Maine Coast

Museums of Old York: An exhausted museum educator’s retreat!
By Kelly Mason: Outreach Coordinator

Entrance to Visitor Center

At the end of a busy school season (a couple thousand children strong), this museum educator found herself a little burnt out. As May came to a close, I found myself loosening my corset and gasping for breath: time for a vacation! (Quick, before summer camps gear up!)

At last, my beloved trip up north to the breathtaking coast of Maine had come! As I packed my bags and left my period clothes to air out, I yearned for peace and quiet and to hear the gentle roar of the ocean breaking on the rocks! Of course, no trip to New England would be complete without a trip to the local Historical Society! York, Maine is an amazing gem of town that is nestled next to the ocean with a rich history that has been wonderfully preserved.

I set out for a day filled with rich history, my spirits high! To my delight, I spotted a school bus and heard the muffled sound of giddy children filing through the galleries. As the greeter at the front desk politely apologized for the inconvenience, I explained that, I too, was a museum educator down in North Carolina. How exciting to see others at work, diligently sharing and preserving the past for future generations! (Just like me!) It brought out a sense of excitement and joy (also relief that for just a day, I could sit back and take it in myself).

Me in the pillory

My husband and I visited multiple of the historic buildings, including the one room school house, tavern, and burial grounds. They have a collection of nine historic buildings in their care! The Gaol (pronounced jail) was by far one of the highlights of the trip. We saw the dungeons and the rooms upstairs where the murderers slept (interestingly, in the room connected to the jailor and his children). It was built in 1719 and ran until 1879. They still have the pillory standing in the front of the building for brave visitors to try! We ended our five hour adventure with a private tour of a new exhibit on WWI given by their lovely curator (A major perk of being a museum professional: we often get behind-the-scene tours).

Needless to say, my visit to the Museums of Old York was a delightful experience. As a museum educator, it is invaluable for me to go and visit other historic sites. It not only gives me a fresh perspective, but also recharges my batteries. It reminds me of how important my job is and why I got into this field to begin with! I am pleased to announce that I am refreshed and ready to jump into summer with my corset tightened and my petticoats fluffed!

Emerson-Wilcox House; 1742