A $12.25 Million Capital Campaign
Inspiring Tomorrow’s Pioneers
For over 40 years, the Owls Head Transportation Museum has celebrated the human quest for innovation and progress. In addition to our premier collection of historical aircraft, automobiles and engines, the Museum serves as an educational learning center focused on America’s transportation pioneers, inventors and entrepreneurs.
America is on the brink of the next revolution in transportation.
The Museum’s exhibits present history where visitors, community members and students interact with the innovations that have helped shape — and transport us — all our lives. Our exhibits and education programs not only connect us with the past, but also encourage us to “imagineer” the future.
OUR CHALLENGE
Owls Head Transportation Museum has become a nationally recognized venue for the display and education of how changing transportation innovations have reshaped our society. We have simply run out of space for our growing collections and our expanded educational programs.
Our Vision for the Next 40 Years
Owls Head Transportation Museum has emerged as an experiential learning center in Maine, for teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), where visitors, exhibitors, students, teachers and volunteers can share their knowledge, tools, experience and designs — and participate in creating transportation innovations for the future.
Space to Expand
In order to meet present and future needs, the Museum must do more than expand our vision; we need to expand our facilities. Our community is growing. We currently host 30,000+ visitors per year on-site, 1,800+ members, 5,000 free 10-and-under admissions, 2,000 exhibitors displaying vehicles at summer events, 200+ volunteers supporting Museum activities — and this increases every year.
A Community Education Center
After several years of rigorous evaluation and assessment, the Board of Trustees believes there is both a need and an opportunity to expand the Museum’s programing as a unique education center. The new footprint with flexible spaces lets the Museum draw on our expertise, experience, collections and resources to offer students and visitors across Maine our exciting new programs, including the Race to Power the Future.
A Building as Innovative as its Programs
The Museum board has approved a detailed building and site plan that will greatly enhance our ability to execute the mission of the Museum and improve the overall experience for the tens of thousands who travel from Maine and around the world to visit Owls Head.
A
Expanded Restoration Workshops have doubled in square footage to include specialty shops, volunteer break room, and a safe visitor viewing area.
B
Flexible Education Spaces include an Energy Education Room and multi-use classrooms and auditorium for STEM teaching and the Race to Power the Future programming.
C
Space Frame Entrance is our visitors dynamic first impression, welcoming the public to the Museum’s extensive facilities, exhibits and areas of interest.
D
Outdoor Event Pavilion and Courtyard is a distinctive covered patio connection from the main galleries to the restoration workshops with outdoor dining areas.
E
Diamond Portal provides an alternative entrance with views to the runway and displays that highlight the pioneers of transportation including local Maine heroes.
F
Site Design and Improvements include a new entrance approach with a landscaped view for visitors’ first impression of the Museum.
“Within each of us lies the potential to create innovations that can change culture, society and the tools that control our lives.”
~ James S. Rockefeller, Jr. | Founder
We need your help and support.
Museum Trustees and Staff have formed a Capital Campaign Committee to raise the funding necessary to achieve our vision. We hope that you will take an in-depth look at our plans and become part of this exciting future for OUR Museum.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
Thomas H. Rudder, Board Chairman • James S. Rockefeller, Jr., Founder
Lawrence Woodworth, Chairman Capital Campaign Committee
John D. Karp, Board Co-Treasurer • John Harris, Board Secretary • John Bottero, Executive Director