Reviews of Maine Granite Industry Historical Society Museum (Museum)

Frederick Vollmer

I love this museum ("The Maine Granite Industry Historical Society Museum") and stop by every time I am on Mount Desert Island. This is about once a year, usually with my students. Steven Haynes always gives us a demonstration on how to split granite blocks using hand tools, and allows the students to do the splitting. He is amazingly enthusiastic and energetic, I have never met a non-geologist who loves granite and quarrying as much. The museum has pictures of buildings in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, etc., made from local Maine granite, and an amazing collection of quarrying tools. As a disclaimer, I am a geologist, and be aware that this is very small operation run by Steve and his wife. Be sure to ask him about the thin sections.

Chuck Kukawka

Steve Haynes does an amazing job sharing his love of the Granite Industry in Maine with those who pass through his doors. I highly recommend spending time at the Maine Granite Industry Museum!

Steve Berger

Incredible experience. Mr. Haines is awesome

Kathryn Wilson

Interesting history of granite quarrying in the area. We were fortunate enough to catch the end of a presentation for local college students. Watched them split a multi ton block of granite.

Elle C Hall

Educational and friendly

Bill Viverette

A must-see for any RockHounds. And any kids. And any adults. Just go, you'll love it.

Alix Oden

Really learned a lot!

Steve Reynolds

Granite held up buildings and bridges before steel girders. This museum details how it was done by the sturdy men who worked the quarries and the finishing shops. This museum is special because of the man who built it and provides a wonderful description of the men and times when granite was an important part of the country. His interest is contagious for visitors who will likely become interested in a subject from the past which they had just taken for granted. He combines a little geology, a little history, a little engineering, and a personal fascination with his subject. Rocks will not be the same again.

Jane Brummer

Great presentation by the owner on the geology and origins of this unique island and how the granite industry evolved. Well worth the time.

Jeffrey Parshall

Incredible. Bought a piece of granite and watched him cut it. Granite from Sullivan Quarry.

John Wolf

A hidden gem. Especially for kids and those with a sense of wonder and exploration. Steven is an extraordinary host. I’d go back in a heartbeat.

Andrew Goldman

Fabulous. Everything you ever wanted to know about Granite and then some.

Matthew Jones

Wonderful and informational...gentleman is very knowledgeable...kids and adults can have a real hands on experience!

Maria Stan

We had a wonderful time on a rainy day on MDI with our 4 and 7 years old boys learning about the quarrying industry and hard hand work on harvesting to polishing the granite in the 19th century. We all learned from a very passionate granite mason, Steve and from his extensive experience. Our boys had a blast doing the work projects! A great place to visit!

GoGo ZRX

Had a wonderful time with the owner, he was very helpful and knowledgeable about the area. And I got to split off a piece of granite

Erin McCabe

Very informative, I didn't know what to expect but I'm glad to know more about the granite quarries. I'm not from Maine so a lot of this is brand new to me. Glad we stopped!

Nick C

Good Museum with a very knowledgeable, thorough and enthusiastic owner. He didn't just go through his rehearsed but like other museums do but actually explained what all of the tools he had were used for and was able to field questions very well. Overall a great experience. Might not look promising passing it by, but definitely worth stopping.

Rick Grobart

How great can a granite museum be??? We came to this place on the strong recommendation of friends. They said the history was interesting, but that Steve made the experience something you couldn't find anywhere else. They. Were. Right. We met friends there at 1 PM and I figured we'd be gone by 1:15/1:30 tops. I was so mesmerized by this guy, his stories, and the place as a whole that the next time I looked at my watch it was almost 3 PM. We also found ourselves making a purchase we'd never expect to have made - a granite clock and granite drink coasters - all local, and complete with their written history to go. This place is a *must* - rainy or sunny (we went on a sunny day after a hike!)

s p

With two geologists in the car we did a hasty u-turn when we saw the sign for this museum. We were rewarded with a visit to the wildly enthusiastic and knowledgeable proprietor of this great little collection of granite industry paraphernalia and memorabilia. It should be entered into the pantheon of great American roadside museums. highly recommend.

William Griese

We had a rainy day here on MDI and were looking for something to do. Found this place online and saw the positive reviews & ratings. So we gave it a shot. REALLY cool, and different. The owner has a ton of knowledge, a cool personality, and a contagious passion about granite, rocks, and the geological and industrial history of this area. Since hitting the MGIHSM, we are not looking at the rocks, granite blocks, mountain faces, and park bridges the same. Well worth the visit.

Bruce Taterka

We’ve been to niche museums across the US and this might be the best. Steve created this place, gathering the original photos, stories and tools from the last of the old quarrymen back in the 1960s. He brings it to life when you go there, demonstrating how Maine granite was carved from the earth by hand and sent to build some of the most famous structures around. He’s there to teach and answer questions, and runs classes for school kids. Steve and the museum are true American gems.

Norris Heintzelman

Enthusiastic people are fun no matter what the topic, and Steven loves his granite. Lots of history, interesting discussion of techniques and technology, and if enough people happen to show up you all get to split a block!

Kaustubh Patwardhan

Not to be missed if you are traveling to MDI. Steve is a one man encyclopedia! He has put together the most amazing display of the history of the granite industry in Maine. Have visited many times with school groups and the experience is always awesome!

Josh Perkins

Great display of Maine granite history. Owner giving the tour is a wealth of knowledge and his delivery is very enthusiastic. Definitely worth the stop.

Ray McGlew

Steven, the owner, worker, advocate, educator... you get the idea, this is pretty much a one-man show... but what a show it is! A great selection of tools, rocks, and pictures of local quarries including examples of every quarry on Mount Desert Island... quite a large variety of colors and minerals. Steve demonstrates how a rock is carved (made into blocks and smoothed) and even gives you a chance to split a rock. You come away with a much better idea of how granite was quarried and prepared for use. Truly a diamond in the rough.

David Haarz

Interesting place. It helps you understand how much work went into the granite stones that we see in older buildings and bridges.

Rigel

Very cool little museum, run by a passionate and quirky collector. He'll tell you all about his intricately organized history of Maine granite for as long as you're there!

Gus Blanco

A great place to visit and truly learn about Granite and its fabrication process in the old days. Steven Haynes, Founder of the Maine Granite Museum, personally showed us around and graciously explained in detail all the steps used to extract and transform Granite in the 1800's. If you are visiting Acadia National Park or Mt. Desert add this to your itinerary. If you take the Explorer Bus, it is just a short leisurely walk of about 10 mins. from the main road where you are dropped off and/or picked up.

Howard LaPorte

Excellent, steve was wonderful and very knowledgeable. Fun, fun if you like granite and history