The museum was founded by artist Henry Strater, a central figure in the Ogunquit art colony.
The building is specifically designed to frame ocean views through large, picture-style windows.
The collection includes works by Marsden Hartley, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, and Edward Hopper.
The site was once part of the estate of early 20th-century American painters.
The museum grounds feature a dedicated sculpture garden designed to integrate with the rocky coastal cliffside.
The Ogunquit Museum of American Art is situated on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at Narrow Cove. The building was designed by architect Charles Worley and opened in 1953 to house a collection of American paintings, sculptures, and photographs. The museum grounds include three acres of landscaped gardens featuring outdoor sculpture installations. Its permanent collection emphasizes American Modernism and the heritage of the Ogunquit Art Colony. The museum focuses on the intersection of art and the coastal landscape of Maine. It maintains a seasonal exhibition calendar that rotates regional and national works.
The large picture window in the main gallery that frames the rocky Maine coastline.
Walk the perimeter of the building to view the coastal sculptures against the ocean backdrop.
Check the museum's website for rotating exhibition schedules before planning your visit as the gallery displays change seasonally.
Plan to sit in the garden area to observe the changing tides of the Atlantic.
Do not attempt to access the water directly from the museum grounds, as the coastline is rugged cliffside and not a beach access point.
The museum is a seasonal institution, typically operating from early spring through late autumn, and is closed during the winter months.
Maintain a quiet volume within the galleries and avoid touching any artwork or sculpture.
