Colorful indoor play area decorated with images of an elephant, lion, and outdoor nature scenes, including trees, water, and flying birds.

Upon That Isle in Maine: The Story & Works of Chris Van Dusen

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Open every day, Maine Maritime Museum sits on a beautiful 20-acre campus on the banks of the Kennebec River in Bath, Maine

Part of a long tradition of authors and illustrators along the Maine coast, Chris Van Dusen captivates readers’ imaginations with playful and heartfelt stories inspired by the history, culture, and natural wonder of the Pine Tree State. This exhibit, the first to showcase Van Dusen’s original artwork in a dedicated museum setting, will bring to life his lovable characters and scenes that drift within fantastical realms while unmistakably anchored in the familiar charm of Maine.

This exhibit explores the following Chris Van Dusen books:

Hattie & Hudson
Circus Ship
Big Truck, Little Island
Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee

Three children, two boys and a girl, are engaged in drawing or coloring at a small table with a corkboard behind them. The children are facing away from the camera. The corkboard displays various drawings of a cartoon dog, likely Snoopy, and a sign that provides instructions to learn to draw the same character. The setting appears to be an indoor space, possibly a museum or educational area, with light-colored walls and a wooden floor.

Before You Arrive

  • ⌚ Hours

    Open 9:30 am – 5:00 pm Daily

    (Except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day, and occasionally if we get some weather.)

  • 🎫 Admission

    MEMBERS | FREE
    ADULTS | $22
    SENIORS | $20
    CHILD (17 & UNDER) are free through 2026 thanks to the generous support of Central Maine Power

  • 🅿 Parking

    We have ample, free parking available with space available to accommodate RVs and larger vehicles in our south lot. There are a limited number of EV chargers, and overnight parking is prohibited.

Even more fun for children and the young at heart.

  • Lobstering & The Maine Coast

    Children and a teenage girl at a food stand inside a rustic wooden building, buying lobster rolls. The stand has a sign reading 'LOBSTER ROLLS'. A boy is taking money from a girl at a small window, while others wait in line. The menu offers lobster rolls for $10 and other items. The interior has wooden floors, walls, and natural light from windows.

  • Cruise aboard the Merrymeeting

    Children and adults on a boat, with some children using binoculars to look at the water and a person in the background wearing a red cap and sunglasses, overlooking a body of water with a distant tree-lined shoreline under a cloudy sky.

  • Tug Boat Pilot House Replica

    A young girl wearing a yellow raincoat and rain hat steering a ship's wheel on a boat exhibit with a window view of water and distant land.

  • Meet a Blacksmith

    A person wearing a red hat and gray vest working at a forge with a fire, holding tools, with industrial equipment and wood paneling in the background.

  • Ship Launching Demonstration

    A man in a navy T-shirt and red cap, sunglasses, and two young girls, one with blonde hair and the other with light brown hair, discussing a mini-golf setup outdoors under a clear blue sky with trees and houses in the background.

  • Pirate Play Ship

    A child is coming down a yellow slide next to a wooden play structure near a body of water with boats, trees, and a clear blue sky in the background.

✺ Frequently Asked Questions ✺

  • Flight Deck Pizza & Beer Garden will be back in 2026! Pleas check their website FlightDeckBrewing.com for details

    Visitors are welcome to bring picnic lunches from home or any of the wonderful local food establishments.

  • Rainy days are a great time to come to the museum! Bring an umbrella or poncho and explore the historic shipyard’s outbuildings and visit our docents in the Donnell House!

  • Yes! Admission is good for two days within a week, and that is included with the purchase of a cruise ticket.

A brick building with large windows and posters on the wall, surrounded by a flower garden with purple, white, and yellow flowers, and three flagpoles with American and other flags.

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