The Umbrella Cover Museum

You know that little pocket that comes on a new umbrella when you buy one? It's like a sleeve made out of the same material as the umbrella. . . That's an umbrella cover. Other names for it include:
sheath case envelope and slipcover In recent times, the traditional fabric is being replaced with the clear plastic case, a highly regrettable industry practice. This does, however, make the importance and value of the Umbrella Cover Museum more pressing and vital. Please write to your congress-people decrying the elimination of one of the last relics of tangible evidence of our civilized society.
The World's First and Only Umbrella Cover Museum opened with firecrackers and cupcakes on Peaks Island off the coast of Maine during the summer of 1996. The brainchild of U.C.M. Director and Curator, Nancy 3. Hoffman (pictured to left at ribbon cutting), the Museum exhibited close to eighty umbrella covers. Each cover has its provenance and story posted along with the actual cover. When asked what inspired her to open such an unusual museum, Nancy 3. replied, "I was cleaning out my house one day, and discovered that I still had all of the covers from all of the umbrellas I'd ever bought (seven or so). That got me thinking. Then one day, around 1992, I was in a dime store and I stole a cover off of an umbrella . . . just the cover. Then I knew I was hooked. After that I started planning the Museum and soliciting donations for the exhibits."
After 6 years, the Umbrella Cover Museum outgrew its place in Nancy 3's kitchen and is now housed at 62-B Island Avenue, Peaks Island, Maine. It is open during the summer, call or e-mail for hours and directions to the museum from Portland, Maine. It's a lovely 20 minute ferry ride from Portland and a five minute walk from the landing on Peaks.

Umbrella covers currently on display at the Umbrella Cover Museum hail from forty-four countries. Regular Museum events include guided tours and the singing of "Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella," with accordion accompaniment. A donation is requested. For more information contact Director, Nancy 3. Hoffman or phone 207-939-0301.

WHAT IS AN UMBRELLA COVER?

People flocked by the tens to see the museum, people were thrilled to donate their old umbrella sheaths, and the international press went bonkers.

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Umbrella Cover Museum is dedicated to the appreciation of the mundane in everyday life. It is about finding wonder and beauty in the simplest of things, and about knowing that there is always a story behind the cover.

Nancy’s book,

Uncovered And Exposed! a Guide to the World’s Only Umbrella Cover Museum is available now! You can pick up a copy here.

The Umbrella Cover Museum was founded in 1996 on Peaks Island, Maine by Director and Curator, Nancy 3. Hoffman. Having discovered that she had five or six umbrella covers she didn’t know what to do with, and eventually stealing one from a local department store, she decided to start a museum.

Links to Press and

Media COVERAGE:

Umbrella Cover Museum

on The Weather Channel

video link.

Working Waterfront story May, 2011 click here.

USA Today - 10 great places to go Through the Looking Glass click here.

You can LIKE the Museum on our Facebook fan page.