The grand opening of the Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum was held on Saturday in Oquossoc. (David Hart photo) Irregular Staff

OQUOSSOC — Ten miles down the road from a ground breaking ceremony for the new Height of Land reconstruction project, another significant event was planned to perfection last Saturday.

Sitting on the grounds of the historic Rangeley railroad bed, the Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum is now officially open to the public after a decade or more of planning.

Over the past 50 years, the Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society has collected major and important historical collections of general outdoor interest that is now displayed at its museum at the corner of Route 17 and 4 in Oquossoc.

Nearly 100 people were in attendance at the grand opening which allowed so many to learn about and enjoy the region’s rich history in outdoor sporting.

Stephanie Palmer, one of the museum’s founders, at one of the displays in the museum. (David Hart photo) The society also formed partnerships with the Rangeley Region Guides’ and Sportsmen’s Association. The association is dedicated to protecting and enhancing fisheries, education and training through guide programs, hunter safety and to provide courses for outdoor techniques in hunting and fishing.

“After dreaming about this for 15 years, that dream is now a reality,” said RLRHS president Don Palmer before the ribbon cutting.

Governor John E. Baldacci who attended the groundbreaking of Height of Land was also at the museum to cut the pine bow ribbon.

“There are two things that are important about history and tradition. We don’t celebrate them enough and we don’t recognize the importance of our historical ancestry and background,” Baldacci said.

The governor said that we don’t spend enough time with our parents and grandparents to understand the historical significance of what we do today.

“What you have done with this historical society and this facility is to be able to enshrine this so that young people, school children and grandchildren can come and visit and learn about our history and heritage,” Baldacci said.

“I know that there are tough and challenging times, but you folks are doing this during the toughest times of our generation… my hat is off to you.”

“Now you may not be able to catch a 10-pound brook trout out there,” Baldacci explained, “but you can certainly see one in here and they certainly have a cast of characters displayed who have been internationally recognized and have fished in these waters... I’m just here to celebrate the hard work from all and for what you’ve all been doing and to recognize such a special place where we can live in our state,” Baldacci explained.

Soothing bagpipes filled the air for those in attendance as well as the smell of free hotdogs and drinks which were served in a very festive opening. The doors then open for entire crowd who were welcomed in to tour the new facility and all it has to offer.

“The sun is shinning in Rangeley today in a big way,” Baldacci said while touring the museum. “This is all very impressive. I am very proud of the people here in all working together. It’s nice to see all of this in the toughest of times. Rangeley can be very proud with all that they’ve accomplished.”