BRADLEY, Maine — Congressman Jared Golden introduced a bill that would designate the Maine Forest and Logging Museum in Bradley as a national museum.
The designation would not change how the museum is run. It would serve as a recognition of the museum’s importance to the state and the history of logging nationwide.
"To have this designation put on us simply says this is important, come and look, come and see," Tom Christensen, a member of the Maine Forest and Logging Museum Board of Directors said.
Christensen has been working with the museum for more than a decade.
He loves that it’s a "living history museum," where visitors can see artifacts as well as working sawmills, Lombard log haulers in action, and other demonstrations.
"You can see the product being made, and most places around you can't do that," Christensen said.
Christensen said they’re expecting more traction at the museum if the designation passes, which could benefit the town of Bradley and its economy.
"Me, the town council, residents, we all feel a great sense of pride that the museum is there, and anything that can happen, can help promote the museum, we will completely support that best we can," Bradley Town Manager Melissa Doane said.
Mike Wetherbee, president of the museum’s board of directors, said he is overjoyed that they’re being recognized by Congressman Golden for what they do.
"Preserving the history and the legacy and the heritage of forestry and logging, especially what happened here in the cradle of it in North America, right here in Maine," Wetherbee said.
The museum captures hundreds of years of Maine’s logging history.
In the mid-1800s, Bangor was the largest shipping port for lumber in the world.
"The history is important because we need to know where we came from, it helps us to see where we're going," Christensen said.
In a press release, Golden said, "the forest economy has played an important part in the American story, and Mainers are one of the biggest reasons why." He added that this designation would reaffirm "Maine’s continued role as stewards and innovators of the industry."
"Growing that interest in the forestry and logging industry and getting people interested in careers in it," Wetherbee said.
According to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, Maine’s forest economy employs 14,000 people and generates more than $5 billion in sales annually.
"There's a future that's not going away," Christensen said.
Museum leaders said they’re hoping that this proposed designation could lead the path for other forest museums across the country to also be nationally recognized.