The Passamaquoddy Cultural Heritage Museum
Mission
The Passamaquoddy Cultural Heritage Museum’s mission is to identify, preserve, enhance and continue to protect resources significant to the cultural life ways of the Passamaquoddy people.
It is entrusted with the collective responsibility of the Passamaquoddy Tribe to continue this work in all aspects of cultural wellness and vitality. We are home to baskets, archaeological artifacts, wood carvings, beadwork, paintings and other forms of art, as well as books, photographs and other resources.
Founder & Director
Donald Soctomah (born 1955) is a Passamaquoddy author, historian, and former legislator. He founded the Passamaquoddy Cultural Heritage Museum in 2000. The museum is located on a site that has been used for various purposes over the years; being reclaimed by the Tribe it served as a sawmill, an elderly meal distribution site, and a food pantry.
As the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Soctomah has worked tirelessly to safeguard Passamaquoddy culture and history. He has written books on tribal history and co-authored children's books, as an oral historian he has recorded his people's stories, and as a language keeper has been involved in revitalization efforts. He has also consulted on film projects for networks like PBS and the Discovery Channel.
Soctomah served as the Passamaquoddy Tribal Representative to the Maine House of Representatives from 1999–2002 and again from 2007–2010. During his time as a legislator, he successfully championed laws to protect Native American grave sites, mandate the teaching of Wabanaki history in Maine schools, and remove offensive place names.
For his work, Donald Soctomah has received several honors, including the Constance H. Carlson Prize and an honorary doctorate from the University of Maine at Machias.
Donald Soctomah, Passamaquoddy author, historian, former legislator, and founder and director of the Passamaquoddy Cultural Heritage Museum
Additional Resources
Hours
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Thursday
Location
Rt. 1 in Indian Township, Maine.
Mailing Address
PO Box 159, Princeton, ME, United States, Maine
Email Address
soctomah@gmail.com
Website
pmportal.org and museum Facebook page
This research was compiled as part of the Mihqitahatom: The “I Remember” Walk at Motahkomikuk/Indian Township, which took place on August 17, 2025. For more research related to this area, click on the tags below. To download a hi-res version of the posters below for educational use, please contact where@atlanticblackbox.com.
This walk was a collaboration between the Passamaquoddy Tribe at Motahkomikuk (Indian Township), First Light, and the Walks for Historical & Ecological Recovery (WHERE), a series convened by Atlantic Black Box, following the actions and determination of the community and leadership from elders.
Poster design by Meadow Dibble