Visit
Frances Perkins National Monument
2025 Summer Season: June 19th - September 28th
Welcome Center & Exhibit Open Thursdays through Sundays, 10 am - 2pm
Trails and Grounds Open Daily, Dawn to Dusk
Plan Your Visit to the Frances Perkins National Monument
Frances Perkins Center is partnering with the National Park Service to welcome visitors to one of the nation’s newest national monuments in 2025!
Be among the first to visit the brand-new Welcome Center, where you can:
- Pick up a free trail map (or download a map here)
- Connect with Frances Perkins Center staff and volunteers to learn more about Frances Perkins and the national monument
- Purchase one-of-a-kind merchandise and books
- Get your NPS Passport to Your Parks stamp
- Find Frances Perkins coloring pages and worksheets to help younger visitors engage with this important history and site
- …and more!
From the Welcome Center, you can continue your exploration of the Frances Perkins National Monument by entering the 1837 Homestead Barn or by going straight to the monument’s beautiful grounds and gardens.
A self-guided exhibit on the “Life & Legacy of Frances Perkins” is installed in the Homestead Barn. The exhibit presents an overview of the life of Frances Perkins, highlighting her accomplishments alongside historic photographs and context. The barn is also home to display cases featuring objects and documents related to Perkins’ life, as well as equipment and tools from the historic property.
Frances Perkins Center staff and volunteers will be available to answer your questions and discuss the incredible life of Frances Perkins!
Note: The Brick House is currently closed for ongoing archival work.
Frances Perkins and family dog, Balto, at the Homestead.
Photo Source: Frances Perkins Center
Know Before You Go and Frequently Asked Questions!
The Frances Perkins Center is a 501(c)3 organization in Maine and the official philanthropic partner of the Frances Perkins National Monument. When you visit the monument in 2025, you’ll meet Frances Perkins Center staff, interns, board members, and volunteers (not government employees) who have come together to ensure the monument is open to the public this summer.
Frances Perkins Center does not currently receive monetary support from NPS and relies on donations to staff the Welcome Center and maintain our popular trails, while also working to fulfill other parts of our robust mission!
Learn more about our work and ways to support.
There is limited free parking in the parking lot at the national monument. This is the only public parking available. Please do not park on River Road or nearby private, residential roads. Violators may be towed. No overnight parking is permitted. Click here to view a map of the available parking.
The trails are open year-round, dawn to dusk. It is approximately 1.5 miles total to walk the trail loop (approximately 30-45 minutes to the river and back). The trail is gently sloping through fields and woods. Frances Perkins Center does our best to maintain the trails for all seasons; however, please be mindful of any large roots or branches, especially after storms.
Leashed pets are welcome to explore the trails with you, since they are owned and maintained by the Frances Perkins Center; however, according to federal regulations, pets are prohibited from the grounds near the home, inside the buildings, and on guided programs. If you want to enjoy the trails with your leashed pet, please walk directly from the parking lot to the trail head.
We kindly ask that you please collect and properly dispose of pet waste and never leave your pet in a vehicle unattended.
- Consider your fitness level before hiking
- Swimming is not recommended in the river
- Take precautions against ticks with repellent and light clothing. Always do a tick check after exploring the grounds and trails!
- Pack extra water – there is no public drinking water available at the monument (water is available to purchase in the Welcome Center)
- No picnicking, campfires, or collection of plants or wood
Upcoming Events at the National Monument
Frances Perkins Center partners with the National Park Service to bring engaging, educational, and inspirational programming to the Frances Perkins National Monument. Click below to see what we have planned!
Heritage Tourism
Heritage Tourism is a specific branch of tourism centering travel to experience the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present. It includes historic, cultural, natural, and intangible resources unique and distinctive to the destination.
Click below to learn more about the management and interpretation of Frances Perkins Center’s cultural resources at the national monument.
2025 Summer Season Sponsors
Thank you to our 2025 Inaugural Summer Season Sponsors!
