MACHIAS, Maine — A small group of visionaries is eager to transform a long-abandoned Main Street eyesore into a downtown Machias tourist destination, with plenty of ways to educate and entertain kids.
What years ago was a Ford dealership at 31 Main St. is now an aging hulk of a building that Bob Wright, a visionary who is pushing 80, is eager to revitalize as a seasonal attraction that will showcase artifacts and exhibits that draw on the rich natural and cultural history of Washington County. The goal, he said, is to make downtown Machias a destination instead of a pass-through en route to somewhere else.
The building now is owned by Machias Savings Bank and is leased for storage. June Ashmore, president of a group called Machias Valley Celebrations, joins Wright in the push to make this vision reality, and is eager to see the bank become a partner in this proposed sow’s-ear-to-silk-purse transformation.
Their collective vision for the property, which abuts the Machias River just below Bad Little Falls, includes a replica of a beaver house, fish tanks populated by young North Atlantic salmon and a 35-seat theater that would feature videos about local history. The facility also would showcase an array of artifacts related to local and regional history, including a rapid-fire deck gun from the battleship USS Maine, which was blown up in Havana Harbor, Cuba, in 1898, triggering the Spanish-American War. There’s also talk of sponsoring a fall pumpkin festival and a clam festival, with both events scheduled on weekends that don’t compete with other long-established festivals and celebrations.
In Wright’s sights is The Lion, the 1846 steam locomotive that once ruled the rails in Washington County. The oldest American-built locomotive in New England, it was in use until 1890. The Lion was given to the University of Maine in 1905 and turned over to the Maine State Museum in Augusta in 1976, where it is now on permanent exhibit. Wright would like to see the railroad relic returned to Machias as a centerpiece for the proposed facility’s artifacts display.
Wright also wants the facility he envisions to feature a burn-scarred tree trunk as an anchor for an exhibit about forest fires that have shaped Washington County’s history. Wright also wants to include another tree trunk that has been raked by bear claws. The possibilities, he’s convinced, are pretty much endless.
Wright understands that where all these ideas are headed is anyone’s guess. But, if vision plus enthusiasm could make grease, the wheels of the possible, Wright is convinced, will continue to churn.
A photo or two of the building they are talking about would be nice.
I always thought that would have made a nice recreation center for the kids.
We HAD a recreation center for the children, and an ice skating rink. it is now a warehouse owned by Ellsworth Building Supply.
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a seasonal attraction that will showcase artifacts and exhibits that draw on the rich natural and cultural history of Washington County.
I think they tried that once in Calais. It was called the Downeast Heritage Museum.
I think it sounds like an outstanding idea!
I remember when the first Mustang came out and standing outside just dreaming of having one !
Them was the good ole days ! wish they were here today when life was so much simpler and alot less government control ! My first car was a 1969 mustang fastback , wouldnt she go and couldnt i drive it !
This might be a nice idea. If it is to succeed the people involved had better study, very hard, what transpired in Calais with the Heritage Museum. In the 8 years that that building has been there, I highly doubt that it received as many vistors as it was supposed to attract in one month. If one were to run a national poll asking where St. Croix island is, I would bet that the one in Calais would maybe get 2 out of a million answered questions.
Yes, there is history here in Washington County. But it is almost entirely forgotten outside this county. The powers that be in the tourist industry of this state would like to maintain the status quo. That status would have the tourists beleive that Bar Harbor is the northern most point of interest in Maine.
Unless we can find a means of publicizing this beautiful county to the rest of the world we are destined to remain an impediment, something to endured by travelers heading to destinations on either side of Washington County.
Perhaps you guys should have a national park. Sell the building to Roxanne Quimby !
yea im shocked at the lack of tourist traffic north of ellsworth/bar harbor area …..most times when a business opens along route 1 btween ells and machias , it very rarely sticks ….to bad beautiful area that is underused
Have you noticed how efforts at improvement and reinvention draw forth such reflexive denigration? Almost like , hell, just like people, who hate to see anybody with the vision and courage they lack.
Blessed with a great location right on Rt 1, its a natural choke point for traffic. Already has many attributes of a “destination” waiting to be utilized. A fabulous idea. No one has any idea what the future will bring for us, it never has. No excuse to sit mired in a slough of despond.
Trust me, I would love to see this or anyother project go through and prosper. What I am saying is that there were mistakes made and unreal expectations that were never met in Calais. If you wish to enter into this enterprise, it would behove those involved to study the what’s and why’s of the failed Downeast Heritage Museum.
I absolutely agree with you expectations have to be realistic. Its a long ride to Machias. No shortage of obstacles. But so many of the bricks are already in place to achieve something. Unv. Maine, Margaretta Days, Burnham Tavern. Surrounded by great scenic and historic villages, E. Machias, Machiasport, Cutler, Whitneyville. Breathtaking scenery. Its is very heartening to see people who have decided to try to utilize their strengths in new ways; create a destination and leave dead industries of the past to rest in peace.
Yes because with gas going up and the economy in the tank there will be more tourists with money to spend here. Brilliant idea. I hope BDM writes a story in a few years telling us what is going to be done with the former (Washington co museum) when it goes under.
The building is not that big and there is little in the way of parking for it. A dirt lot there is parking behind the main street stores but that is going to cause a problem. Machias has several empty stores including the old rite aid store ( next to the new rite aid store). There is a grocery store and a few small shops. No pl;ace to buy say shoes or underwear unless you want to try the second hand places.
Wanna bring money to Machias stop raising the property tax EVERY year. Stop all the TAX free places from building or occupying places in town. FIX THE ROADS!!! When the town will not fix roads but will hand out checks to people to pay there bills with and make charitable donations with TAX PAYER dollars then well you reap what you sew….
No one is going to rent the old Rite Aid building at the price the landload is trying to rent the building for? Rita Aid contract must soon be expiring.
More work for the public works department to do. Lets try and work on what’s needed first. Would be nice to have all the sidewalks in town cleared during a snowstorm.
Finally, someone who sees how important it is to try to restore the railroads in Maine.
Maybe a bailout from the government could get things moving along.
Sounds like the costs involved in this would be exorbitant and ongoing.
A better use of time and money would be offering a tax break to a business to move into that building and create jobs. Something that would give back to the area for years to come. Any tax break given would be more than made up from payroll taxes and sales tax on items bought by people with steady income. The cost of moving a locomotive alone would dwarf anything lost short term in tax revenue.
thanks for the updated photo.
This is an enterprise worthy of the Machias area. The history of this little town is a thread almost without peer in the tapestry of America. In keeping with that proud tradition these folks are obviously following the example of their forfathers. All good wishes to them. It won’t be easy. Worthwhile things seldom are. If Machias is about anything, its about that fact. Hats off to you and good luck..
It’s a great idea, but don’t do it thinking that tourists will pay for it, they just won’t.Take half of that building and make it into one of these year round “bounce house-fun center” deals similar to the ones in Bangor and Brewer-except have arailroad theme and you might generate enough revenue to support it. Which of Bangor’s Museums are most visited by folks from Washington County; Cole Land Transportaion, Thomas A Hill Historical on Umion Street, Aviation Museum or the Children’s Discovery Museum? I don’t have the numbers, but I’ll bet it’s where parents can most easily entertain their kids.
This is a lovely idea…unfortunately, it’s not a realistic one. As others have said, there is no real parking in that area and not much else to entice people to stop.
History interests very few anymore, and it’s never been all that interesting to most young children. It’s just another day at school for them. If they can’t play on it, eat it, or pat it, it’s boring.
If you want a museum there, that’s one thing, but thinking it will solve the tourism problem north of Ellsworth is unrealistic.
More east of Ellsworth than north.
There is a town parking lot on one side (always empty) The Main Street Discount/Thirsty Moose parking lot directly across the street, and The McWhiney’s old used car lot (good to hold about fifty cars) is on the other side… There is more parking next to this building than there is at Helen’s
I love how the negative folks who never really do anything, come out of the woodwork to criticize others attempts to help. This building has been languishing here since the Ramsdell’s lost it to the Bank about 15 years ago. Not a single sole has suggested a use for this property other than as a warehouse. Now that Mr. Wright has forwarded an idea, everyone has one they think is better. Where were you previously?
Bob Wright is an authentic Mainer in the true sense of the word. He is an idea man who during his early life rode logs down the Machias river. He has done very well for himself, and is now trying to use his upbeat outlook to help his community.
As to children not enjoying “history” I have taken several generations of children to Sturbridge village, The Old North Bridge, Plymouth Rock, and many other historic sites, just as my parents did for me and my siblings. We always (THAT”S ALWAYS) had a good time. Some of these children even told me (on joining the military service) that they got their patriotism from these trips.
Way to go Bob, If there is ANYTHING I can do to help, let me know.
…tremendous idea, one that many towns and villages could adopt; perhaps as part of their Chamber of Commerce initiative.
Machias Savings Bank actually donating a building??!! I don’t think so. The whole of downtown is a joke with “the bank” taking up most of it. Machias Savings has done well to destroy main street.