Schoodic Institute Welcome Center at Rockefeller Hall, Acadia National Park
The Rockefeller Hall Welcome Center is part of the Schoodic Institute, an education, art, and scientific research center within Acadia National Park. It is located on Big Moose Island, which is attached to the Schoodic Peninsula by a causeway. It was built in 1935 by the National Park Service for use as a Navy barracks after the Navy agreed to move its base at Mount Desert Island to Winter Harbor on the Schoodic Peninsula. This allowed room for the expansion of Acadia National Park. The deal was brokered by John D Rockefeller, Jr. The base’s main purposes were monitoring foreign communications, code breaking, and locating enemy ships. It remained in operation until 2002.
The Welcome Center is typically open daily from May 1st through mid-October, 10 AM to 5 PM. Keep in mind that times can always change, so be sure to the the current schedule on the Schoodic Institute’s Welcome Center at Rockefeller Hall web page.
Back deck of the Schoodic Institute Welcome Center at Rockefeller Hall, Acadia National Park
Visitors to the Welcome Center can purchase an Acadia National Park entrance pass and peruse some exhibits about the former Navy Base and the activities that now take place at the Schoodic Institute. There is also a gift store inside.
Naval history exhibit at the Rockefeller Hall Welcome Center on the Schoodic Peninsula, Acadia National Park
Exhibit about activities at the Schoodic Institute on display at the Rockefeller Hall Welcome Center on the Schoodic Peninsula, Acadia National Park
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on July 3, 2026
