If Leonardo da Vinci had lived in Maine [1] at the turn of the 19th century, he might have been Jonathan Fisher, a preacher who dabbled in painting, poetry, farming, and literally dozens of other fields. Memorabilia and items made by the man himself are on view at the Jonathan Fisher House (44 Mines Rd., 207/374-2459, www.jonathanfisherhouse.org [2], 1–4 p.m. Thurs.–Sat. July–mid-Oct., $5).
With a small aquarium and exhibit space, the MERI Center for Marine Studies (55 Main St., 207/374-2135, www.meriresearch.org [3], 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri., year-round, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Sat., Jul.–Aug., free) provides a great introduction to the sealife of the peninsula and the surrounding coast.
The back-to-the-land movement of the 1960s is on full display at the Good Life Center (372 Harborside Rd., Harborside, 207/326-8211, www.goodlife.org [4], 1–4 p.m. Thu.–Mon. late Jun.–early Sept.; 1–4 p.m. Fri.–Sun. Sept., $5 donation), an homage to the farm of simple-living pioneers Helen and Scott Nearing. Tour guides now conjure up the days of Mother Earth News and explain the concepts and challenges involved in “going off the grid.”
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/maine
[2] http://www.jonathanfisherhouse.org
[3] http://www.meriresearch.org
[4] http://www.goodlife.org