2024 Historic Rangeley Programs & Events
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 – 10:00AM-4:00PM
OUTDOOR HERITAGE MUSEUM OPENS FOR THE 2024 SEASON
Rangeley’s rich outdoor history, traditions, and personalities come alive in this special museum located in the charming village of Oquossoc. The Museum, named "Best Sporting Museum in New England" by Yankee Magazine, is a “can’t be missed destination for visitors of Western Maine.” Come view our new exhibit on the Rangeley Boat and check out all the fun programs and events we’ll be hosting all season long (see below). Don’t forget to visit the museum shop, which features books, apparel, art, glassware and a wide variety of gifts.
Saturday May 25 - Sunday May 26, 2024
FREE ADMISSION to the OUTDOOR HERITAGE MUSEUM FOR ALL RANGELEY REGION LOCALS
Just bring proof of residency for free admission if you’re a resident of Rangeley, Rangeley Plantation, Sandy River Plantation, Dallas Plantation, Oquossoc, and Wilson’s Mills!
Saturdays in July and August at 11AM
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
More information to come!
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
More information to come!
Saturday, June 15, 2024 – 10:00AM - 4:00PM
LUPINE FESTIVAL
Outdoor Heritage Museum, 8 Rumford Rd.,Oquossoc, ME 04964
A fun-filled day on the grounds of the museum with over 35 vendor booths offering art, antiques and crafts. Don’t forget to tour the Outdoor Heritage Museum and browse the Museum Store.
Admission to the Festival is FREE; $8 adult admission to see the Museum (FREE for Members and Kids 12 and under).
Are you a vendor interested in participating? Download our application here.
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 – 10:00AM-4:00PM
JULY 3RD IN THE PARK
Rangeley Town Park
The park will be alive with music, events, and all kinds of family fun. Stop by our booth and check out our special museum shop merchandise - all sales proceeds support the Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society, which operates the Outdoor Heritage Museum and the Rangeley History Museum.
Tuesday, July 9, 2024 – 6:00PM (Doors Open at 5PM)
ANNUAL MEETING OF THE RANGELEY LAKES REGION HISTORICAL SOCIETY (HISTORIC RANGELEY)
Bald Mountain Camps, 125 Bald Mountain Road, Oquossoc, ME
Join us for the Historical Society’s Annual meeting! After a short business meeting, Rangeley historian Gary Priest will give a presentation on his research of the history and built landscape of Oquossoc village. Priest will highlight the fascinating locations featured on the Historical Society’s new guided Historic Walking Tour which he developed from his years of researching Rangeley Region history. Priest’s talk will focus on Oquossoc in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, telling the story of a busy lumber and tourism hub complete with hotels, restaurants, shops, a train station and steamboat landings!
Cash Bar; Complimentary light hors d’oeuvres
FREE ADMISSION - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC BY RESERVATION - SPACE IS LIMITED!
CALL 207-864-3091 OR EMAIL MLANDRY@OUTDOORHERITAGEMUSEUM.ORG TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE
MEMBERS: Information on voting will be emailed to you and available at outdoorheritagemuseum.org approximately four weeks in advance. More information on voting, ballots, and background materials can be requested by emailing mlandry@outdoorheritagemuseum.org or calling 207-864-3091. To vote at the meeting, members must be in good standing. Dues can be paid online here: https://www.outdoorheritagemuseum.org/membership-1
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.
Friday, August 2nd, 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. Complimentary glass of wine or beer!
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.
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: KENNEDY SMITH;LAWLESS POACHER, OR LAWFUL PIONEER? with WILLIAM B. KROHN
Outdoor Heritage Museum, 8 Rumford Road, Oquossoc, ME 04964
Historian, author, and retired wildlife scientist Dr. William B. Krohn presents his research on Kennedy Smith: guide, pioneer, and founder of three of Maine’s earliest sporting camps (Tim Pond, Big Island Camps [now Megantic Fish & Game Club], and Round Mountain Pond Camps. Don’t miss this fascinating exploration of a 19th century western Maine character!
Doors open at 6:30PM for touring museum galleries. Cash bar.
FREE admission for RLRHS 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.
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 be sure to visit the Beer Garden! 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).