After $850K makeover, Maine State Aquarium reopens in West Boothbay
Photo / Courtesy, Department of Marine Resources
From left, Carl Wilson, the Department of Marine Resources’ science bureau director, discusses the renovated aquarium as State Rep. Holly Stover, state Sen. Cameron Reny, Gov. Janet Mills and DMR Commissioner Patrick Keliher look on.
After a four-year hiatus and an $850,000 makeover, the Maine State Aquarium, an attraction in West Boothbay Harbor, is scheduled to reopen Wednesday, June 26, with a redesigned interior, new exhibits and displays, and an improved visitor experience.
The aquarium, at 194 McKown Point Road, is operated the Maine Department of Marine Resources, a state agency that oversees the Maine coastal fishing industries, habitats and related research.
“I’m thrilled to finally be ready to open our doors to the public,” said Carl Wilson, director of the department’s science bureau. “We look forward to serving as an important resource for educators, students and anyone who is as passionate as we are about the dynamic Gulf of Maine environment.”
The aquarium is an educational facility built in 1993, according to a directory listing in Experience Maritime Maine.
The interior floor plan, support systems and exhibits were completed in 1995. The collection includes regional fish and invertebrates, including lobsters, anemones and skates.
The aquarium closed in 2020 amid pandemic restrictions on public gatherings. It was originally scheduled to reopen in 2022 after some exhibit redesigns, according to a news brief by the department at the time.
But during the redesign, some structural issues were discovered in the building, which was then nearly 30 years old.
So the state made further renovations to aquarium's walls and floors, and upgrades to the pumps and filters necessary to safely hold and display animals.
What's new
Updates include new display tanks that will feature a variety of sea life found in the Gulf of Maine and provide an up-close view of animals and plants interacting with each other and the marine environment.
Two 1,300-gallon touch tanks were custom-made to resemble the rocky Maine coastline and configured to ensure compliance with animal care standards. Aquarium educators will be stationed at the touch tanks to answer questions and to help visitors interact safely with different species.
New interactive exhibits highlight some of the research the department conducts to protect and manage Gulf of Maine resources. The aquarium will also feature profiles of Department of Marine Resources scientists working on research, as well as arts and crafts for children.
An adjacent space named the Learning Lab provides visitors with a more in-depth look at the research, with additional informational displays and scheduled talks by the department’s science staff.
“The state’s investment in this important educational resource will help us provide a world-class experience for all ages here in West Boothbay Harbor,” said Patrick Keliher, the department’s commissioner. “Our hope is to help visitors gain a deeper appreciation of the ocean, and to motivate future generations to support the health of the marine environment.”
Gov. Janet Mills and state Rep. Holly Stover, D-Boothbay, whose advocacy in the Legislature helped secure state funding for the rebuild, got a preview of the new space on Monday.
"The revitalization of the Maine State Aquarium represents a significant milestone for our community,” said Stover. “This facility not only provides an educational and recreational venue for families and visitors but also reinforces our commitment to marine conservation and education."
Mills added, “The new aquarium will educate and inspire visitors, offering them a unique opportunity to see and learn about our state’s rich and diverse marine life and the environment in which they live.”
On Facebook, fans of the aquarium were already enthusiastic. “SO very happy for this to be back up and running," said one. Another chimed in: “This was one of our girls’ favorite places to visit when they were little!”
One commenter simply said, "Can't wait to visit!"
For more information about the Maine State Aquarium, click here.
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