New exhibits at the Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum draw visitors

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Left to right: OSHM Executive Director, Bill Pierce, “Stanley” owner, Rondi Nelson and Rangeley Lake Region Historical Society President, Don Palmer.
Left to right: OSHM Executive Director, Bill Pierce, “Stanley” owner, Rondi Nelson and Rangeley Lake Region Historical Society President, Don Palmer.

OQUOSSOC – Following on the success of “Rangeley’s Famous Trout and Salmon”, which premiered in June, the Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum (OSHM) in Oquossoc has experienced a big jump in visitors with the opening of two additional exhibits.

“‘Stan Bogdan, The World’s Greatest Fly Reel Maker’ and ‘George Shepard Page, The Man Who Changed Rangeley Forever’ have created a nice increase in visitors over what we experienced from last season,” said OSHM Executive Director Bill Pierce. “These new exhibits have been great additions to our already popular collection.”

The new Stan Bogdan exhibit features artifacts and documents that chronicle the life and work of what many consider to be the finest maker of fly reels that the world has ever known.

“Stan Bogdan loved to come to Rangeley and had a passion for catching our land locked salmon,” said Pierce.

This exhibit features tremendous examples of his notable craftsmanship, fishing equipment and a video interview of Bogdan by Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society President Don Palmer. The exhibit shares his fishing experiences and several noteworthy friendships with Rangeley’s own Herb Welch, Ted Williams, Lee Wulff, the Duke of Marlborough and others.

Another highlight of new exhibits at OSHM is one of the oldest and largest brook trout mounts in the country. Affectionately named “Stanley” by the Page family, the mount is now on display as part of the ‘George Shepard Page, The Man Who Changed Rangeley Forever’ exhibit.

In the Fall of 1867 one of the largest and most celebrated brook trout ever taken in the United States was caught in the Rangeley Lakes Region by George Shepard Page’s cousin Henry O. Stanley. This large male and a female estimated at over 10 lbs. were transported alive by Page to his home in Stanley, N.J. in an attempt by Page to propagate and restore New Jersey’s brook trout fishery.

The huge male trout was not weighed when caught, however it is an accepted fact that all fish lose weight after capture and Professors Baird and Agassiz, the former of Harvard University and were the leading experts of their day, both gave their opinion that when taken this trout weighed at least 11.5 lbs. “Stanley” measured an unheard of, 30 inches in length and 18 inches in circumference After its demise the massive trout was mounted by one of the leading taxidermists of the day and was displayed in Page’s New York office. The Bogdan and Page exhibits will be featured at OSHM through the end of September.

“As word continues to spread about this wonderful museum, more and more calls are coming in with offers to donate some very interesting artifacts that will surely help us to further share the amazing history of this region” added Pierce.

On Aug. 16, IFW Commissioner Chandler Woodcock and Sen. Tom Saviello will be present for the dedication of OSHM’s 4th new exhibit of the summer. “The Maine Warden Service” exhibit will offer unique artifacts that share the important history of the nation’s oldest conservation law enforcement agency. A dedication ceremony of this exciting new exhibit will take place at 11 a.m. at OSHM.

The Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum is open 10-4 p.m. daily in July and August and is located at the corner of Routes 4 and 17 in Oquossoc Village in Rangeley, Maine. Admission is free to children 12 and under and members of the armed services. Members of the Rangeley Lakes Region Historical Society are also admitted free of charge at any time and may also bring two guests free of charge.

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1 Comment

  1. Visit if you can! This was a great find, not too far from home. Excellent and inviting place to learn about our local sporting heritage and you can still get in a hike, swim or some canoeing. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and bonus: there are two great restaurants in the neighborhood.
    Greg and Tracy Williams

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