[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 167 (Tuesday, October 9, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S6731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ABBE MUSEUM

 Mr. KING. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the Abbe 
Museum in Bar Harbor, ME, which is celebrating its 90th year of serving 
the public. The Abbe Museum was founded by Dr. Robert Abbe, a prominent 
New York physician, known for pioneering the use of radiation therapy, 
who spent his summers in Bar Harbor. Dr. Abbe assembled a collection of 
early Native American artifacts from the Frenchman Bay area and 
persuaded others with similar collections to join with him to establish 
a museum to protect and display these important objects for public 
education and enjoyment.
  The Abbe Museum was founded in 1926 and opened to the public on 
August 14, 1928. It was first opened as a private museum at Sieur de 
Monts Spring in Lafayette National Park, later renamed Acadia National 
Park. That same year, the Abbe became the first institution in Maine to 
also sponsor archaeological research. Today, the museum continues to 
conduct excavations throughout the State and is now the main repository 
for archaeological collections from the midcoast region.
  While the initial focus was archaeology, the Abbe soon expanded to 
include ethnographic materials from the 17th to the 20th centuries. 
Three years after opening, Mary Cabot Wheelwright donated an important 
collection of Native American baskets and other objects. Since then, 
other major basket collections have been given to the museum, and it is 
now home to the largest and best documented collection of Maine Indian 
basketry. The Abbe also houses collections that document 12,000 years 
of Native American culture and history in the State, and its 
conservation program has been nationally recognized as a model for 
other museums to follow.
  Education and local involvement is also an important part of the work 
at the Abbe. The Abbe has developed a number of publications to share 
its knowledge with a larger audience. They offer many resources for 
local students and educators, including a summer camp for children ages 
7-12, opportunities for local school groups to visit the museum, and an 
educator hub to help teachers bring Wabanaki history and culture into 
their classrooms. Recently, Native Americans have become increasingly 
involved in all aspects of the museum, including as members of the 
board of trustees.
  In 2013, the Abbe was honored as the first Smithsonian Affiliate in 
the State of Maine. Being a part of this prestigious network, the Abbe 
Museum now works closely with the Smithsonian Institution to serve the 
public through custom developed education programs, traveling 
exhibitions, and collaborative research. This partnership has allowed 
the Abbe to take advantage of the resources of the Smithsonian 
Institution and bring collections that have special significance to 
Maine where they can be accessed by the Wabanaki communities.
  I am proud to recognize the Abbe Museum for their work over the last 
90 years. They have played an important role in educating the people of 
Maine about the Wabanaki history of our land and expanding our 
knowledge through research and exploration. I want to thank all those 
who have been involved with the Abbe Museum over the last 90 years, and 
I look forward to their continued success for many years to 
come.

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