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CARIBOU, Maine — The Nylander Museum of Natural History has canceled activities, tours, visits and guest speaker appearances until at least the beginning of May.
Nylander Museum board member Gail Hagelstein said the museum had been building up a great deal of momentum this year, with a successful Dino Days event that took place during local schools’ February vacation and brought in roughly 350 visitors altogether. The event featured several educational activities focused around dinosaurs and fossils.
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The museum had to cancel an “EarthDaze” week of events centered around Earth Day for April vacation, as well as an April 4 event in which Bill Sheehan was planning to speak on Aroostook birds, informing guests where they can find certain birds, how to identify them and how climate change is affecting the local avian population.
Nylander Museum Board Co-President Travis Michaud said the museum was making big strides before the coronavirus hit Maine and Gov. Janet Mills ordered all non-essential businesses closed to the public. The virus has brought the momentum to a full stop.
Board member Carol Wolfington is reaching out to local teachers who had been visiting with their classes for lessons in hopes of providing activities for students to do from home as many local facilities, such as the school and rec center, are closed for the month.
