Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village Museum, New Gloucester
This museum within New Gloucester's Protestant Shaker village can truly be called a living exhibit because the Shakers here make up the last active community in the world. Guided tours take visitors to the original 1794 meetinghouse and five other buildings where exhibits cover Shaker life, industry and culture. The 1816 Spinhouse will display more than 100 items from the museum's folk art collection through the 2009 season. Open Memorial Day through Columbus Day, Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. www.shaker.lib.me.us

Museum L-A, Lewiston
From the 1850s to the 1950s the textile mills, shoe mills and brickyards of Lewiston and neighboring Auburn (L-A) made up the state's largest manufacturing center. Museum L-A documents the industries and the people who made them thrive. Within the 1850s Bates Mill, the museum displays vintage machinery, tools, shoes and quilts along with a cell phone accessible oral history tour of mill workers from both cities. Open year-round Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. www.museumla.org
State of Maine Building, Poland Spring
In 1893, the State of Maine Building was constructed in Chicago for the World's Columbian Exposition. When the expo ended, the octagonal structure made of granite and wood with four corner turrets and a roof that tapered to a central tower was dismantled and moved by train to the Poland Spring Resort where it was rebuilt in 1895. The building now displays photographs and artifacts from the exposition and the resort, and has room exhibits about local history. Open May through October, Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. www.polandspringps.org
 
Hamlin Memorial Library and Museum, Paris Hill
The original 1822 Oxford County Jail is now a community library and museum displaying local history. The granite building, with bars still covering the windows, is named in honor of Hannibal H. Hamlin who grew up next door and was Abraham Lincoln's first Vice President. Visitors can see Lincoln-Hamlin campaign artifacts, portraits of early residents, the 1848 Paris Friendship Quilt, a rare hand-drawn birch bark Rangeley Lakes map made by an Abenaki Indian, locally mined gems and minerals, diaries and other displays. Open April through November 1 on Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. www.hamlin.lib.me.us
 
 
The Wilhelm Reich Museum, Rangeley
The former home and laboratory of 20th century scientist and psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich, M.D. is now a museum preserving his research space and scientific artifacts. Reich discovered a physical, biological energy in all living matter that he called "orgone." The museum documents Reich's life and pioneering work, and displays his inventions, scientific apparatus, and the contents of his library and study. The 175-acre site also has a system of woodland nature trails and a picnic area. Open in July and August, Wednesday through Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and during the same time on Sundays in September. www.wilhelmreichmuseum.org
 
Bethel Historical Society Regional History Center
Two historic houses are the focal point of this museum in the mountain village of Bethel. The 1821 O'Neil Robinson House offers changing exhibits, plus on-going displays on the history of the town, Maine barns, and minerals and mining. At the adjacent 1813 Dr. Moses Mason House, guided tours take visitors through nine rooms containing fine original Federal-period decorative arts, furniture and wall murals by folk artist Rufus Porter. Through May 2010 the house has an exhibit on the history and role of the Grange in Maine. Open year-round Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. And from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in July and August. www.bethelhistorical.org
Dead River Area Historical Society, Stratton
Canoeists and fishermen who enjoy the mountainous surroundings of Flagstaff Lake take in the same view once had by the residents of Flagstaff and Dead River Plantation. A historical society exhibit honors the two "lost" towns that were flooded when the Dead River was dammed in the 1950s. Other artifacts on display dating from the 1850s include a church organ, tools, china, glassware, furniture from local homesteads and a complete schoolroom. Open in July and August on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 207-246-2271
 
Maine's Paper & Heritage Museum, Livermore Falls
This new museum tells the story of paper mill communities in Maine, with an emphasis on those in the Androscoggin River valley. Located across the street from an operating mill, the museum currently displays 19th and early 20th century photographs of paper mills and workers, and office and manufacturing equipment. Planned exhibits include the evolution of papermaking techniques, audio and video histories from living paper workers, and a train ride through the mill yard. Call 207-592-1807 for operating hours and more information. www.papermuseumofmaine.org
 
The Stanley Museum, Kingfield
Twin brothers and Kingfield natives Francis and Freelan Stanley are best known for inventing the Stanley Steamer automobile. It was America's top selling car in the late 1890s, and the museum displays three models from the early 1900s along with engines and car history. The brothers also invented an early photographic printing process. Visitors can see an exhibit of vintage camera equipment and the photography of sister Chansonetta Stanley. Family paintings, portraits and violins made by the brothers are also on display. The museum is open from June to October on Tuesday through Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and November to May on Tuesday through Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. www.stanleymuseum.org
 
The Rufus Porter Museum and Cultural Heritage Center, Bridgton
Rufus Porter was an artist and inventor who lived from 1792-1884 and spent his childhood in the Bridgton area. Porter is best-known for his landscape murals painted on walls of private homes throughout New England. The museum and cultural heritage center preserves a Bridgton home containing murals painted by Porter in 1828, and  offers classes, lectures and workshops on wood carving, restoration arts, folk painting, traditional furniture making and fiber arts. Open June through mid-October, Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. www.rufusportermuseum.org

To learn about more museums in the Lakes & Mountains Region and other summer attractions, visit www.westernmaine.org.