[1] It was founded in 1936, and is located at 5 Church Street in the center of Searsport.

Designed as a unique 19th century seafaring village, the museum encompasses thirteen historic and modern buildings, houses a modern exhibit gallery features annual shows and is home to a regionally important library and archives focused on maritime history and regional genealogy.

[4][5] Eight of the museum's buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places, five as part of a listing dedicated to the museum, and three as part of the Searsport Historic District.

[2][3][6][7] Among the collections is a significant photographic archives that includes glass plate negatives documenting life in New England and New York from 1909 and 1947 taken by the Eastern Illustrating & Publishing Company.

[8][9] The photographs are being digitized and made available online for research and access.