DRIVING HISTORY FORWARD
Capital Campaign for the Railway Village Museum
Supporting the Expansion of the Auto Museum
& the Development of a Community Education Center.
PRESERVING OUR HISTORY
A Celebration of Our Past
Founded in 1964, the Railway Village Museum’s mission is to conserve, display and interpret artifacts, authentic period structures and technologies utilized in Maine during the historical period of the mid-19th through the mid-20th centuries.
An Investment in Our Future
Aspiring to transform the way we view and relate to Maine’s rural past, the Railway Village Museum offers interactive visits, educational opportunities, and a variety of dynamic programs to enrich our daily lives—today and for generations to come.
THE CAMPAIGN JOURNEY
The campaign and project concept for a multi-purpose campus building was originally established in 2018 and has been gaining momentum and support since.
What started as wheels in motion to preserve the history of auto making has evolved into a community-wide effort to support preservation while also providing a community education & technology center, auto workshop and garage, curation and archival library, and hands-on opportunities for all generations of Mainers and visitors to enjoy.
This incredible facility will allow for:
- Active engagement with science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics;
- Education in history, preservation, restoration, maintenance, display, and collection of artifacts
Over the course of history, these hands-on opportunities have evolved our transportation industry as well as our state and nation-wide heritage.
We invite you to join us in making this vision a reality by supporting the Driving History Forward Capital Campaign and helping to create a vibrant multi-purpose facility and outdoor space to meet our ever-growing campus and community STEAM, outdoor exploration, and education needs.
Every gift, no matter the size, makes a BIG difference and greatly impacts the Railway Village Museum, our ability to continue to preserve our Maine history, and supports community outreach, engagement, and access.
Explore the New Multi-Purpose Building
After nearly a decade of proposals and planning, the Railway Village Museum is excited to officially launch this exciting multi-purpose building project, for community and STEAM educational programming, to include the following elements:
Education & Technology Center
The building will be in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), making all areas accessible to all
members of the community. It will be heated and cooled for year-round use. The Ed & Tech Center will be equipped with a classroom setting, inclusive of state-of-the-art technology (and multiple layout options for varied events), and a kitchen.
Auto Workshop & Garage
To provide hands-on experience for community members to learn about auto mechanics and auto maintenance, the Auto Workshop and Garage will include a vehicle lift, transmission jack, engine hoist, press, brake lathe, oil drain and caddy, strut compressor, tool carts, supplies and storage shelving, and workshop table/seating space for active education sessions.
Museum Curation & Archival Library & Workspace
With more than 1,000 archived items on site, and items being curated and donated every day, a climate-controlled archival library and workspace are a necessity. This space will be located on both the first and second level of the building and will provide state-of-the-art storage and filing systems as well as adequate work space for repair, restoration, and preservation.
Community Atrium, Showroom & Think Tank
This unique area will provide a welcoming space for program participants, community organizations, and visitors to gather for formal & informal meetings —reflecting the Museum’s commitment to fostering community engagement and collaboration. The space will be reminiscent of a 1950s auto showroom and will also include accessible restroom facilities.
Nature-Based Amphitheater
With the Museum sitting on more than 30-acres, the amphitheater will provide an outdoor space for a connection to nature and a unique site to host a variety of performance, presentation, and lecture-style events.
Integration with the Museum Campus
The proximity of the new multi-purpose building to the current Antique Auto Museum building will enhance the visitor experience—offering a convenient and attractive destination for Maine preservation and educational programming; collaboration with community schools,
organizations, and artisans; as well as for campus tours and community events.
Impact on the Community
The new multi-purpose building will serve as a youth and adult hands-on learning beacon for the Boothbay Region, Lincoln County, Mid-Coast Maine, and beyond.
By providing a state-of-the-art venue and adaptable indoor and outdoor spaces for active learning, the facility will attract a diverse range of programming that appeals to both the museum campus community and the general public.
Full STEAM Ahead
Support of the capital campaign allows the Railway Village Museum to not only share the exploration and celebration of the past, but to also significantly emphasize the importance and relevance that science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) have had on the evolution of industry as we know it today — with specific emphasis on transportation, innovation, and ingenuity — and how we incorporate STEAM into all aspects of our Museum campus and the classes, programs, and events we will be able to host in the new building.
Science
Through exploration and application of physics, chemistry, and aerodynamics over the past century, the transportation industry has been fueled by advances in science. This is evident in all aspects of our train and automotive operations at the Museum and allows our incredible staff to share the science behind the history of our trains and automobiles that quite literally makes the wheels turn.
Technology
With the advancement of technology in all aspects of our lives, the Railway Village Museum is proud to bring the times of old into the digital age with the Museum Digital Archives — an in-depth online catalog of the Museum’s breath of collections from the early to mid 1900s, including: automobiles, hardware, historic structures, musical instruments, salt and pepper shakers, toys, and woodworking tools.
Engineering
Engineering is at the root of our train and automotive operations at the Museum. From steam engines to diesel-electric locomotives, our train system boasts the incredible transportation fuel transition in the mid-19th century, a feat of engineering that Museum visitors can see in-person by engaging with our engineers; taking a train ride; or participating in the Engineer’s Society program — a unique program where participants work directly with our Chief Engineer, learning one-on-one about the operation of the steam locomotive.
Art
Living history exhibits, events, and demonstrations are abundant at the Museum throughout the year. The Museum also collaborates with local historical societies to host literary, photography, and artist forums; offers hands-on history and preservation classes, programs, and events; and hosts live demonstrations with artisans including weavers, blacksmiths, and woodcarvers.
Mathematics
From our narrow-gauge tracks to our locomotive and automotive operations, and from our archives and curation to our restoration and grounds maintenance, math is the foundation in all operations and logistics and is utilized and emphasized in Museum tours, classes, and programs.
A Transformative Investment
The Railway Village Museum’s multi-purpose building represents a transformative investment in the future of the Museum campus and our continued impact on our community. This project will enhance the Museum’s cultural, historical, and educational offerings; strengthen our connection to the community with hands-on learning and volunteer opportunities; and celebrate and preserve our Maine heritage.
Get Involved with the Campaign Today!
To learn more about this unique opportunity to enhance our campus and strengthen our connection to the community, please contact the Railway Village Museum Development Office.
- 207.304.0486
- [email protected]
A Nonprofit Organization with a BIG Community Impact
Established as nonprofit organization in 1981, the Railway Village Museum has relied on our Maine local and seasonal communities — as well as worldwide individuals, families, corporations, and foundations — who are passionate about Maine history and transportation as well as advances in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics to support museum grounds and operations.