Experience a vacation filled with interesting cultural and historical highlights while staying at Portland vacation rentals. Bethel, which is a small town nestled at the entrance to the White Mountains, is often described as the most beautiful mountain village in the area. But apart from the wondrous biking and hiking trails, and the wide array of natural attractions, people flock to this part of Maine to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the place. If you want to do the same, here is a compilation of cultural institutions located near your Bethel vacation home.
Bethel Historical Society
The Bethel Historical Society is a year round museum that offers tours to over a dozen of period rooms and exhibit galleries. This historic and cultural site was founded in 1966 and since then has housed an extensive collection of materials that document the history and culture of New England, focusing on Western Maine and Maine's White Mountain Region. The museum holds courses, craft demonstrations, educational activities, lectures, seminars and special exhibits. It also has a museum shop, where you can purchase history books, souvenirs, postcards, DVDs and CDs and folk art paintings.
The Bethel Hill Common
Sitting on top of the Bethel Village is the Bethel Hill Common, which is surrounded with the majestic homes of the Bethel Village Historic District. Two of these, which are owned by the Bethel Historical Society, are open for public viewing and tours. This place is always bustling with cultural events like the traditional Mollyocket, Bethel Art Show, vintage car exhibitions and afternoon concerts during Sundays. It's also a place where you can relax and stroll peacefully when there's no event rocking the house.
Deertrees Theater
A nonprofit performing arts center, the Deertrees Theater showcases Maine's top notch talents, performing elaborate and cutting edge acts and presentations from Broadway musicals to dance concerts to stand up comedy. This theater organization can be found in an opera house built in 1936. The theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mahoosuc Arts Council
The Mahoosuc Arts Council is also a nonprofit organization, but this one aims to further advancements in the arts and humanities in organizations, communities and schools in the Greater Bethel Area, through a variety of arts programs and performances. It has been contributing to the community since 1986. It also features the Artists-in-Residence Program in schools during the school year. The Gould Academy Performing Arts Series works in partnership with the council in hosting and organizing performances from local, regional, national and even international artists. It also presents concerts held at the Bethel Summer Bandstand Series, and the Bethel Art Fair.
Culture is one thing Maine is not short of. It is evident in the different cultural institutions found here. Make sure that you include all these in your travel itinerary if you're planning to head to this part of Maine for a vacation. Visit VacationHomes.com to find a rental home in Bethel that will suit your budget. You can search the site listings by price, location and amenities.