The galleries
Special Exhibits
Explore new and upcoming exhibits at MMGM.
This October, our Discovery Gallery will be home to a new limited-time exhibit exploring meteorites from across the United States. We’ve brought together specimens from 43 states, along with some pretty unbelievable stories about where these rocks from space ended up.
Some hit cars. Some landed in homes. Some were found by students, collectors, and everyday people who happened to be in the right place at the right time.
The Sky Is Falling! Spotlight on U.S. Meteorites opens October 10.
Like all exhibits in the Discovery Gallery, The Sky is Falling! Spotlight on US Meteorites can be viewed free of charge while the museum is open.
The World’s Most Species-Rich Pegmatite, and Counting
Hidden on the southeastern slope of Uncle Tom Mountain in western Maine is one of the most remarkable mineral localities in the world. With more than 240 confirmed mineral species, and new discoveries still being made, the Emmons Pegmatite is recognized as the most species-rich pegmatite known today.
This special exhibit explores the geology, history, and ongoing scientific research surrounding the Emmons Pegmatite through exceptional mineral specimens, detailed diagrams, photomicrographs, and interactive displays.
Like all exhibits in the Discovery Gallery, The World’s Most Species-Rich Pegmatite, and Counting can be viewed free of charge while the museum is open.
Micrometeorites: Space Dust in Maine
Tiny, elusive particles from outer space fall to Earth every day. This new special exhibit explores the different types of micrometeorites and their sources, how to find them, and why they matter. 28 specimens collected in Bethel by Maine micrometeorite hunter and NASA Solar System Ambassador, Jon Wallace, are on display through at least May 2025.
Like all other exhibits in the Discovery Gallery, Micrometeorites: Space Dust in Maine can be viewed free of charge while the museum is open.
"Fly Me to the Moon"
“Fly Me to the Moon” exhibit at the Portland International Jetport
The Portland International Jetport (PWM) is now home to a new “destination” which no other airport in the world can compete: the Moon. This new exhibit, unveiled in early April of 2024, displays the second largest piece of the Moon on Earth, one of the largest pieces of Mars on Earth, samples of some of the most beautiful extraterrestrial substances yet discovered, and an iconic Gibeon meteorite celebrated for its striking resemblance to Edvard Munch’s, “The Scream.”
Lithium: Batteries & Beyond
Take a deep dive into the world of lithium and lithium resources.
Lithium plays a major role in moving the global clean energy economy forward, and is at the heart of conversations in Maine and around the world. This special exhibit introduces the element in its most basic form, investigates the many minerals that contain lithium metals, objectively explores current issues (from mining to manufacturing to recycling), and outlines the various everyday products that require lithium to help us live in today’s world.
Visit Lithium: Batteries & Beyond in the Discovery Gallery, free of charge, every day the museum is open.