I had to smile when I noticed the sign in front of the Boothbay Region Historical Museum at 72 Oak St., Boothbay Harbor. It read, "Museum Tour at 11:00 a.m." Would a guided tour be necessary in such a small museum? However, since it caught my eye and thinking it might be nice to get the lay of the land by going on this tour, I swerved into a parking spot across the street and got out. Little did I realize as I stepped over the threshold of the entrance, I was in store for what can only be compared to entering the wardrobe for a trip to Narnia in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis, to unravel the history of the Boothbay peninsula!

Built in 1874, the museum building began as a home for the Fullerton family. The last known resident, Elizabeth Reed, donated the building to a ladies' club that eventually gave it to the town, which now leases it to the Boothbay Region Historical Society. Six rooms on two floors display artifacts, photographs, maps and memorabilia to explore.

After a brief orientation, our tour guide Outreach and Collections Manager Kathy Goldner led us up the commanding set of stairs in the front hall so we could start at the top and work our way down. As with all historical societies, the purpose of this one is to research, collect, interpret and preserve the history of the region, enriched by its coastal heritage, so I was eager to see what was there.

We were rewarded by precious photos depicting daily life in the home, at school and around town in the early days. A whole room, possibly my favorite, is devoted to the businesses that have come and gone through the years. The other two rooms cover commercial fishing as it used to be, and display maritime instruments, charts, logbooks and boatbuilding.

Of particular interest on the first floor is a room of exhibits celebrating the museum's 50th anniversary, called, "Focus on 50." Fifty significant artifacts tell the story of the peninsula's heritage. They are numbered and have relevant, easy-to-read signage. If you only have time for this exhibit, you will not be disappointed to have stopped in.

For visitors or anyone with a quest for knowledge, the museum, open year round 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, can be the beginning of your journey.