The far-ranging mind of Dr. John Howard Wilson, a Victorian-era geologist, forms the basis for the astounding collection in the Wilson Museum (107 Perkins St., 207/326-9247, www.wilsonmuseum.org [1], 2–5 p.m. daily late May–Sept., free). The menagerie inside includes African prehistoric artifacts, Balinese shadow puppets, fire department memorabilia, and old maps and ships’ logs.
A short and pleasant walk from downtown is Dyce’s Head Lighthouse, a 19th-century classic tapered white tower.
In the summer, midshipmen conduct tours of the State of Maine, the 500-foot training vessel owned by the Maine Maritime Academy (Pleasant St., Castine, 800/464-6565, www.mainemaritime.edu [2]). Though not available for tours, be sure to notice the academy’s other beauty, the schooner Bowdoin, which Maine [3] explorer Adm. Donald MacMillan took on his many expeditions to the North Pole.
Links:
[1] http://www.wilsonmuseum.org
[2] http://www.mainemaritime.edu
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/maine