lumberman's museum

For years my husband and I have been wanting to visit the Patten Lumberman's Museum in Patten, ME. This is a small museum with 9 buildings total that specifically tell of the life of the lumbermen in the olden days. It starts out with a 25 minute movie that tells about how the lumbermen worked back in the 1930's and 1940's. They also have a gift shop as well. It is very worth the price.

We stopped by the museum to learn more about the life of a lumberman. The tour is $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors. It starts with a 25 minute video of actual lumbermen at work and it is narrated by one of the mill owners. It is very informative and gives a clear picture of what life was like for them. After watching the video, we went out back. There are 9 buildings that comprise the museum. They're filled with artifacts and equipment from that time period. There is also a bunkhouse and a kitchen used by the men. There are several boats that were used on the rivers. It is hands on, so you can actually touch most of the equipment. It takes about 2 hours to see all of it. The reception area is neat and clean and they sell souvenirs. The receptionist was very friendly and answered our questions. This is a good day trip and the surrounding scenery is beautiful! Worth a visit!

We really were not expecting too much in this small, country town, but WOW!! This museum really gives a comprehensive view of logging in "the old days" when logs were floated down the river. They start you off with a wonderful video spliced together from old silent film taken on one of the last runs down the river. It was (much) later narrated by the photographer. There are numerous buildings which house all kinds of artifacts ranging from very unique early chain saws to their huge steam tractor on skis and tracks that was used to haul log sleds. Even the authentic logging camp kitchen and dining area was unique and interesting. The museum really gave us an appreciation for what life must have been like in that industry.

Worth the modest admission cost! The movie in the Reception Center is a MUST...1930s footage of lumbering with narration...A well-organized homage to the lumber industry of the past and the hard-working men who risked life and limb...Allow at least an hour and a half to stroll through the 6 buildings that re-create the full lumberman experience... Take a ride up the road to Shin Pond Village for an ice cream after! Or hike to the Shin Pond Falls!

Staying in Island Falls and looking for a way to kill some time. Very surprised. The best small museum I have been to. Lots of unique exhibits. A great movie at the start made by a 1930 logger filled with scenes of a bygone era. The grounds have several original building and reconstructions. Gives you a real feel for what it was like. Go, but give yourself time to enjoy.

This is a wonderful museum. It's is full of tools used in the old lumbering industry. They have a movie they show of driving the logs down the river which is great to watch. I would recommend taking time to see this.

Coming back to see the expanded exibits and new machines, its been years since I was here last with my father and since then it has expanded its inventory of historical machines and photos and tools showing the lumber industry in its hayday when logging was king in this neck of the woods. Nice place to bring the kids to see how things were done in in the past. Nice day trip for the family.