The Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society plans to open the Outdoor Heritage Museum on Wednesday, May 22.
This year, the museum will feature a new exhibition: “The Rangeley Boat: A Maine Original.” The exhibit explores a timeline of 19th and 20th century Rangeley boat builders, highlighting their innovation and craftsmanship. The oldest known example of a Rangeley boat from the late 19th century will be displayed alongside one of the last boats built in the shop of renowned local boat builder Herb Ellis.
A private collection of Ellis’s boat building tools and shop signs will be on view, as well as recently rediscovered images of Ellis in his workshop. This exhibit was made possible by the Davis Family Foundation.
The historical society will host various programs and events this year, including its series of festival days on the Outdoor Heritage Museum grounds. Visitors can browse art, crafts, and antiques from a variety of vendors at the June 15 Lupine Festival, Aug. 17 Oquossoc Day, and Sept. 14 Fall Festival.
The Rangeley History Museum, at 2472 Main St. in Rangeley, will reopen on weekends in July and August from noon to 4 p.m. and will be the jumping off point for a new historic walking tour. Guides will lead participants on a stroll through downtown Rangeley Saturdays at 2 p.m. June through August, weather permitting. Designed by town historian Gary Priest, the tours explore downtown Rangeley’s past, including the history of its families and businesses spanning the 19th to 20th centuries. The tours are free of admission; donations are welcome.
For more information visit outdoorheritagemuseum.org.
The Outdoor Heritage Museum, located at 8 Rumford Road in Oquossoc, can be reached at 207-864-3091 or info@outdoorheritagemuseum.org.
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