Penobscot River Museum Viable, Report Says
BREWER - A preliminary report released this week by a nationally known museum
consultant concludes that the river center the city is eyeing as part of its
waterfront redevelopment plan "should be pursued vigorously, promptly, and
in depth."
In his report for Brewer officials, Mac West of Informal Learning Experiences
noted, "The concept is not only valid but holds the promise of making a
very substantial contribution to the array of educational and recreational
resources for Brewer, Bangor and the entire region."
Though the facility is yet unnamed, its working name is the Penobscot River
Discovery Center.
Preliminary estimates suggest that the operation will require from 6,000 to
10,000 square feet of indoor public space as well as space for offices, exhibit
preparation, educational activities and basic operations. It should, if
possible, have direct access to the Penobscot River, a capital budget of $3
million to $5 million and an operating budget of at least $400,000, according to
the consultant's report.
A river museum or similar facility was among the wishes residents expressed
while the community was hammering out its waterfront redevelopment plan. To that
end, the city commissioned the feasibility report as a means of determining if
interest in such a facility exists in Brewer and in the southern Penobscot River
valley.
Now that the city has indications that such interest exists, the city is
preparing to move on to the next phase of the study, which will include
development, design and fund raising to name a few, Economic Development
Director Drew Sachs said Wednesday. He said the city would launch the next phase
within the next few months.
In a telephone interview Wednesday, West said that his preliminary findings were
based on two visits to the area and discussions with a variety of interested
individuals from Brewer, Bangor, the University of Maine, the Maine Discovery
Museum, area historical groups and the business community.
"As it is being envisioned by the local community, it will create awareness
of the unique natural, historical and recreational resources and attributes of
the Penobscot region in a way seldom done," wrote West, whose firm's
clients have included the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, the
National Wildlife Federation and the National Aquarium, to name a few.
"There are many fascinating stories," he wrote, "including the
recent geological history of the region, its longtime occupation by Native
Americans, the arrival and impact of Europeans, the development of the Penobscot
as an industrial and cultural center, specific historic events such as the
Penobscot Expedition, the sequential changes of the river itself through the
industrial years into its present incarnation with extraordinary aesthetic and
recreational assets, and the region's look to its future."
In his report, West recommends that the center spotlight a blend of human and
natural history with programming that is a mix of hands-on activity,
conventional exhibits, role playing and simulation of industries of historical
and current importance in the region, such as shipbuilding, ice harvesting,
logging and brick making.
If it is to succeed, West added, the proposed river center must be of at least
equal quality to the Maine Discovery Museum and the University of Maine's Hudson
Museum, though distinct from both in its philosophy, presentation and visitor
outcomes.
"They raised the bar," West said of those two facilities, adding that
they and the National Folk Festival held this summer on the Bangor waterfront
have "really raised the level of community expectation."
Mayor Michael Celli, an admitted history buff, is among those who believe the
river center would draw residents and visitors alike to the area.
"I think it'll be one of the centerpieces of the waterfront," Celli
said, adding that he envisions a "living, working museum where one might be
able to see boats being built."
Asked if he thought the project was financially viable, Celli said,
"Absolutely." He said early indications are that the center would
receive a great deal of private sector support, though he acknowledged that the
city probably will have to foot some of the up-front costs.
A copyright story
from the Bangor Daily News by Dawn Gagnon, Of the NEWS Staff, Thursday, October
24, 2002.
Penobscot
Landing
The
City of Brewer