Owls Head Transportation Museum

Owls Head Transportation Museum For over 50 years, home to the largest operational vintage aircraft and vehicle collection in Maine!
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The Museum is home to an operating collection of exceptional antique cars, planes, motorcycles and more. In addition to ever-changing indoor exhibits and educational offerings, the Museum hosts a variety of special events utilizing our expansive outdoor campus situated on the picturesque coast of Maine. Annual events include vintage car rallies, antique airplane shows, The New England Auto Auction™, family activities, demonstrations, Model T rides and more — there’s fun for the whole family!

Collection Highlight: 1909 Sears Motor BuggyThe 1909 Sears Motor Buggy represents one of the most fascinating transition...
06/01/2026

Collection Highlight: 1909 Sears Motor Buggy

The 1909 Sears Motor Buggy represents one of the most fascinating transitional periods in American transportation history. At a time when automobiles were still unfamiliar and often intimidating to rural communities, companies worked to make motorized vehicles feel less foreign to potential buyers. Rather than designing something radically new, manufacturers borrowed heavily from the appearance and construction of traditional horse-drawn wagons and buggies.

This type of vehicle, commonly known as a “high wheeler,” was designed specifically for rough rural roads. Its tall wagon-style wheels, carriage body, tiller steering, and exposed mechanical systems made it feel familiar to farmers and carriage owners who were hesitant to adopt automobiles. Even features like the dashboard reflected carriage-era design. Originally, dashboards were intended to shield passengers from mud, debris, and dust kicked up by horses during travel.

Sold through the Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog, the Motor Buggy could be ordered by mail and shipped by railroad in a crate to the buyer’s nearest station. Owners would then assemble the vehicle themselves, attaching the wheels, filling fluids, and preparing it for the road. Sears marketed the vehicle as practical, approachable, and easy to operate for first-time automobile owners.

Underneath its carriage-like appearance, the Motor Buggy was powered by a two-cylinder air-cooled engine paired with a friction-drive system rather than a traditional transmission. The design was mechanically simple and lightweight, making it easier to maintain and repair in rural communities where blacksmiths and wagon parts were still more common than automobile repair shops.

Although innovative for its time, high wheelers quickly disappeared as automotive technology rapidly advanced. By the early 1910s, consumers increasingly preferred more modern automobiles like the Ford Model T, which offered greater speed, comfort, and reliability. Today, the Sears Motor Buggy stands as an important reminder of how manufacturers bridged the gap between the horse-and-buggy era and the rise of the modern automobile.

Discover more artifacts, vehicles, and stories from the Owls Head Transportation Museum collection online.

Browse the collection: https://collection.owlshead.org/

This week at OHTM ✨From scenic drives through Maine to colorful chemistry experiments, there’s something for every kind ...
05/31/2026

This week at OHTM ✨

From scenic drives through Maine to colorful chemistry experiments, there’s something for every kind of explorer this week.

Thursday, June 4
Junior Inventors: Slime Lab | grades K–8 & families
4:30–6:30 PM
Create different types of slime, experiment with textures and ingredients, and discover the chemistry behind polymers and reactions through interactive STEM activities. The Science & Industry Center will remain open until 7 PM for Junior Inventors families.

Saturday, June 6
Spring Auto Tour
8:00 AM meetup | 8:30 AM departure | 4:00 PM return
Join fellow vintage car enthusiasts for a scenic drive through Maine’s countryside to the L.C. Bates Museum of Natural History and Culture. Lunch is provided, vintage attire is encouraged, and participants can enjoy a full day of driving, camaraderie, and automotive history.

Registration closes soon, so now’s the time to sign up!

Learn more and register here:
https://bit.ly/SpringAutoTourRegistration2026

Explore more upcoming museum events here:
https://owlshead.org/events/

NEW: The X-Cup Team will be having a meet and greet on Thursday, June 11th, from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Join us for an evening ...
05/30/2026

NEW: The X-Cup Team will be having a meet and greet on Thursday, June 11th, from 6:30 to 7:30pm. Join us for an evening of conversation, refreshments, and behind-the-scenes stories as you meet the team, mentors, and volunteers preparing for the 2026 Great Race X-Cup.

Complimentary pizza, chips, and drinks will be provided. Please complete the form below so we can plan accordingly.

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing the excitement of the X-Cup journey! Sign up here: https://forms.gle/R5DcN9L7eBCgM4WE6

This week, OHTM’s X-Cup Team members Jenny and Oliver completed a successful practice run on a local practice route - a full two-hour loop focused on consistency, communication, and getting comfortable behind the wheel again as the race approaches.

Practice days like this are about more than miles traveled. They’re opportunities to sharpen navigation skills, build confidence between driver and navigator, and strengthen the teamwork that makes endurance rallying possible.

The team plans to tackle the course multiple times this weekend, with goals to continue working on holding speed, refining instructions between navigator and driver, and preparing for the challenges ahead.

The Great Race X-Cup Division is both a competition and an educational experience where young participants learn engineering, mechanics, navigation, and problem-solving through real-world experience. In 2026, OHTM’s team will take on a historic Route 66 journey in their 1966 Chevrolet Corvair as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of both Route 66 and The Great Race.

Stay tuned as the team continues preparing for the road ahead and follow along on their journey toward 2026, and consider donating to support them: https://bit.ly/X-CupDonations

🔧 Hangar Highlights 🔧Spirits are up, and so is the hangar door!The weather has been nothing short of perfect lately, and...
05/28/2026

🔧 Hangar Highlights 🔧

Spirits are up, and so is the hangar door!

The weather has been nothing short of perfect lately, and with blue skies overhead, several of OHTM’s aircraft took to the skies for the first time this season. After months of maintenance and preparation, seeing these historic machines back in the air is always a welcome sign that summer is on the way. ✈️

Back on the ground, volunteers have been keeping just as busy. Auction vehicles are getting cleaned up and looking sharp as preparations continue, while steady progress continues on the Tiger Moth restoration. Every project, big or small, adds another piece to the puzzle.

Beyond the projects themselves, warmer weather means more chances to see the work happening firsthand. Did you know the hangar is typically open for viewing on most Tuesdays and Thursdays? Visitors can stop by, explore the workspace, and watch OHTM volunteers in action as restoration and maintenance continue throughout the season.

Projects like these take time, patience, and skilled hands. Huge thanks to OHTM volunteers whose dedication keeps the collection running, rolling, and flying.

Interested in being part of the work behind the scenes?
Get your hands closer to history. Join us for a free Volunteer Social & Open House on June 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to explore the museum behind the scenes, connect with volunteers, and discover the many ways you can help preserve and share transportation history. Learn more: https://owlshead.org/event/volunteer-social/

Historic emergency vehicles tell the story of how communities responded to fires, rescues, and emergencies long before m...
05/28/2026

Historic emergency vehicles tell the story of how communities responded to fires, rescues, and emergencies long before modern technology.

During First Responders Weekend, visitors can experience historic fire and emergency apparatus from the museum collection while learning how emergency response vehicles evolved over more than 100 years.

From early mechanical innovation to modern emergency systems, these vehicles represent the history of community protection and public service.

Families can enjoy close-up vehicle displays, educational experiences, and demonstrations throughout the weekend.

📅 June 27 & 28 📍 Owls Head Transportation Museum

Get your tickets ahead of time, so you don't face an emergency in the line day-of! https://bit.ly/FirstRespondersEventTickets2026

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at a museum?Join the museum for a free Volunteer Social & Open House on Jun...
05/26/2026

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at a museum?

Join the museum for a free Volunteer Social & Open House on June 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and take a closer look at these roles. You’ll meet current volunteers, explore the spaces, and get a sense of what it’s like to be part of the work that keeps the museum moving.

At OHTM, volunteers are part of everything from restoring historic aircraft and automobiles to organizing the collection and supporting research in the archives. It’s detailed, meaningful work that helps preserve history and share it with the community.

Learn more: https://owlshead.org/event/volunteer-social/

Collection Highlight: MK-109 “Fauntleroy” Lever WheelchairFollowing the Civil War, the concept of wheelchairs, then comm...
05/25/2026

Collection Highlight: MK-109 “Fauntleroy” Lever Wheelchair

Following the Civil War, the concept of wheelchairs, then commonly referred to as “invalid chairs,” began to change in both design and purpose. Rather than serving only as a means of transport for those who were immobile, manufacturers and medical professionals increasingly recognized their potential to provide independence. This shift led to important design innovations, including moving steering casters from the rear to the front of the chair, allowing users to more easily navigate curbs and uneven surfaces on their own. Materials also evolved from wood to steel and other metals, greatly improving durability and reliability.

In the early 20th century, the Colson Corporation of Elyria, Ohio, originally a bicycle manufacturer, expanded into wheelchair production after World War I. By adapting bicycle components, Colson created mobility devices that reflected the same principles of balance, motion, and self-directed movement found in cycling, but without requiring the ability to stand or maintain balance.

This MK-109 “Fauntleroy” model was developed specifically with polio survivors in mind, many of whom experienced significant muscle weakness or paralysis, particularly in the lower limbs. The design allowed users to power the chair using hand levers and pedals, while steering was controlled through a handle mechanism on the right lever. This system provided both mobility and therapeutic benefit, helping users maintain or rebuild strength through daily movement.

Although innovative, lever wheelchairs like the Fauntleroy were expensive during the Great Depression, costing between $120 and $151 at the time, equivalent to several thousand dollars today. As wheelchair technology advanced after World War II, handrims became the standard propulsion method, offering a simpler interface for users. However, modern research has continued to revisit lever-based systems for their potential ergonomic advantages, including reduced strain and improved efficiency.

The Fauntleroy stands as an important example of early adaptive design, reflecting a broader historical shift toward accessibility, independence, and user-driven mobility.

See transportation history up close at Owls Head Transportation Museum. From early aviation to classic automobiles and motorcycles, every vehicle has a story waiting to be explored.

Plan your visit: https://owlshead.org/plan-your-visit/

This week at OHTM ✨Enjoy cool science exploration and playful STEM discovery designed especially for young learners!Wedn...
05/24/2026

This week at OHTM ✨

Enjoy cool science exploration and playful STEM discovery designed especially for young learners!

Wednesday, May 27
Owls Nest: Ice Excavation Rescue | ages 2–4
10:30–11:30 AM
Young visitors will free frozen animals from ice while exploring melting, observation, and problem-solving through interactive science play.

Thursday, May 28
Junior Inventors will not meet this week.
The program returns June 4 with Slime Lab, featuring messy STEM fun and hands-on chemistry exploration.

Friday, May 29
Owls Nest: Ice Excavation Rescue | ages 2–4
10:30–11:30 AM
Another chance for little learners to experiment with icy excavation activities while practicing creativity and early science skills.

Free with museum admission or membership unless otherwise noted. Come explore, learn, and play this week!

Explore more upcoming museum events here:
https://owlshead.org/new-events/

For nearly a century, first responders have answered the call in moments of crisis. This 1936 Ford ambulance, originally...
05/21/2026

For nearly a century, first responders have answered the call in moments of crisis. This 1936 Ford ambulance, originally gifted by Edsel Ford to serve students at the Hotchkiss School, represents an earlier chapter in that long history of care, service, and sacrifice. While the equipment and technology have changed, the dedication of EMS professionals and first responders has remained the same. This vehicle is currently on display on the floor here at OHTM, on loan from Philip Reinhardt.

During EMS Appreciation Week, we want to recognize the people who continue to show up for their communities during difficult moments - often under enormous pressure. In wake of the recent tragedy at Robbins Lumber Mill in Searsmont, we are especially mindful of the first responders who worked tirelessly to protect lives, support families, and care for one another through an incredibly challenging event.

Join us in thanking and supporting the EMS professionals, firefighters, dispatchers, law enforcement officers, and volunteers who serve our communities every day.

We are grateful to be part of a community that comes together so quickly in times of hardship, supporting one another with compassion, generosity, and strength. We invite you to attend OHTM’s First Responders Event and help us show appreciation for the people who answer the call when it matters most. Your attendance helps honor and support the EMS and first responder community following the Searsmont fire.

Learn more about the event and how to support your local EMS and First Responders here:
www.mainestrongfoundation.org/emergencyrelief
https://owlshead.org/event/first-responder-event/2026-06-27/

Address

117 Museum Street
Owls Head, ME
04854

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(207) 594-4418

Website

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