If you’ve ever driven US Route 1 through Waldoboro, Maine, you might have blinked and missed one of the coast’s most unusual hidden gems.

Fawcett’s Antique Toy and Art Museum isn’t your typical polished gallery. It’s a treasure trove of childhood memories, pop culture history, and personal passion—housed in an unassuming building right on Maine’s busiest coastal highway.

It’s the kind of stop that surprises even the most seasoned road-trippers and collectors, making it a must-see on any Downeast adventure.

A Lifetime of Collecting

The museum is the work of John Fawcett, an artist and lifelong collector whose passion for vintage toys, advertising art, and Americana has filled every inch of this space.

Step through the door and you’re greeted by walls lined with tin toys, classic model cars, vintage comics, and retro signs. It’s the kind of place where you’ll spot a 1930s wind-up toy next to a 1960s Batman figure, and feel like a kid again.

It’s not curated in the polished, minimalist style of a big city museum. Instead, it’s overflowing, personal, and wonderfully chaotic. Every shelf and display case is a peek into one collector’s lifelong love affair with America’s toy-making past.

More Than Just Toys

Despite the name, Fawcett’s isn’t just about toys. The museum is also home to a fantastic collection of pop art and illustration, reflecting John Fawcett’s background as an artist himself.

Look closely and you’ll see original art, old advertising graphics, and a rotating collection of Fawcett’s own work. It’s part history lesson, part gallery, and part roadside oddity, all rolled into one.

A True Roadside Find

Part of the museum’s charm is how easy it is to miss. It sits right on Route 1 in Waldoboro with a small sign, making it one of those “wait, what was that?” places you might only catch out of the corner of your eye as you drive by.

But if you stop, you’re rewarded with one of Maine’s most delightfully offbeat attractions and a welcome break from the typical lobster roll + lighthouse itinerary.

It’s also a great way to meet a local legend. John Fawcett himself is often on hand, ready to tell stories about the pieces in his collection and the decades he’s spent rescuing them from obscurity.

Visitor Tips

Location: Right on US Route 1 in Waldoboro, ME. Watch for the sign—easy to miss!

Hours: Typically seasonal and variable. Call ahead or check local tourism info before planning your visit.

Admission: Modest entry fee; donations often appreciated.

Good to know: This is a collector’s personal museum, so expect an informal, homey vibe rather than a polished exhibit space.

Why It’s a Must-Stop on Route 1

It’s a time capsule, an art gallery, and a testament to one man’s lifelong love of storytelling through objects.

Whether you’re a collector, a pop culture fan, or just someone who loves discovering the unexpected, Fawcett’s is worth slowing down for.