Beginning August 1, anyone can explore MMGM’s minerals, meteorites, and Rock Garden from anywhere in the world — free, on their phone
BETHEL, MAINE — (July 2026) — Curious minds from near and far can now explore the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum (MMGM) from the palm of their hand. Beginning August 1, 2026, the museum’s new digital guide goes live on Bloomberg Connects. The free arts and culture app from Bloomberg Philanthropies brings expert-curated guides from more than 1,500 museums, galleries, gardens, and cultural spaces around the world into one easy-to-use app.
While nothing replaces the experience of standing next to a piece of the Moon (or Mars!) in Bethel, the digital guide lets anyone, anywhere, get a taste of the museum and start planning their visit with just a tap. It offers a self-guided audio tour of the museum’s outdoor Rock Garden, narrated by MMGM staff. You can watch the museum’s meteorite detonation video and dig into the stories behind the collection using any computer or mobile device.
The MMGM guide launches alongside those of respected institutions across the state — including the Portland Museum of Art, the Colby College Museum of Art, and the Maine Maritime Museum. It means MMGM’s world-class collection of Maine minerals and meteorites is now on demand before a global audience.
“Bringing MMGM onto Bloomberg Connects means our collection is no longer limited by who can make the trip to Bethel,” said Maggie Kroenke, Director of Retail & Visitor Services at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. “Someone exploring from across the country, or across the ocean, can now take an audio tour of our Rock Garden, read along with transcripts from our Space Rocks Gallery, and discover the science behind our specimens, all for free. And this is really just the beginning. The guide is built to grow, and we’ll keep adding new objects, exhibits, and experiences throughout the year.”
This initial release is a soft launch focused on the essentials MMGM offers today, with much more content planned to go live in the months ahead. Because guides on Bloomberg Connects are designed to be updated and expanded over time, the MMGM experience will continue to deepen as new objects and exhibits are added.
“Access has always been at the heart of what we do,” said Kristy Griffin, Executive Director of the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. “Joining Bloomberg Connects lets us share the wonder of Maine’s minerals and our world-class meteorite collection with people who may never have heard of us before, as well as with those who have but can’t make the drive to Bethel. Whether you’re standing in the gallery or exploring from your living room, the story of our planet and beyond is now just a tap away.”
The app is free to download and free to use, with built-in accessibility features including audio transcripts, captions, image zoom, and adjustable font sizes. All guides are downloadable, so visitors can explore MMGM on site as a personal tour companion or from anywhere in the world — even offline.
“We’re so grateful to Bloomberg Philanthropies for making a program like this available to museums like ours completely free. It’s a remarkable gift that lets a small museum in western Maine share its collection with the entire world,” Griffin said.
Bloomberg Connects is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and offered to cultural institutions at no cost. By covering the technology, training, and support behind the app, Bloomberg Philanthropies enables museums of all sizes — from major metropolitan institutions to Bethel’s own MMGM — to reach audiences far beyond their walls.
How to Explore the MMGM Guide
- Download the free app. Search “Bloomberg Connects” in the Apple App Store or Google Play, or visit bloombergconnects.org to download. The app is completely free.
- Find the museum. Open the app and search “Maine Mineral & Gem Museum,” or locate it on the in-app map of nearby guides.
- Open the guide. Tap the MMGM guide to start exploring. Take the narrated Rock Garden audio tour, watch the meteorite video, and read along with transcripts.
- Take it anywhere. Download the guide within the app to explore offline, whether you’re walking the galleries in Bethel or discovering MMGM from across the globe.
As the guide grows, MMGM wants to hear from its community: visitors are invited to share which objects, exhibits, and stories they’d most like to see featured next. Suggestions can be sent to info@mainemineralmuseum.org or shared through MMGM’s social channels.
About the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum:
Nestled in the heart of Bethel, MMGM is home to the most significant collection of Maine minerals and gemstones in the world. A one-of-a-kind destination where geology, history, science, and education come to life, the museum also boasts one of the rarest displays of meteorites in the world, including Moon and Mars rocks. Through hands-on exhibits, expert storytelling, and cutting-edge research, MMGM inspires curiosity in visitors of all ages. Inviting them to explore the incredible story of our planet — and beyond.
For information on admission and upcoming events, visit www.mainemineralmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @mainemineralmuseum.
