Since its founding, the Maine Forest & Logging Museum has grown from a vision of a quiet, static museum into a vibrant, hands-on living history village nestled along the historic Blackman Stream. Today, thanks to the passion of our volunteers and the generosity of sponsors, Leonard’s Mills is home to a dynamic collection of working buildings, rare machinery, and unforgettable experiences.
A Living History Village, Built by Community
From the Water-Powered Sawmill to the Covered Bridge, Blacksmith Shop, and Sawyer’s House, our museum village has been shaped by decades of community support. Many of these buildings were built in the 1980s and ’90s and are still maintained today by dedicated volunteers.
Over the years, our collection has expanded to include restored equipment like rotary and shingle mills, a belt-driven Machine Shop, and a rare steam-powered Lombard Log Hauler—all part of Maine’s deep-rooted forest industry heritage. These pieces don’t just sit behind ropes—they run. They move. They make noise and do work. They tell stories.
Why Sponsorship Matters
Maintaining and expanding a museum like ours takes more than labor—it takes lumber, bolts, roofing, and expertise. Sponsorship provides the essential materials and resources needed to:
- Restore and house endangered forest-related artifacts
- Operate and maintain live demonstrations like the Lombard Log Hauler
- Continue building new exhibits that bring the past to life
- Offer high-quality, hands-on learning experiences for school groups and families
Your support helps us preserve not just history, but the skills, tools, and stories that defined Maine’s forest-based economy for generations.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Whether it’s a child watching the waterwheel spin, hearing the whistle of the Lombard, or feeling the heat in the Blacksmith Shop, our living history exhibits create powerful learning moments. These are the kinds of memories that stick—and often bring families back, generation after generation.
With your help, we can:
- Expand programs for school tours and public events
- Build lasting connections between children and Maine’s working past
- Keep traditional skills and trades alive through real, working exhibits
Looking Ahead
Each year we plan for growth—new exhibits, better infrastructure, expanded programming. But to do that, we need a strong and stable base of support. Sponsorship helps us prepare for the future while honoring the past.
Become a Sponsor
Whether you're an individual, business, or organization, your sponsorship directly fuels our mission. Help us continue salvaging disappearing artifacts, restoring Maine’s working history, and inspiring the next generation of makers, workers, and thinkers.
Sponsor Options
Queen City Baron - $2500
Oliver Leonard Club - $1000
Lombard Crew - $750
Sawyer - $500
Teamster - $300
Click on your preferred level of sponsorship below to purchase using PayPal.
Be a Part of Something Rooted
From vintage logging gear to water-powered sawmills, your membership keeps the museum running strong. It's support that goes a long way.
Become a Member