The Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society (RLRHS) has announced a robust lineup of programs and events for the 2024 season. The popular Outdoor Heritage Museum, operated by RLRHS, will again offer free admission for locals with proof of residency. 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 while 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 Herb 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.
RLRHS will be hosting various programs and events this year, including its popular series of festival days on the Outdoor Heritage Museum grounds. Visitors can browse art, crafts, and antiques from a variety of vendors at the August 17th Oquossoc Day, and September 14th Fall Festival.
The Rangeley History Museum at 2472 Main Street in Rangeley will reopen on weekends in July and August 12pm to 4pm and will be the jumping off point for a new Historic Walking Tour. Guides will lead Walking Tour participants on a leisurely stroll through downtown Rangeley Saturdays at 2pm June through August (weather permitting). Designed by knowledgeable town historian, Gary Priest, the tours explore downtown Rangeley’s fascinating past, including the history of Rangeley’s families and businesses spanning the 19th to 20th centuries. The tours are free of admission, donations welcome.
Saturdays in June, July, and August at 2PM – STARTING JUNE 8TH
HISTORIC WALKING TOUR OF DOWNTOWN RANGELEY
Explore the historic landscape of downtown Rangeley with a knowledgeable guide and learn the fascinating story of Rangeley’s charming downtown during the19th and 20th centuries. See historic images of Rangeley dating back 150 years as you take a pleasurable jaunt through town!
Weather-permitting. 45 minutes. $5 per person suggested donation, to benefit the Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society.
Tour departs from the Rangeley History Museum, 2472 Main St., Rangeley, ME 04970
Tuesdays in July and August at 11AM
HISTORIC WALKING TOUR OF OQUOSSOC VILLAGE
Walk charming Oquossoc Village with a knowledgeable guide as you learn about the history of this remote but busy little village throughout the last two centuries. See historic photographs of the buildings that are still with us in 21st century, as well as those that have been lost to history. Get a little exercise as you immerse yourself in Oquossoc’s built landscape of the past.
Weather-permitting. 45 minutes. $5 per person suggested donation, to benefit the Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society
Tour departs from the Outdoor Heritage Museum, 8 Rumford Rd., Oquossoc, ME 04964
Friday, July 5, 2024 – Doors open at 6:30PM, presentation starts at 7PM
EVENING AT THE MUSEUM; INDIGENOUS SENSE OF PLACE WITH JAMES ERIC FRANCIS, SR
Outdoor Heritage Museum, 8 Rumford Road, Oquossoc, ME 04964
Our popular Evening at the Museum series is back, and we’re thrilled to host James Eric Francis, Sr. as our first speaker this season. James is a multi-media artist, a historian, and the Director of Cultural and Historic Preservation for the Penobscot Nation. He will be speaking about his research on Maine’s indigenous people and their relationships with the landscape, as well as his work in creating an indigenous places Rangeley Region map for the Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society and Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust.
Doors open at 6:30PM for touring museum galleries. Cash bar.
FREE admission for RLRHS Members and Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust members. $10 Admission for general public.
Space is limited to 30 – please register in advance to ensure your seat: email mlandry@outdoorheritagemuseum.org or call 207-864-3091.
Monday, July 15, 2024 9AM TO 5PM
WORKSHOP: MAKE YOUR OWN GUIDE PACK BASKET
In this course, participants will weave their very own 17” tall pack basket. The instructor will walk the participants through every step of the process, ensuring everyone leaves the workshop with a finished basket! A variety of colors of straps and reeds will be available so you can personalize your basket. As you weave, learn about the history of the pack basket – an important utilitarian item based on indigenous design and used in the Maine woods for hundreds of years. You can use your finished pack basket during your outdoor adventures, for stowing farmer’s market and craft fair finds, and more!
8 hour class. $135 per person/$120 per person for Members. Fee includes materials for making the pack basket.
Bring your own lunch or order one from nearby Oquossoc Grocery
SPACE IS LIMITED TO 20; RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY
To register: email mlandry@outdoorheritagemuseum.org to receive a credit card payment link, or call 207-864-3091.
Saturday, August 17, 2024 – 10:00AM – 4:00PM
OQUOSSOC DAY
Outdoor Heritage Museum, 8 Rumford Rd., Oquossoc, ME
A fun-filled day on the grounds of the museum during the popular village-wide “Oquossoc Day.” Shop 40 vendors offering art, antiques and crafts. The Outdoor Heritage Museum will be open for tours and don’t forget to visit the gift shop as well. Vintage Dogs Maine will be here with their specialty hot dog food truck too!
Admission to the Festival is FREE; $8 adult admission to see the Museum (FREE for Members and Kids 12 and under).
Friday , August 23, 2024 – Doors open at 6:30PM, presentation starts at 7PM
EVENING AT THE MUSEUM: TBD
Saturday, September 14, 2024 10AM-4PM
FALL FESTIVAL
Outdoor Heritage Museum, 8 Rumford Rd., Oquossoc, ME
Join us and shop local and Maine arts, crafts, and antiques vendors on the grounds of the Outdoor Heritage Museum! The Museum will be open for tours and don’t forget to visit the gift shop as well. Vintage Dogs Maine will be here with their specialty hot dog food truck too!
Admission to the Festival is FREE; $8 adult admission to see the Museum (FREE for Members and Kids 12 and under).
A full program calendar for all Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society events and programs can be found at outdoorheritagemuseum.org.
The Outdoor Heritage Museum is located at 8 Rumford Rd in Oquossoc, Maine and can be reached at 207-864-3091 or via email at info@outdoorheritagemuseum.org. The Rangeley History Museum is located at 2472 Main Street, Rangeley, and staff can be reached at the number and email address above.
The Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society preserves the region’s history and engages the public through its museums, collections, programs, exhibits, and events. Our 2024 season was made possible by support from: Helix/Rev Renewables, Morton & Furbish Insurance Agency, Cooke Aquaculture, Sarge’s Pub & Grub, Stephen& Tabitha King Foundation, and the Davis Family Foundation.
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