Beach Plum Farm of Ogunquit, a nature preserve....

You're just beyond the dune

A glint in the Ocean's glimmer

In the cry of seagulls

Veiled from the eye, sensed by the soul.

                                                                      -on a bench at Beach Plum Farm

Less than a mile from Ogunquit village centre is a 22 acre reserve that hosts community gardens, walking trails, and is also a public park with a mini museum. The park is managed by the Great Works Regional Land Trust and is called Beach Plumb Farm.

The reserve has sweeping ocean views, and is the last remaining salt water farm in Ogunquit. It is also the only place where you can see the dunes and estuaries from US Route One.

 Beach Plum Farm was once the farm of Roby Littlefield. Littlefield farmed the land and sold vegetables since the 1920's. Roby Littlefield established a tradition of community garden plots, which  still exist today. The Great Works Regional Land Trust hosts more than 50 community garden plots that people use.

The museum located at Barn #3. This building holds memorabilia and artifacts from Roby Littlefield. Books, tools, photographs are on display. Mr Littlefield served in World War I, and the Maine Senate. Littlefield also spearheaded the preservation of Ogunquit beach for public use. Much of the southern Maine coast was developed, but not Ogunquit beach.

There are walking trails which circles the gardens and loops around the property. The habitat is home to birds, ducks and a variety of Maine wildlife. The conservation area is dotted with benches, perfect for relaxing and admiring the abundant nature preserve.

The Details:
Beach Plumb Farm/Great Works Regional Land Trust
610 Main Street
Ogunquit, ME 03907
Open from 7am to Dusk
Admission is free
Drive 9/10 of a mile from Ogunquit village centre, on your right going north, before Distant Sands B&B

http://www.gwrlt.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=184:beach-plum-farm-ogunquit-&catid=52:our-public-places&Itemid=71

Ogunquit Heritage Museum at the Captain Winn House

I Enjoy Anything which Has the Flavor of the Salt Air in It

-Charles Woodbury

Dotted throughout the town, Ogunquit features art venues like: the Barn Gallery, Ogunquit Museum of American Art, Ogunquit Playhouse and the Ogunquit Heritage Museum. The museum is small, so you don't need a lot of time, but it is truly a jewel set in the village centre.....

The Ogunquit Heritage Museum is housed at the Captain James Winn House. The historical cape house from the 1700's is nestled in an English style common in the centre of Ogunquit on Obeds Lane (between Main Street and Shore Road). Its a quick walk from Ogunquit Beach Inn. The Common  features herb and flower gardens that were typical in the 1700's. The Common is quite peaceful and pastoral, and one can imagine Mainers from the 1700's with their herds of livestock.

The exhibits at the Ogunquit Heritage Museum include: maritime history, including coastal trade and fishing in early Ogunquit; the artist colony with many paintings from Charles Woodbury, John Neill, Channing Hare, and many others. Other Exhibits include ephemera from Ogunquit's hotel and hospitality trade.
The Winn house features typical Maine architecture from the 1700's, complete with original "Indian Shutters".

This museum is a great place to see how all the  unique pieces of Ogunquit fit together: fishing, the arts and tourism. There are artifacts from the all three categories. The Assistant Curator, Paula is helpful and resourceful. She is quite knowledgeable about the Ogunquit art history, the maritime artifacts and genealogy.

The Winn House also has an Ogunquit Dory. The Ogunquit Dory is a sturdy little boat that was built to take the rough north Atlantic surf and had a sail. Fisherman used the dories to catch cod, mackerel and halibut. The dories were also subject of many paintings by Charles Woodbury and his students. In 1898 Woodbury started Ogunquit School, and thus the beginning of the art colony. Woodbury was one the most influential teachers of his time, training over 4000 students – many of whom were already important painters.

(Dories at Wharf Lane) Wharf Lane is Off of Shore Road, near School Street.....

The Museum is a great way to explore a little bit of Ogunquit History from the three major populations that influenced the salty flavor of the town!
The Details:
Ogunquit Heritage Museum at the Winn House on Jacobs Common
http://www.ogunquitheritagemuseum.org/
86 Obeds Lane
Ogunquit ME 03907
Telephone 207-646-0296
Open Tuesday to Sunday June to end of Sept 1pm to 5pm
Paula Cummngs, Assistant Curator is helpful and knowledgeable.
Admission is free. Museum is small, and will not take too long. The Common is beautiful.