You will find green birds, insects, shells frogs and more that are well colored to camouflage in the green leaves and grass. Learn a little about the advantages of green. Make […]
Tour the sea shell collections to learn about the interesting adaptations of different sea shells. See and touch tube worms, scallops, cone snails, cowries and our local clams. Find out how their shells protect them and grow. Start a small shell collection to take home. Admission: $3 for adults, $1 for children.
Examine mammal skulls, teeth and claws to determine how they help each mammal. Learn how some skulls and their teeth are designed well for hunting, chewing wood or grazing. Count how many teeth a bear has and touch sharp bobcat teeth. Make a paper skull craft to take home. Admission: $3 for adults, $1 for […]
Join us for an afternoon of activities centered around animal tracks. In addition to creating your own tracking guidebook with rubber stamps, we may take a stroll outside, if weather permits! Admission: $3 for adults, $1 for youth under 18.
In honor of National Wildlife Day and the birthday of nature education pioneer Steve Irwin, join us for a guided tour of some of the remarkable animals from across the world that have found their way to the museum's collection. Admission: $3 for adults, $1 for youth under 18.