The Tides Institute & Museum of Art (TIMA), founded in 2002 in Eastport, Maine, is located on the traditional and continuing Passamaquoddy homelands along the Atlantic coast at the United States/Canada border. This unique boundary location shapes TIMA's perspective on the region and the broader world, fostering innovative and cross-sector works through its wide-ranging collections, education, and preservation efforts. As the first significant cultural organization along the northeastern coast of Maine, TIMA serves as a cultural anchor and catalyst, working to reverse the decline that began with the loss of the sardine industry in the early 1900s. The institute’s collection includes nearly 6,000 works of regional art, history, and material culture, representing indigenous peoples and settler works. TIMA’s exhibitions, such as The 70s: Art and Place at Passamaquoddy Bay, Maine and the Wabanaki exhibition Ckuwaponahkiyik Mecote yut kilun ntiyultipon | Wabanaki Presence, showcase its commitment to cultural preservation and community engagement.

TIMA will renovate its newly acquired historic Masonic Hall building in the heart of Eastport. Since TIMA’s inception, Eastport’sMasonic Hall was viewed as the best option for exhibitions and collections storage. The iconic building sits in a thirty-building National Register downtown historic district in the heart of Eastport, a small city undergoing revitalization after a long period of decline. The project, having completed the concept development phase, will now investigate energy systems and energy-reducing façade treatment options before further design, ensuring energy efficiency is integral to the final renovation. The goal is to identify the most energy-efficient mechanical and renovation options while meeting the building’s needs to house and display TIMA’s visual arts collection. This project is part of TIMA’s broader effort to demonstrate the efficacy of energy-efficient renovations, setting a standard for others in the region. The renovation will transform the Masonic Hall into Washington County’s first professional museum facility, supporting TIMA’s long-term vision. Immediate structural repairs were completed after TIMA purchased the building in 2019. A capital campaign has reached the halfway mark, securing significant funding, including a $400,000 National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grant and a $500,000 congressionally directed spending award. Internationally renowned engineering firm Buro Happold will assess the building’s systems and facade, working with Machado Silvetti to develop engineering concepts emphasizing carbon emission reduction, efficiency, and resilience. This scoping work will guide the selection of systems and materials for the renovation, ensuring energy efficiency remains at the forefront of design decisions.