Sebastian and Coral Crissey have created something sure to catch the interest of Maine Lobster Festival fans from around the world. The couple, both 25, opened their premiere entrepreneurial venture in May: the first-of-its-kind, virtual Maine Lobster Museum.
This quirky, immersive online experience walks visitors through seven exhibits, including lobster biology, the industry’s history, sustainability, culinary significance, and how Maine’s most iconic creature has clawed its way into art, memes and pop culture. Designed for adults and kids, the user-friendly website gives visitors a deep dive into what draws so many people to the Lobster Capital of the World.
Each exhibit is designed to engage people with varying interests. While some might be fascinated to learn the history of how lobsters were served as prison food at the turn of the century, others might be more interested in famous movie and TV scenes featuring lobster — or what’s behind Lady Gaga’s famous lobster hat!
“Our museum meets the younger generations where they already are,” Sebastian Crissey said. “It’s interactive, visually rich and accessible on any device. It offers an online educational activity that’s a positive alternative to more negative or draining Internet time. Unlike doomscrolling the Internet, our interactive exhibits encourage active learning and genuine curiosity.”
The museum can be entered with a day pass or for more extended periods. In fact, it’s a great tool to have in your back pocket if the Festival has a rainy day.
“What makes the virtual format so special is that anyone in the world can experience it, no matter where they are,” he said. “It also makes the museum far more accessible for people who may not be able to visit Maine in person, due to either cost, mobility or geography. The digital space allows us to reimagine what a museum can be.”
Laurance is the cute, animated lobster who acts as the virtual docent throughout each exhibit. Fun fact: Laurance was named after Sebastian’s grandfather, who was himself a pioneering entrepreneur.
Sebastian Crissey is a native Mainer and a social impact entrepreneur. After years of traveling abroad, immersing himself in the topics of food sovereignty, and earning a degree in digital media, he conceived the museum idea with his wife, whose overlapping skills meshed with Sebastian’s. As the museum’s co-creator/archival curator and designer, Coral Crissey helped shape the museum’s foundation, adding her knowledge of community archiving, accessibility and visual storytelling.
“We wanted to create something that feels both nostalgic and imaginative — like a roadside attraction reimagined for the digital age,” Sebastian Crissey said. “Lobster is such a symbol of Maine, but there’s so much more to the story than just what’s on the plate.”
Admission is $10 for a 1-day pass or $20 for a 3-day pass. For true lobster lovers, membership options include 3-month and 1-year passes with unlimited access and exclusive perks. All proceeds support independent digital storytelling and ocean-focused education. FMI: www.mainelobstermuseum.org
Maine is the place to be this summer! The Maine Lobster Festival has free admission from July 30 to Aug. 3, 2025. For more information, visit: www.mainelobsterfestival.com
About the Maine Lobster Festival
Five days of fun and feasting on the fabulous coast of Maine, the Maine Lobster Festival attracts thousands of people to the Midcoast region and has a long tradition of giving back to the local community. The 2025 Festival will be held July 30-Aug. 3 and will celebrate its 78th anniversary. Once again, admission will be free. For more information about the Maine Lobster Festival, visit the website at www.mainelobsterfestival.com, “like” it on Facebook, follow it on X (formerly Twitter) at @MELobsterFest, and on Instagram at @mainelobsterfest.
