Curatorial
Bruce Bourque, Chief Archaeologist and Curator of Ethnography
The chief archaeologist manages the museum's archaeological collection and makes it available for research and exhibition. The collection covers all areas of Maine and all periods of human occupation and grows mainly through field work and donation. The museum is a federally approved repository for archaeological materials. As curator of ethnography, the chief archaeologist also oversees the museum's ethnographic collection, which is composed mainly of objects made by Maliseets, Micmacs, Passamaquoddies and Penobscots during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Dr. Edwin Churchill, Chief Curator
With overall responsibility for historic and natural history collections, the chief curator is in charge of curatorial staff in these areas, as well as conservation staff. In addition to divisional administration, duties include participatory oversight of collections management and exhibition development and installation. His personal areas of expertise are Maine and northeastern American history, with emphasis on the colonial period, and Maine material culture, especially furniture, silver, pewter, and brass.
Laurie LaBar, Curator of Historic Collections
The Curator of Historic Collections oversees collections relating to
Maine's industries, such as farming, fishing and granite quarrying,
as well as historic objects such as flags.
Ongoing projects include Hall of Flags exhibits which opened in August
2003 and "...To
The Highest Standard" an exhibit of Maine's Civil
War flags, which is now open.
Long-term projects include "Uncommon Threads: Wabanaki Textiles,
Clothing and Costume" which will open in 2009 and "At Home in Maine", which will open in 2008.
Deanna Bonner-Ganter, Curator of Fine Art, Graphic Art,
and Archives
This curator is responsible for the museum's holdings of paintings,
works of art on paper, photographs, and all manuscript and ephemeral
materials. In addition, she oversees the care and interpretation of
the State House collection of portraits. The museum's collections are
particularly strong in the areas of late nineteenth century photography
(glass plate negatives) of Maine, suffrage history, and archival materials
related to commerce and manufacturing. Researchers are welcome
to work with the collections; an appointment is necessary.
Paula Work, Registrar and Curator of Zoology
David Work, Curator of Geology
Amy Thompson , Registrar
The registrar's office creates and maintains accurate records relating to the acquisition, disposition, and management of all collection objects. This office develops and enforces policies and procedures related to collections, handles arrangements for the movement of objects, and oversees an ongoing inventory of their location and condition. The registrar is also responsible for all loans coming in or going out, including packing, shipping, storage, and insurance.
The Maine State Museum is open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM
Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday CLOSED
Closed Holidays
For more information, please call 207-287-2301 or TTY 888-557-6690 or check the museum website at: www.mainestatemuseum.org.
