Visiting the Maine Historical Society
Welcome to Maine Historical Society! We look forward to hosting your visit—whether in Wadsworth-Longfellow House, our exhibition gallery, store, research in the library, or just to sit in the garden for a relaxing lunch.
What's new and different in response to COVID-19?
As we have all learned, COVID related policies seem to always be in flux. Please visit our Coronavirus Update page for current masking policies or other related details.
Seasonal Hours
Updated December 2022: Maine Historical Society current seasonal operating hours are:
- MHS Museum Gallery and MHS Store are open Wednesday–Saturday 10:00 am–5:00 pm through March 14, 2022 however the Museum Store & Galleries will be closed January 3–17, 2023 for exhibit deinstallation. Learn more.
- The Brown Research Library is open Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday by appointment.Review the Library holiday closings. Learn more.
- The Wadsworth-Longfellow House & Garden are CLOSED for the season until June 2023. Learn more.
- Portland History Walking Tours are suspended for the winter and will be available again starting June 2023 (tours are always weather permitting). Learn more.
Location & Contact Information

We are located on busy Congress Street in downtown Portland, an historic and arts district that serves as the city's main thoroughfare. Congress is within short walking distance of the Old Port and waterfront.
Physical & Mailing Address: 489 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
Map it.
Written directions.
Parking Information.
Phone: 207-774-1822 Look up staff extensions.
All of our facilities are fully accessible, with the exception of the second floor of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House. The Wadsworth-Longfellow downloadable app provides virtual access to the second floor.
Wadsworth-Longfellow House & Garden

The boyhood home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is on the National Register of Historic places. Visitors are invited to tour the house from June–October.
TRY OUR MOBILE APP
Download the Wadsworth Longfellow House App to enhance your self-guided visit (during the open season) or for a remote experience when the House is closed.
Wadsworth-Longfellow House & Garden hours
Wadsworth-Longfellow House tickets include admission to exhibition gallery.
Museum Galleries & MHS Store / Ticket Purchases

MHS Museum gallery visitation is available through timed (appointment) admission. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance through the online ticketing process. Walk-in tickets are available, but subject to availability.
Visit our Exhibitions & Museum page for a full list ongoing exhibitions and updated gallery protocol.
Our MHS store is open year round, and you may visit our online store 24/7 to shop for popular and hard-to-find history books, unique gifts, and Maine-made items.
Admission to gallery:
- Members: Free*
- Adults: $10
- Children (6-17): $5
- Children 5 and under: Free*
*Please note, while admission is free for members and children age five and under, both must still secure a ticket to visit the gallery. Please consider booking in advance online, as walk-in tickets are subject to availability.
Portland History Walking Tours
Guided Portland History Walking Tours are available from June through October. To learn more, visit the Portland History Walking Tours page.
Brown Research Library

Whether you are conducting personal, educational, or professional research, our reference librarians are ready to assist you with accessing our expansive collections.
Updated library guidelines and polices are in place. Please consult the Brown Research Library's home page to plan your visit.
Directions

From the North
Take Route 95 south (Maine Turnpike) to Route 295 in Gardner (exit 51). From I–295 in Portland, take exit 7, Franklin Street. Travel up Franklin Street to the fourth light and turn right onto Congress Street.
Take Congress Street past 5 blocks to the Portland Public Library on your right, and then past Preble Street. The Maine Historical Society is on the right, at 489 Congress Street, on the corner of Congress and Brown Streets. You will see the brick Wadsworth–Longfellow House on your right.
From the South
Take Route 95 (Maine Turnpike) to I–295, exit 44. Take I–295 to exit 7, Franklin Street. Go up Franklin Street to the fourth light, then turn right onto Congress Street.
Take Congress Street past 5 blocks to the Portland Public Library on your right, and then past Preble Street. The Maine Historical Society is on the right, at 489 Congress Street, on the corner of Congress and Brown Streets. You will see the brick Wadsworth–Longfellow House on your right.
Parking
Subject to availability, there are pay-to-park spaces offered on evenings and weekends only in the Maine Historical Society lot located on Brown Street behind Maine Historical Society's 489 Congress Street location. Parking is not available during weekdays between 6am and 5pm, as spaces are reserved. Several parking garages are available within walking distance, as well as metered on-street parking.
Coaches may discharge passengers at the bus stop on Congress Street past Brown Street where they will be met by MHS staff. Vans needing wheelchair access may discharge passengers at the Brown Street sidewalk ramp (at the corner of Congress and Brown).
For city bus schedules, visit Greater Portland Metro. Many of the routes drop passengers off directly across the street from the Maine Historical Society/Wadsworth-Longfellow House.
Campus Map
Campus Map
