Portland Observatory, Maine: A Unique Maritime Historical Site to Visit

There’s much to enjoy when visiting Portland, Maine. At the top of many visitors’ lists is the Portland Observatory, a beacon that kept watch over the town and the surrounding bay. As you ascend the stairs during a guided tour of The Portland Observatory, you’ll soak up the fascinating maritime history of this coastal town.

Portland Observatory: 138 Congress Street, Portland | 207-253-1800

Contents

Hours of Operation and Admission

The observatory is open from May to October, Thursdays through Mondays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
Guided tours are available Thursdays through Mondays on the half hour. Self-guided tours are available on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The 2023 admission fees are: Adults $10; Seniors $8; Kids 16 and under $5; Portland residents $5.

What You’ll Find at the Portland Observatory

86-foot tall octagonal observatory with seven floors.
informational displays and artifacts on each floor.
an impressive 360º view from the top.
a small gift shop and a display on the first level.

Tips for Your Visit to Portland Observatory

Call ahead to verify hours of operation and tours.
There’s a limit of 10 people on the guided tours, so you can call and check on the time you’re interested in visiting to ensure availability.
The observatory is not ADA accessible as there are steps to enter the observatory and over 100 steps inside.

**View from the top of the Portland Observatory**

How to Get to Portland Observatory

The Portland Observatory is located at 138 Congress Street, a main thoroughfare. It is about a mile – and easily walkable – from the busy Commercial Street area and will take about 20 minutes on foot.

Directions from the Portland Waterfront Area

From DiMilo’s restaurant (a local landmark) on Commercial Street, proceed northeast toward the Portland pier.
Turn left on India Street. Proceed for about 0.3 miles/0.5 km.
Turn right on Congress Street. Proceed for about 0.3 miles/0.5 km.
The observatory will be on your right at 138 Congress Street.

**The telescope attached to the ceiling of the top floor**

Brief History of Portland Observatory

Captain Lemuel Moody built the Portland Observatory in 1807 on high ground with a commanding view of the harbor and wharf. This was a strategic location because it was difficult for people down on the wharf to adequately see incoming ships due, in part, to the surrounding islands.

With a combination of a large telescope (that allowed for vision 18 miles away) and meticulous descriptive notes on the different ships, Captain Moody could signal (using flags) incoming ships to the town.

Captain Moody used his observatory for much more than viewing ships in the harbor. He recorded the weather three times daily from his perch at the top of the observatory with an uninterrupted 360º view and shared his information with the local newspaper. He charged people to climb up to the top for the views. In addition, he created and sold detailed nautical maps of Portland Harbor. Furthermore, he built a bowling alley, dance hall, and banquet facility near the observatory that became popular community spots.

In 1923, the observatory ceased functioning with the development of two-way radios and was eventually donated to the City of Portland. The observatory was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. In 2006, it was named a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. Greater Portland Landmarks, a non-profit organization, operates and maintains the observatory today.

A seaside view and a residential area is seen from a window of the Portland Observatory in Maine. — **A Portland Observatory window view**

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Final Thoughts

The guided tour I took of the Portland Observatory was fascinating. This is such a unique historical maritime landmark. I was intrigued by the story of Captain Moody, his entrepreneurial spirit, the evolving communication technologies (signal flags and the advent of the telephone), and how his work impacted the entire community (for critical maritime and relaxing entertainment purposes). This is definitely a worthwhile peek into Portland’s fascinating history.

Do not make the mistake of thinking the observatory is a lighthouse. It is not! For one thing, it is inland. This is a common misconception many first-time visitors make.

Comments?

Feel free to share your experiences in Portland, Maine and/or suggestions for nearby places to visit. Your ideas could be helpful to other travelers. Thanks! 🙂