Maine Discovery Museum named a Gold Medal awardee, a first for Maine
BANGOR — Maine Discovery Museum has been named one of 10 institutions nationwide to receive the 2025 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries, awarded by the Institute for Museum and Library Service. MDM is among just five museums recognized this year, and the only museum in the Northeast. It also marks the first time a Maine museum has received this distinction in the award’s 30-year history.
The IMLS recognized MDM for its deep commitment to communities across the state, “Maine Discovery Museum (Bangor, ME) has developed deep and vital partnerships with other nonprofits to provide educational programming throughout the state, often going to rural and underserved communities to bring their expertise to them. The museum also has relationships with a wide network of community anchors like libraries, parks and recreation departments and schools to provide educational and enrichment programming.”
For Executive Director Kate Dickerson, the honor carries special weight as MDM celebrates its 25th anniversary, “We are unbelievably honored to receive this Gold Medal, especially as we’re celebrating our 25th year. Thanks to the founders who had a vision more than 25 years ago to serve our community, and to all those who have fostered and built MDM into who we are now: helping people of all ages to discover the world around them through creative exploration and science. We could not have reached this point without the support of our donors and the best team in the business. I’m especially proud that Maine Discovery Museum is the first museum in Maine to receive this award.”
A common thread over the IMLS award’s 30-year history is that gold medal winners are community anchors defined by strong programs, inclusive practice, solid partnerships, and documented impact. MDM’s recognition reflects 25 years of growth — from playing a vital role in downtown Bangor’s revitalization to becoming Maine’s statewide hub for informal public science education.
Each year, MDM serves approximately 60,000 people at our museum and another 15,000 through our off-site programs. Critically, 94% of MDM’s mission-driven programming is provided at no charge – made possible by grants, donations, and sponsors – ensuring that cost is never a barrier to learning, and we reach people where they are.
Voices from the community:
“Small rural communities from around the state do not have ready access to many STEAM related programs and MDM helps to fill that need in a stable and predictable way. Families and students cannot easily travel to places like Boston but still deserve to have access to high quality educational STEAM programing for all ages. The importance of having organizations like MDM in the community and thriving cannot be overstated. MDM’s educational work and programming fills a deep need for science instruction and understanding throughout the state.”
– Alyson Saunders, Dexter Regional High School
“This kind of thing makes me realize how many different careers there are. And every time it makes me think of something else I can be when I get older.”
– 4th grader, Fisher-Mitchel School, Bath. During a MDM Science Around ME program
“There are some world-changing projects being built in Maine and it’s important that the state is aware of them. The MSF {Maine Science Festival, a program of MDM} is an important avenue for this advocacy and creates opportunities for researchers, educators, and entrepreneurs to meet each other which could foster impactful relationships for the future of our state and beyond.”
– Brian Harris, MedRhythms, MSF presenter
For a full list of MDM’s programs and events, please visit https://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/programs.
Maine Discovery Museum’s mission is to help people of all ages discover the world around them through creative exploration and science. Founded 25 years ago in Bangor, MDM has grown into Maine’s statewide hub for informal public science education, serving approximately 75,000 people annually through on-site exhibits and community-based outreach programs.
