Northern Forest Heritage Park
The lumberjack is an almost-mythical figure in American lore, and the Northern Forest Heritage Park exists to show the reality behind that myth. Opened in 1994, this park celebrates the Northern Forest and the men who spent their lives in it, by offering a large number of events to both educate and entertain you and your family.
The lumberjack lifestyle
One of the Northern Forest Heritage Park's main goals is to educate people about the contributions and lifestyles of lumberjacks who lived in the Northern Forest. The Brown House Museum, former home of the lumber mill's owner, features many exhibits explaining this heritage. A full-size replica logging camp further extends your understanding of the lumberjack experience, and the Artisans Gift Shop and display gallery show how the Northern Forest's tradition of handcrafted goods has continued to the present day.
The majesty of the Northern Forest
Of course, the site also pays testament to the natural beauty of the Northern Forest where the lumberjacks worked. The park hosts a river tour every day; check beforehand for times, or to make reservations. Going down the lovely Androscoggin river, you can see the native flora and fauna of the Great North Woods in its natural habitat.
Special events and competing lumberjacks
In addition to its regular activities, the park hosts a series of special events throughout the year. See a blacksmith demonstration, hear a lecture, or go to a seminar on the history of the Northern Forest. One of the most anticipated events is the lumberjack competition, which is in its eleventh year. Watch men and women vie to show who can chop wood, log roll, chainsaw and throw axes most effectively. There are even competitions for visitors, and your children can learn how to log roll! Events such as these bring the lumberjack lifestyle to life.
Wood is a common substance, but few people today know what it was like to hew that wood from the living forest. Visit the Northern Forest Heritage Park to bring that lumberjack lifestyle to life, and have an entertaining time in the process.