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By LORI DOUGLAS CLARK, Special to the Telegram Sunday, May 25, 2003

For a hands-on look into Maine's past and its rich cultural heritage, consider a drive to Augusta to visit the Maine State Museum and Old Fort Western.

Located in the State House complex, the Maine State Museum offers a fascinating overview of the state's history, culture, geography and industry. At Old Fort Western, on the banks of the Kennebec River, costumed re-enactors give first-hand demonstrations of life during Maine's colonial past.

A visit to these historic sites can be combined with stops at other attractions in Maine's capital city - the State House, Pine Tree State Arboretum, and Kennebec Rail Trail, for instance - for a day trip with something for everyone.

MAINE STATE MUSEUM

The diverse exhibits at the Maine State Museum offer a well-presented history of all that is Maine. Anchored by a water-powered woodworking mill dating from the 1840s, the museum celebrates both the state's natural history and the industries that relied for centuries on its ample natural resources. "This is the only place in Maine where you can get an overview of the state, from the natural environment - featuring a variety of plants and animals in different habitats - to the work Mainers have done in resource-based industries, along with a comprehensive look at the lives of the earliest native Americans," said Jon Bailey, chief educator at the museum.

Bailey added that the "Made in Maine" exhibit is particularly interesting for learning more about the traditional business and industries of Maine. Along with the working mill, authentic scenes of shops, factories and mills make the visitor feel like part of life a century ago.

"The scenes feel like the inhabitants have just stepped out for a minute, and we are observing their lives," Bailey said.

A good place to start at the museum is "12,000 Years in Maine," which focuses on archeology and prehistoric life beginning with the Paleo-Indians. Visitors can see a Paleo-Indian meat cache, artifacts from the Ice Age through the 1800s, and a reconstructed archeological dig.

Other exhibits include "This Land Called Maine," featuring scenes of plants and animals in different settings and an impressive display of Maine gems and minerals; "Maine Bounty: Woods, Sea and Granite," which traces the history of Maine's traditional industries such as agriculture, ice harvesting, granite quarrying, shipbuilding and logging; "Struggle for Identity," a look at the state's political and geographical influences from 1675-1842; and "Reflections of Maine," a dazzling exhibit of decorative and functional glassware made and used in Maine. ("Reflections" is closed for renovations but is expected to reopen in mid-June).

The museum will open its newest exhibition on June 14, Flag Day. A public opening of "To the Highest Standard: Maine's Civil War Flags" will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature ceremonies, food and music in the museum's atrium. These battle flags, which include the Gettysburg flag of the 20th Maine, were previously in the Hall of Flags at the State House.

"Visitors to the museum tell us they come away with a real sense of what Maine is all about, its culture and history," Bailey said. "Native Mainers can connect with their past and take pride in their rich heritage."

OLD FORT WESTERN

Built in 1754 during the French and Indian Wars, Old Fort Western has the distinction of being the country's oldest surviving wooden fort.

The National Historic Landmark is located at the Kennebec River's head of navigation and served as a fortified storehouse for Fort Halifax in Win- slow, 17 miles north. During the Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold used the fort as a staging point for the assault on Quebec.

"The fort is a tangible reminder of the state's French and Indian War days, when the political future of the country was still in doubt," said director Jay Adams.

Although rich in military history, Old Fort Western also served as a focus of commerce. After the colonial wars, former garrison captain James Howard bought the fort and opened the community's first retail store. For the next 50 years, Howard's store was a center of trade between Boston, the West Indies, and the new settlers of the Kennebec Valley.

Visitors to the store can see hundreds of items that were for sale during this time period - farm and forestry tools, bolts of cloth, tableware, casks and barrels.

The Howard family house is also part of the educational experience at Old Fort Western. The house exhibit includes original Windsor chairs and other Howard family furniture. According to Adams, when Old Fort Western opens for the season this weekend, some additional items will be on display, including a 1760s tea set on loan from the Howard family.

"Opening weekend is always special at the fort," Adams said. "It's kind of a homecoming for members, and we also like to show what's new, like the tea set. There will be a military focus, too, with a uniformed company unit on hand to answer questions and fire the fort's cannon."

Other events at Old Fort Western include the Fort to Fort Canoe and Kayak Expedition on June 29 (participants embark from Winslow and paddle the 17 miles of Kennebec River to Old Fort Western) and an old-fashioned Independence Day celebration on the Fourth of July.

Adams said plans are under way for the fort's 250th anniversary in 2004. "We're planning a series of events throughout the year that will celebrate the fort in the community," he said.