First Amendment Museum

We're getting the museum ready for Independence Day, and pictured here are Genie Gannett and FAM volunteer Dave hanging the bunting. We hope to see you all at our Fourth of July lawn party at 10AM!

In honor of America turning 250, we invite you to take this intriguing and educational quiz: "Do you have what it takes to be an American citizen?" https://firstamendmentmuseum.org/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-be-an-american-citizen/

Join us tomorrow at 4PM!

Join the Kennebec Valley Chamber and First Amendment Museum for a Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, June 11th at 4:00 PM! ✂🥳

Located at 184 State Street in Augusta, The First Amendment Museum is a non-partisan, non-profit institution dedicated to educating the public on the five freedoms of the First Amendment: speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. 🇺🇸

Their mission is to inspire Americans to understand, value, and actively exercise their First Amendment rights to strengthen democracy. Learn more on their website! https://firstamendmentmuseum.org/

Thank you to our Ribbon Cutting Sponsor, Capital Area Staffing Solutions, Inc. and Skowhegan Savings Bank!

Your support helps the First Amendment Museum bring civic education to life for the Maine community and beyond. Every donation helps preserve the history of our First Amendment freedoms, support educational programming and create opportunities for people of all ages to better understand the rights that shape our democracy.

We are grateful for the community of supporters who make this work possible. Join them today by making a gift: https://firstamendmentmuseum.org/give/

This Number 5 Underwood typewriter was recently donated to the museum by a local supporter. It is a reminder of the stories formerly written by these machines. Tools like this helped shape the way the news was created, shared, and understood, playing a vital role in the evolution of free press.

Every story typed, idea recorded, and voice captured contributed to a broader conversation that still continues today. Visit the First Amendment Museum to explore how the freedom of the press has evolved, and why it remains essential: https://firstamendmentmuseum.org/visit/

At the First Amendment Museum, we work every day to protect and share the history of free speech, a free press, religious freedom, assembly, and petition. Through exhibits, education, and community engagement, we help ensure these rights are understood and carried forward.

But this work relies on support from people like you. Your donation helps us continue restoring the historic Gannett House, expand our exhibits, and reach more students, families, and visitors each year. Make a meaningful contribution today: https://firstamendmentmuseum.org/give/

We’re honored to hear feedback like this. As we continue restoring the historic Gannett House and expanding our exhibits, our goal remains the same: to create a space that is engaging, thought-provoking, and meaningful for every visitor.

Thank you to everyone who has visited, supported, and shared their experience with us. Your words help others discover the importance of the First Amendment and the stories behind it. Come see what makes the First Amendment Museum a must-visit in Augusta: https://firstamendmentmuseum.org/visit/

Already visited? We’d love to hear from you. Leave us a review and share your experience.

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice helped protect the freedoms we often take for granted, including the five freedoms of the First Amendment. At the First Amendment Museum, we are reminded that these rights endure because of those who defended them.

Teachers play a critical role in helping students understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens. The First Amendment Museum offers classroom-ready resources that make the five freedoms accessible, engaging, and relevant for today’s learners. From lesson ideas to historical context, these tools help bring civic education to life in meaningful ways.

Explore the teacher resources and bring the First Amendment into your classroom: https://firstamendmentmuseum.org/teacher-resources/

Plan a meaningful end-of-year field trip this month. The First Amendment Museum offers engaging, interactive experiences that bring civics education to life. Students don’t just learn about the five freedoms. They explore how speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition shape their everyday lives and empower them to become active participants in their communities.

Our guided tours are designed to connect with students of all ages, making complex ideas accessible, relevant, and memorable. Reserve your field trip today: https://firstamendmentmuseum.org/teacher-resources/field-trips/

The garage at the Gannett House, home of the First Amendment Museum, has been named one of Maine's 2025 Most Endangered Historic Places by Maine Preservation.

This designation highlights not only the historical significance of this site , but also the urgent need to preserve it for future generations. The Gannett House garage has the distinction of being Augusta, Maine's first automobile garage.

Preserving this space means protecting the history that lives within its walls and ensuring it remains accessible as a place of learning, reflection, and dialogue. You can learn more about this designation here: https://www.mainepreservation.org/most-endangered-2025/2025/9/19/gannett-garage

If you believe in preserving history and the freedoms it represents, now is the time to take action. Make a meaningful contribution and help protect the Gannett House: https://firstamendmentmuseum.org/give/