OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Learning about Old Orchard Beach’s history is as simple as taking a walk.
The newly installed Museum in the Streets walking tour has added 29 eye-catching signs to the town’s landscape. The signs are located at sites of historic interest, and feature pictures with text in both English and French. There are an introductory panel and 23 numbered panels located in the downtown, another panel a short distance away at The Salvation Army, and four more in Ocean Park.
The tour begins at the corner of Old Orchard and Miliken streets with a map and overview of the panels. Locals, tourists, history lovers, or those just looking for something to do can take the tour at their own pace, discovering the stories of the town’s past as they visit each illustrated panel.
Town Manager Larry Mead said was one of many local officials on hand Thursday evening at a small ribbon cutting ceremony. He said history walks draw people to communities, and are enjoyed by both young and old and residents and tourists.
“And let’s face it, Old Orchard Beach history is pretty damn cool,” said Mead.
The tour highlights many interesting facts about the town. For example, the town’s beloved beach, where thousands of people flock to each year to enjoy the sand, sun and surf, used to be home to automobile racing. A train depot used to be located at the corner of Old Orchard and First streets, where a Subway sandwich shop is located today.
Also poet Robert Frost once played tennis at the tennis courts in the quiet seaside community of Ocean Park.
Museum in the Streets is an international network of historic walking tours founded by Cushing resident Patrick Cardon. Panels are made of durable Formica and guaranteed to last 10 years, though panels in other locations have lasted many years longer.
The local effort for a historic walking tour was spearheaded by Associate Town Planner Megan McLaughlin. She thanked Town Historian Dan Blaney for his assistance in writing the text and “the remarkable group of people” who volunteered countless hours to help create the tour and secure funding.
The Harmon Museum, Edith Belle Libby Memorial Library, the Ocean Park Association and students form Old Orchard Beach High School also helped with researching and finding photos, Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce Director Kim Verreault edited the text and the town public works department installed the signs.
District 31 State Senator Justin Chenette, who also works at the Journal Tribune as a digital advertising executive, praised the community effort to get the history walk together.
“This makes history come alive,” he said.
For more information on the Old Orchard Beach Museum in the Streets, go to www.oobmaine.com/OOBMITS or www.facebook.com/OOBMITS.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].
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