Peary–MacMillan Arctic Museum

The Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum is a research institution on the Bowdoin College campus in Brunswick, Maine, dedicated to documenting Arctic exploration and life. It displays artifacts, photographs, and expedition equipment organized across multiple exhibition spaces that tell stories of northern exploration.

The museum was founded in 1985 to preserve the legacy of Arctic explorers Robert Peary and Donald MacMillan, both Bowdoin College graduates who conducted research missions in northern regions. Their expeditions and the collections gathered during these journeys form the foundation of the institution.

The collections show traditional tools, clothing, and artwork that reflect how Arctic communities lived and worked in extreme conditions. Visitors can observe the handcrafted items and materials that shaped daily life in the far north.

The museum is easily accessible on the Bowdoin College campus where visitor parking is available and you can plan to spend several hours viewing all the exhibitions. The galleries are laid out comfortably for walking, and informative labels explain the displays throughout.

The museum maintains a growing collection of climate data and environmental research documenting how Arctic regions are changing today and connecting historical expeditions with modern understanding of polar environments. Visitors can see how the Arctic of today differs from what early explorers encountered.