Combined Chamber/Nylander Museum a hit with public

13 years ago
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Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Bill Flagg chats with Nylander Board Member Sandra Huck during the Open House on Nov. 9

By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer

The Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce, now at its new location, sharing space with the Nylander Museum on Main Street was filled with visitors and guests during a Nov. 9 Open House, hosted by Jennie Coon, chamber director and Jeannie McGowen, museum director.

The museum has undergone a number of cosmetic changes in preparation of the combined services and the results are certain to make anyone who hasn’t stepped inside the Nylander Museum since childhood, be pleasantly surprised.

The central area of the building is now home to the chamber office with artifacts and other museum items gracing the rooms in the wings on either side, both of which open into the common office area.

One highlight of the newly redecorated/arranged rooms, is the unique tiles, created in 2003 by teachers, students, residents, visitors and community officials, as part of the community art project “Leave Your Mark on Caribou” made possible by the Watershed Ceramic Center.

“There are just under 1,000 tiles,” stated McGowen, “and we are just so pleased that we can now display them, where everyone can view them.” The tiles have been mounted creatively on the walls and don’t think you will be able to view them all in one visit. Each one is so distinct, some with dates while others have names or initials painted on them.

McGowen commented during the open house event “I’m glad the tiles are here now — in this spot.”

As chamber director Coons has had a busy few months moving from the previous spot in the downtown mall to the Nylander location but stated, “This has definitely been a transition year for the Caribou Chamber of Commerce. It’s been kind of a whirlwind of events but it’s all good. We’ve had terrific support from the community. I love this location and we have had a good deal of positive feedback from visitors. People just don’t know what’s here at the Nylander Museum — combining our sites is a win-win situation.”

Business hours at the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.