What are the birds that stay during our chilly Maine winter doing? Explore how birds adapt and survive in our northern latitude. Make a bird craft to bring home.

Explore the animals and plants that define the holiday season. Why does Santa have reindeer? What cultures had traditions of mistletoe, holly and bringing a big green tree into their homes? Why do the Hanukah lights traditionally have olive oil in the lamp? Find out answers to these questions and make a fun holiday craft […]

What are all the animals out there doing to survive? Not many of them are truly hibernators, so what ingenious methods do they have to help them thrive in winter? Find out the secrets of chickadees, the amazing structures built by beavers, and the incredible ability of squirrels and other animals that store food to […]

Forgo all that shopping! Or shop here at the museum after your fabulous Animals in Winter program! What are all the animals out there doing to survive? Not many of them are truly hibernators, so what ingenious methods do they have to help them thrive in winter? Find out the secrets of chickadees, the amazing […]

How do Maine animals survive in winter and what adaptations do they use to survive? Come on a tour with a museum guide to learn some of the amazing adaptations of mammals, birds, insects and amphibians. Hibernation is one way to survive but many animals adapt by growing more fur and being active. Admission to […]

Come on a fall walk to enjoy the leaf changes and explore the trails with a museum guide. Discover why the leaves change, create fall leaf art, and enjoy Maine’s natural wonders.

The incredible colors of fall inspire this program filled with autumn leaves and fun. We will be outside for the program if weather permits, so wear warm clothes!

All day is Smithsonian Museum Day, a day to honor and visit your local museums! Come visit, try out a museum scavenger hunt, and discover the gem that is the L.C. Bates Museum! Go online to print out the Smithsonian magazine coupon and your admission is free!

Come explore all things Earth Moon! We will have out telescopes but also have indoor activities to understand moon phases and make a moon craft. This event will take place rain or shine!

Come help us celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Dartmouth Trail on the campus of Good Will-Hinckley. We hope to have 100 people come walk the trail for our 100 Years, 100 Hikers event. We are hoping 100 hikers will help us celebrate by walking the Dartmouth Trail any time between 9 AM and 4 […]

Discover some secrets of migration and learn who to look for in your woods and fields this time of year.

The Perseid meteor showers are a lovely sight in August! We will discuss the meteors, lie out in the field to view the shower, and set up moth lights and bait to enjoy some nocturnal insects that visit us. Bring a towel or blanket and a flashlight!

Bring your favorite bear for teddy bear “tea”, learn the history of the Teddy bear, and enjoy fun teddy bear art. This is especially fun for preschooler and kindergarteners!

Learn about the art of fresco and make your own beautiful fresco piece. Artist Barbara Sullivan will present this workshop to introduce participants to the process of making a work in fresco as they create their own work. Fresco is a technique of painting executed upon freshly-laid or wet lime plaster. Water is used as […]

Come celebrate the summer solstice and view the sun’s surface! In the USA and some other areas in the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice marks the first day of summer. At L.C. Bates, you can look through a telescope safely at our sun, try out fun sun activities, and make your own sun model to […]

8:00 AM: Bird Walk — Bring your binoculars! 1:00 PM: Trail walk for “Snack Stand,” an installation by artist David Borden This year, our National trails Day is extra special with an installation by an artist guest, David Buckley Borden who installed a special art project on our trails. Borden is partnering with Trifecta Editions […]

This is wonderful time of year to explore a pond! Come join us for outdoor fun at our pond using nets to capture and release some of the interesting residents of a wetland. A museum expert will guide visitors as they explore the wonders of wetlands. The museum will have indoor activities in the case […]

Ever wondered about the little wildflowers in your woods? Come on a walk to discover the beauty of native wildflowers that have fleeting but important lives in our forest ecosystem. Learn ID tricks you can use on walks and hikes in your own neighborhood.

"Watson Pond", by Matt Russ. The L.C. Bates Museum is proud to announce its new exhibition Seasonal Scenes: The Beauty of Rural Maine, opening on May 8, 2015. The exhibition will run through September 10, 2015. The show, the result of a collaborative effort between the L.C. Bates Museum staff and two Colby College students, […]

Come take your photo with Gertrude the Groundhog and find out her prediction for the coming winter days!

Explore outdoors with snow shoes to view the great amounts of animal traffic suddenly apparent in the tracks in the snow. Learn a few tips on what to look for around your home. We will have some extra snow shoes on hand for visitors. If you are bringing a large group, please call ahead.

Explore the penguins of the museum and discover why penguins captivate us! Learn about why most of the penguins of the world are now endangered.

Explore outdoors with snow shoes to view the great amounts of animal traffic suddenly apparent in the tracks in the snow. Learn a few tips on what to look for around your home. We will have some extra snow shoes on hand for visitors. If you are bringing a large group, please call ahead. (This […]