Midcoast Maine, a region celebrated for its historical charm, often holds hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Among these, nestled on a peninsula south of Rockland, lies Owls Head, Maine, home to the remarkable Owls Head Transportation Museum. This isn’t just any museum; it’s a vibrant, living testament to the history of human ingenuity in motion, boasting a world-class collection of working antique vehicles.
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Discovering the Owls Head Transportation Museum
Since its inception in 1974, the Owls Head Transportation Museum (OHTM) has been dedicated to the preservation, exhibition, and operation of pre-1940 ground vehicles, aircraft, engines, and related technologies. This commitment has grown into an extraordinary collection featuring over 150 antique treasures, ranging from meticulously maintained originals to historically significant replicas. Within New England, OHTM stands out as the largest operational fleet of its kind, offering visitors a uniquely immersive experience.
More than just static displays, the Owls Head Transportation Museum provides dynamic encounters through seasonal events in spring and summer, capped with a special winter holiday celebration. These events, combined with the ever-evolving exhibits, ensure that each visit to this classic car museum is a distinct and memorable adventure.
Exterior view of Owls Head Transportation Museum buildings and vintage vehicles during a fall event in 2021
A Look into the Museum’s Origins
The Owls Head Transportation Museum’s story began with a simple passion for vintage aviation, sparked by Tom Watson, then head of IBM, and Jim Rockefeller, an aircraft and ship builder. Rockefeller owned a grass airstrip in Camden, and their initial idea was simply to enjoy flying old planes around the scenic Owls Head Maine area.
Their vision expanded when they acquired land adjacent to Rockland Airport’s Runway 17. Joined by Steve Lang, a friend of Rockefeller, they developed plans for a nonprofit museum that would not just house, but actively demonstrate the operation of vintage aircraft. A dirt road was carved, and the blueprint for a living museum began to take shape.
To generate public enthusiasm, Rockefeller and Lang conceived the idea of a rally featuring vintage aircraft, engines, and vehicles. The inaugural museum rally in 1975 was a resounding success, drawing diverse crowds and firmly establishing the museum’s trajectory.
From humble beginnings in 1976, with just two cars and two planes, the Owls Head Transportation Museum rapidly grew. The addition of a 100-ton steam engine and a high-wheel bicycle signaled an expanding scope. Today, the Owls Head Transportation Museum is recognized internationally for its unparalleled collection of historical vehicles and technological artifacts, drawing enthusiasts and curious minds alike to Owls Head ME.
Owls Head Transportation Museum: Engaging Exhibits
A hallmark of the Owls Head Transportation Museum is its commitment to fresh and engaging exhibits. The antique auto museum section regularly rotates its displays, ensuring there’s always something new and fascinating to discover each time you visit this Mid-Coast Maine attraction.
Here are some of the captivating exhibits that have graced the museum:
- Women Who Dare: This exhibit celebrates the pioneering women who defied conventions and pushed the boundaries of transportation by land and air.
- Faster: The Quest for Speed: Delving into humanity’s enduring fascination with speed, this exhibit explores the thrilling history of performance, agility, and the relentless pursuit of velocity.
- Fads & Failures: Vehicles “Lost” to Progress: A quirky and insightful collection of vehicles that were once popular but ultimately misunderstood or overtaken by progress, offering a unique perspective on innovation and technological evolution.
- The Great War: An educational exhibit focusing on the profound mechanization of warfare during World War I (1914-1918), highlighting the transformative impact of technology on conflict.
- More Than a Century Ago: Commemorating the Wright brothers’ groundbreaking achievement of the first powered, controlled flight in 1903, marking a pivotal moment in human history.
- Pedaling to Progress: Bicycles from 1800s-1920s: Tracing the fascinating evolution of cycling culture from its early days through the roaring twenties, showcasing the bicycle’s impact on society and transportation.
- Road to Vacationland: Exploring over two centuries of travel history that shaped Maine’s thriving tourism industry and popularized the very term “vacationland,” revealing the state’s rich heritage as a destination.
- Melbourne Brindle: The Artist’s Passion for the Automobile: Showcasing original artworks by Australian-American illustrator Ewart Melbourne Brindle, capturing his deep affection for Rolls-Royce vehicles through stunning artistic interpretations.
- Iconic Engines: Unveiling the stories behind the earliest engines of the Industrial Revolution, examining the power sources that drove societal change and technological advancement.
The Lang Education Center at Owls Head ME
Opened in 1997, the Lang Education Center significantly enhances the Owls Head Transportation Museum’s scholarly resources. Thanks to a generous donation from the Lang family of over 5,000 art pieces, books, and photographs, the center has become a vital research hub.
The research library houses an impressive collection of over 3,000 periodicals, prints, paintings, and ephemera, alongside 8,000 books, 10,000 photos and negatives, living history manuscripts, recordings, and a diverse video and film collection. Access to the Lang Education Center is by appointment only, offering a focused environment for researchers and enthusiasts delving deeper into transportation history.
Interior view of the Owls Head Transportation Museum featuring vintage aircraft and automobiles in June 2020
Owls Head Transportation Museum Events: A Year-Round Celebration
Throughout the spring and summer, the Owls Head Transportation Museum comes alive with a vibrant calendar of events and educational programs celebrating all facets of transportation. Many events feature captivating exhibitor car shows, thrilling live demonstrations, impressive aircraft displays, nostalgic vintage car rides, and exhilarating 20-minute biplane flights. The museum café also provides refreshments to keep visitors energized throughout their experience.
Please note that event schedules may vary annually, and the museum frequently introduces new activities to enrich the visitor experience.
Maine Museum Day
Each year, on Maine Museum Day in mid-March, the Owls Head Transportation Museum extends free admission to all, providing a wonderful opportunity for visitors of all ages to explore its remarkable collection and delve into the global history of transportation without any cost.
Spring Auto Tour
Kicking off the summer season in May, the Spring Auto Tour invites participants to embark on a scenic cruise through the picturesque countryside in their antique, classic, or special interest vehicles, sometimes even including historic steam engines. The destinations for these tours change yearly, offering fresh adventures.
Spring Roll-Out
Further celebrating the arrival of summer, the Spring Roll-Out event in June fills the museum grounds with engaging activities and displays, creating a lively and festive atmosphere for all attendees.
All American Meet
In early July, the Owls Head Transportation Museum hosts the All American Meet, a dynamic showcase dedicated to classic, American-made automobiles. This event highlights vehicles with powerful engines and bold designs, celebrating American automotive heritage.
Truck Show
Mid-July sees the annual Truck Show, a long-standing tradition at the museum. This event features a diverse array of antique trucks, tractors, and commercial and military vehicles, complete with engaging blind-spot demonstrations, a tractor parade, and a synchronized horn-blowing spectacle.
Wings & Wheels Spectacular
Another beloved and long-running event, the Wings & Wheels Spectacular, is a two-day airshow held in August. This high-flying event features renowned aerobatic performers from across the nation, joining the museum’s own fleet to deliver breathtaking aerial entertainment.
People enjoying an outdoor event with vintage vehicles at Owls Head Transportation Museum in November 2019
New England Auto Auction
Since 1977, the Owls Head Transportation Museum has hosted the New England Auto Auction every August. This prestigious event connects vehicle sellers and buyers from around the globe. Even for those not intending to bid, the auction is an exciting and memorable spectacle.
The auction week begins with two preview days, the first culminating in a delightful barbecue. A warmup auction, the Automobilia+Collectibles Auction, features rare automobile collectibles, ephemera, and memorabilia, leading up to the main auction event on Saturday.
Motorcycle Festival
September roars into action with the Motorcycle Festival, recognized as one of the largest motorcycle gatherings in Maine. This event attracts motorcycle enthusiasts from across the Pine Tree State and beyond.
Foreign Auto Festival
In mid-September, the Foreign Auto Festival celebrates the global diversity of automobiles. Showcasing rare and fascinating imports, this festival offers a unique glimpse into international automotive design and engineering.
Holidays at the Museum
Spreading holiday cheer, the Owls Head Transportation Museum hosts Holidays at the Museum, an outdoor event in early December. This festive occasion includes free museum entry and a special arrival of Santa Claus, who lands on Runway 17 via aircraft, ready to hear children’s Christmas wishes in the charming gazebo.
Visitors admiring vintage cars at Owls Head Transportation Museum during an event in August 2019
Plan Your Visit to Owls Head Transportation Museum
The Owls Head Transportation Museum welcomes visitors year-round, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with closures only on select holidays and for unforeseen circumstances. Ticket prices are reasonable, with discounts for seniors and free admission for children under 18, active military personnel, and veterans.
Accessibility
The museum is committed to accessibility, providing complimentary walkers and wheelchairs for visitor use. Adaptive equipment is also available upon request. Furthermore, trained service dogs and miniature horses are welcomed in all public areas of the Owls Head Transportation Museum.
Useful Visitor Tips
- To fully appreciate the Owls Head Transportation Museum exhibits, allocate at least two hours for your visit. Attending a festival or special event will naturally require more time.
- Visitors are encouraged to bring cameras to capture their experiences, however, monopods, tripods, and selfie sticks are not permitted inside the museum.
- Outside food and beverages are allowed but must remain in sealed containers within the museum. From May to October, the patio furniture in Millstone Park offers a pleasant setting for picnics.
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Dining Options Near Owls Head Transportation Museum
After an enriching visit to the Owls Head Transportation Museum, you might find yourself looking for local dining. While the museum café operates during events, here are some excellent nearby restaurants:
Ship to Shore Lobster Co.
Located on the oldest working wharf in the peninsula, Ship to Shore Lobster Co. offers an authentic Maine experience. Observe fisherman’s tools, lobster traps, and colorful buoys while enjoying fresh lobster, steamed to perfection and ready to be savored on the nearby beach.
Owls Head General Store
The Owls Head General Store is a family-run gem where you can grab a quick, delicious bite and indulge in homemade fudge. Famous for burgers lauded as the best in Maine by the Food Network, they also serve breakfast, pizza, sandwiches, and more.
Primo Restaurant
Primo in Rockland offers a refined farm-to-table dining experience since 2000. Utilizing ingredients from its own farm, greenhouses, and gardens, Primo delivers high-quality dishes in multiple dining rooms and a bar setting.
Long Grain
In Camden, Long Grain has been a local favorite for Asian fusion cuisine since 2009. With a focus on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, Long Grain blends Thai, Japanese, Singaporean, Indonesian, and Vietnamese flavors into delectable dishes.
Explore even more fantastic local restaurants in Rockland, Rockport, and Camden to complete your culinary journey in Mid-Coast Maine.
Exterior of Glen Cove Inn & Suites, a recommended place to stay near Owls Head Transportation Museum
Comfortable Lodging Near Owls Head Transportation Museum
For visitors planning a trip to the Owls Head Transportation Museum, Glen Cove Inn & Suites, located in Rockland, is a conveniently situated accommodation, less than 15 minutes’ drive along scenic coastal routes. Our Rockland inn features 36 comfortable guest rooms and suites, a relaxing garden and outdoor heated pool, and direct access to the picturesque Penobscot Bay Walking Trail.
Alternatively, The Country Inn at Camden Rockport, less than 20 minutes from OHTM, offers year-round hospitality with 36 guest rooms and suites and 11 charming seasonal cottages. Guests can enjoy our indoor heated pool and hot tub and the inn’s close proximity to downtown Camden.
Plan your Mid-Coast Maine adventure and check availability at Glen Cove and The Country Inn today!
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