Seal Cove Auto Museum’s Speakeasy Revs Up for 2026
Feb 09, 2026
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by First National Wealth Management.
SEAL COVE—It begins with the cars—gorgeous, antique, gleaming, historical cars—but it doesn’t end there.
For years, the Seal Cove Auto Museum has hosted an annual speakeasy, rolling out the red carpet and the history in a night of dancing, fun, and some drinking that’s not quite so clandestine as it was in the 1920s. It does so in the backdrop of what its website dubs a “world-class collection of early Brass Era cars.”
A 1916 Abbott Detroit? They’ve got it.
A 1904 Cadillac? It’s there.
1912 Maxwell with it’s three-speed transmission, once one of the most popular cars in the country? It’s there, too.
At the upcoming speakeay, celebrants get to dance and socialize amid these beauties, pieces of history that tell stories of the country and the local community.
“The speakeasy was originally developed as a way to thank the community for their hard work and to give them an opportunity to get out of the winter blues and celebrate before the craziness of summer begins again,” said Marcia McFarland, museum manager. “Summers can be trying for our local folks, and then the long, dark winter can take its toll. The speakeasy is a way for the adults to step out in early 1900’s garb, throw their cares aside and dance the night away listening to jazz music, sip on a cocktail, and play some cards in a place that will transport you back in time.”
This year’s theme is the Silver Screen Speakeasy.
That’s because this is all about being upbeat and like an old‑Hollywood‑inspired fundraiser, which is packed with vintage flair and plenty of surprises, according to museum staff.
“The party runs from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m., and guests are encouraged to dress the part—think classic glamour, bold accessories, and just a hint of 1920s mischief,” said Outreach Manager Torie Cronk.
“This year’s speakeasy transforms the museum into a star‑studded scene filled with vintage automobiles, live music, charity blackjack, classic cocktails, and a full evening of lively fun. Whether you’re a film buff, a car lover, or just someone who enjoys a good party, this event promises a night worth remembering,” Cronk said.
In the United States, the Eighteenth Amendment outlawed alcohol’s sale, manufacture, and transport. That was in effect during the Prohibition.
According to Etymology Online, the term “speakeasy” appears in the New York “Voice” in 1889, and meant an “unlicensed saloon.”
That, it says, comes “from the verbal phrase, from speak (v.) + easy (adv.); so called from the practice of speaking quietly about such a place in public, or when inside it, so as not to alert the police and neighbors.”
“Compare early 19c. Irish and British dialect speak softly shop ‘smuggler’s den,’” it continues. “The word gained wide currency in U.S. during Prohibition (1920-1932).”
Legal bars closed. Illegal ones emerged. The museum’s party harkens back to that area of jazz and big band music, dancing, escaping while being both glamorous and rebellious.
“There may be other galas and balls, parties and dancing, but there is nothing that compares to dancing as if it’s 1920 next to cars that rumbled through the streets at a time when things were wild as well as secret. We often say that the museum is the best kept secret on the Island, but if you know…you can get in for an amazing experience like no other!” McFarland said.
Charity blackjack tables, dancing, and swinging tunes amongst the cars has been a highlight of the events, which paused in 2020.
DETAILS:
The speakeasy is Saturday, March 28.
Tickets are limited and expected to go fast. It’s $100 for museum members and $125 for non-members.
Carpooling is encouraged so guests can arrive in style without crowding the lot.
The Silver Screen Speakeasy is one of the museum’s most important annual fundraisers, with proceeds supporting the museum’s exhibits, community programs, and mission to tell the story of innovation, ingenuity, and the technical and social changes that shaped New England and America through the development and use of early motor vehicles.
For tickets and additional details, contact the Seal Cove Auto Museum at 207-244-9242 or visit https://www.sealcoveautomuseum.org/speakeasy-2026.
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