Cole Land Transportation Museum
Bangor, ME
The Cole Land Transportation Museum was established in 1990 by Galen and Sue Cole. Galen, a decorated soldier and president of Cole’s Express transportation company, opened the museum to preserve the history of Maine’s transportation equipment, which includes 77 antique vehicles gifted to him from the state and community. Today, snowplows, military memorabilia, motorcycles, fire engines, and farming equipment are all showcased.
The basics
The Cole Land Transportation Museum is a small but packed collection of vehicular exhibits, with one of the stars being the Maine Central Railroad Caboose. Videos are shown throughout the exhibition space, including a screening of a train ride shown in a railway car. The history of snow plowing in Maine is another big focus, with displays on how locals in the early 1900s developed equipment to keep the roads open year-round.
Things to know before you go
The museum is flanked by two Maine war memorials. The site’s Ambassadors of Patriotism program facilitates veteran interviews. Kids can download scavenger hunts to complete in the museum.
How to get there
The Cole Land Transportation Museum is easy to reach, located just off of the Interstate 95/395 interchange. Take Exit 2 from I-395W or Exit 182A from I-95 and follow signs to the war memorials. Turn right on Mecaw Road, then left onto Perry Road. You’ll see the Cole Land Transportation Museum on the right.
When to get there
The museum is only open seasonally, from May 1 through November 11, from morning to late afternoon. Most visitors stay between one and two hours. Consider visiting around lunchtime, especially if you’re passing through, so you can avoid heavier morning and evening rush hour traffic on the highways.
Explore more Bangor history downtown
More of Bangor’s history, including its use of antique transportation equipment, is showcased downtown. If the old fire truck equipment on Fire Engine Lane was of interest, stop at the Hose 5 Fire Museum near Williams Park. The Maine Discovery Museum features one of Cole’s trucks, while the Bangor Historical Society has a collection of keepsakes from the old Union Station.
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