Cole Land Transportation Museum

The Cole Land Transportation Museum is an enthusiast's delight — three acres of Maine transportation history spanning more than 200 years. The collection runs from horse-drawn carriages through early automobiles to military vehicles, but the standouts are the working trucks, snowplows, and logging equipment that define Maine's industrial past. The museum also holds a significant collection of World War II vehicles, including several rare pieces not seen elsewhere.

It's an unpretentious place — more warehouse than gallery — but the sheer density of interesting machines makes it worthwhile, particularly for anyone interested in American industrial history. The museum is located just off I-395, easy to reach by car. Open May through November, admission is a few dollars.

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A story
The museum was founded by Galen Cole, a Bangor businessman who grew up during the Depression and wanted to preserve the vehicles that had shaped Maine's working economy. It holds the largest collection of historic snow-clearing equipment in North America — a tribute to Maine's winters.

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