Rufus Porter Museum and Cultural Heritage Center , Bridgton Maine

Westwood Murals
landscape-smsmA collaboration with his son Stephen Twombly Porter, these murals were painted, signed, and dated in 1838.
2013 Special Exhibit
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A collection of folk art inspired by the Civil War
Museum Gift Shop
museum-store-iconThe Rufus Porter Museum gift shop displays a variety of work from local folk artistans. The museum also offers many books, cards, and posters.
Cultural Heritage Series
culturalseries-toprightThe museum sponsors workshops in traditional arts and history. There will be classes inspired by Rufus Porter style.

The Rufus Porter Museum and Cultural Heritage Center, Bridgton, Maine

Welcome to the Rufus Porter Museum

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museum_2The Rufus Porter Museum was founded in 2005 to celebrate the life of Rufus Porter (1792-1884), a painter, inventor, musician, and writer. The museum began by preserving and exhibiting Rufus Porter Style wall murals, and since has expanded to encompass Porter’s other accomplishments, and to promote the preservation of early 19th Century Maine and New England culture for future generations. We invite you to share in Porter's uniquely American blend of creativity, ingenuity, practicality, and energy by coming to explore Rufus Porter's era through the museum.  

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOURS AND DIRECTIONS


The mission of the Rufus Porter Museum is to increase the enjoyment, knowledge, and pride of our communities by bringing to life the world and the inspiring works of Rufus Porter—a remarkable American artist and inventor


What's Happening at The Museum

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Featured Exhibit:
Folk Art Inspired by the Civil War
June 22-October 13

The Rufus Porter Museum’s 2013 Special Exhibit will focus on patriotic folk art.  It will include many eagles, whirligigs, weathervanes, crocks, and other patriotic objects used in everyday activities designed to express pride in being an American.  Featured will be... Read more

 

 

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Cultural Heritage Series

Monday July 22 - Saturday July 27

The 7th annual Cultural Heritage Series is a series of workshops focused on traditional folk art techniques. Classes include Rufus Porter Style Painting, Penny Rugs, and Floor Cloth Painting... Read more

 

 

 

 

 

gickr_com_e473d795-65f0-ad94-f1c5-f59d4ea60f88"The Big Event"
Friday, August 16 

The Bridgton Historical Society and the Rufus Porter Museum, will be holding a combination live auction and silent auction with dinner and music, Friday August 16, 5:30 - 9:00 pm at the Goldsmith Dinning Hall at the Bridgton Academy. Tickets are $25.00 at the door, or can be reserved in advance either through the Historical Society or the Museum ... Read more 


FOLK-ART-MURALS-F-pro Linda Carter Lefko is an artist, teacher and scholar of the historic decorative arts known for her research into many of the historic decorative fields, makes her home in Penn Yan, New York. She has taught and lectured for years on various topics such as historic watercolors, school girl arts, love tokens, wall murals and theorem painting. Linda is co-author of The Art of Theorem Painting, and is currently serving as an advisor to the Rufus Porter Museum. 

Jane E. Radcliffe is a resident of Hallowell, Maine, served the Maine State Museum in a variety of capacities for close to twenty years, currently as an Adjunct Curator. Since 1988, she has been a partner in Museum Research Associates, a firm specializing in the documentation and computerization of historical collections and records. Their keynote address and new book is the culmination of many years of research on Porter School murals. Jane is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rufus Porter Museum.

Read a great review of Linda and Jane's book Folk Art Murals of the Rufus Porter School, New England Landscapes 1825-1845, from the Historical Society of Early American Deocration's Decorator Fall 2011 Issue. 

Read more...
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