Owls Head Transportation Museum
Activities: Museums, History, Tours, Dining.
Region: Maine’s MidCoast & Islands
Founded by aviation enthusiasts Tim Watson and Jim Rockefeller as a place to appreciate and fly old airplanes, today Owls Head Transportation Museum houses more than 150 antique automobiles, aircraft, motorcycles, bicycles, engines and more. Rest assured, there is more to do than just witness these historic spectacles — the museum hosts many demonstrations of the vehicles in action (and, sometimes, opportunities to ride in them) at a variety of events and festivals. The museum’s two biggest events are the Wings & Wheels Spectacular and the New England Auto Auction.
Exhibits
See the very first airplanes that took flight (hint: they look nothing like airplanes), learn about the women who pushed boundaries in aviation and transportation, and witness the imaginative inventions and thingamabobs that trended back in the day before being “lost” to progress. Here are just a few of the informative and engaging exhibits within the galleries at Owls Head Transportation Museum.
More Than a Century Ago
Featuring the first controlled, powered, hefty airplanes flown by the Wright Brothers.
Women Who Dare
Educates about the daring women behind various transportation models and their numerous contributions.
The Great War
Takes visitors back through time to understand the mechanization of warfare from 1914 to 1918.
Fads & Failures
Vehicles “Lost” to Progress – showcasing the once-popular vehicles that got left behind as the industry progressed.
Pedaling to Progress
Bicycles From 1800s-1920s – educates about the connection between cycling culture and social change.
Road to Vacationland
Displays more than 200 years of popular and practical travel that shaped the state’s tourism industry and inspired the moniker “vacationland.”
Nearby Eats
After exploring the fascinating exhibits about all things motion and flight, make a pit stop to grab a bite to eat in Owls Head or nearby Rockland.
Owls Head General Store
This charming general store is perfect for freshly prepared grab-and-go options, including soups, salads, pizza, burgers and sandwiches.
Archer’s on the Pier (Rockland)
Enjoy views of Rockland’s beautifully bustling waterfront while dining on creatively prepared local fare, like wild oysters and “crab tots.”
Brass Compass Cafe (Rockland)
Come hungry to this inviting cafe, where the portions are generous and the menu varied, from an award-winning lobster club to crab quesadillas.
Mileage:
From Augusta: 46 miles
From Bangor: 64 miles
From Ellsworth: 67 miles
From Lewiston/Auburn: 70 miles
From Portland: 80 miles
Businesses & Organizations
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