Save Maine’s Streamline Moderne Gem: 490 Broadway

Humble beginnings. Lifetimes of service and sacrifice, of selflessness and insights. Hidden treasures obscured by age and misunderstanding. This is the story of a man and a building, both products of the Midcentury era, and how—through strength, providence, tireless work, and stamina against the odds—they are proving dreams can come true. It is the story of a young museum, a 501(c)3, a unique space for those who see the world through a different lens, looking for a permanent place to store, curate, share, display, and expand its one-of-a-kind, priceless collections. It is the story of YOU, and how you can make a difference, a positive impact. It is the chronicle of how you can help make history.

In 1945, on Broadway, in Bangor, Maine, a beautiful Streamline Moderne building was erected. Over the years, it has served in its traditional deco moderne fashion—as a bus terminal and bus garage, and as two stylish 1950s’ car and truck dealerships—then evolving into a dry cleaning and laundry delivery service, a taxi dissemination depot, and a recycling center.

In 2018, on the verge of being demolished to be quite literally replaced with a traffic-clogging car wash, the surrounding neighborhood residents rose up and objected. This hidden architectural gem, studied by the State of Maine Department of Transportation in 2017, was recognized for its “historic significance,” a “gateway to northern tourism,” and was saved—but abandoned for a half-decade—until along came a visionary.

In 1947, two years after this beautiful building was completed, Loren Coleman, the son of a World War II Navy veteran, was born, many miles away in Norfolk, Virginia. In his lifetime, Loren has worked helping families and children as a clinical worker, therapist, and suicide prevention trainer, graduated with undergraduate degrees in anthropology and zoology, obtained a masters degree in psychiatric social work, undertaken doctoral work in social anthropology, fathered three sons, and rescued many animals. Loren has authored and co-authored over 100 books and 8000 articles on the subjects of natural history, cryptozoology, and social sciences, appeared on many television shows, has been featured in documentaries and films, and even written into comic books, such as Swamp Thing and Scooby-Doo. He is well-established as the “20th Century’s modern popularizer of Cryptozoology,” and is one of the current “godfathers of Cryptozoology.” Since the age of 13, Loren, through travel, fieldwork, personal correspondence, dedicated research, and a strong desire to learn—and preserve—as much as possible on the subject of cryptozoology, has been forming a vast and priceless collection of all things mysterious and unexplained, all things written and created about Bigfoot, Yeti, Lake Monsters, Nessies, and other cryptids. Things that may have been cast aside, looked past, ignored, even ridiculed, but are indeed invaluable.

In 2003, the International Cryptozoology Museum was founded—born, as it were, at home. It was in Loren’s home in Portland, Maine. A move in 2009 resulted in expansion to a friendly space behind a bookstore; then, finally, a nonprofit formed. A subsequent relocation around the corner to a small space hidden in an alleyway, and, in 2015-2016, fund-raised & a museum self-built, a jump to a larger, more upscale spot nestled between a brewery and a distillery. These are the locations and iterations of the International Cryptozoology Museum. Yet none of these entirely filled the need to properly and proudly display over 20,000 items (ranging from microscopic artifacts to sculptures over ten feet tall), nor did they provide the autonomy that comes with owning property.

And this is where the above stories wonderfully intersect: the man, Loren, the Streamline Moderne building in Bangor, and an amazing museum in need of a permanent home. All three together, working toward building a future, with the purpose of educating, empowering, employing, emboldening. All are bursting with the potential to push beyond boundaries, to build a community of like-minded people right here in Bangor, on Broadway (coincidentally like P.T. Barnum on NYC’s Broadway).

Bangor itself is a hidden gem of culture, beauty, and unexplored happenings. This is a chance to move well past what would have been torn down and focus on what can be built up.

We can do this! Together, we can restore Bangor‘s rare and unique, historical Streamline Moderne building to its intended and original beauty and glory. Together, we can follow through and bring to fruition the dream of a cryptozoology museum like none other: fun, spacious, organized, and encompassing all facets of cryptozoology, as well as featuring some of Bangor’s mysterious and cultural history. We can ensure a future for the next generation of seekers and wonderers and wanderers and thinkers, a future enriched with the most complete collection and diverse research library on the subject of cryptozoology, and related subjects—as well as local, indigenous, and focused architectural history—in the entire world. Together, we can honor the building itself, a structure that has stood both the test of time and the test of indifference to its architectural significance.

Together, we can build a lasting and legendary legacy that honors Loren Coleman and his cryptozoological forebears, his peers, and the next generations who are currently keeping interest alive, and will carry it boldly into the future.

Please consider donating towards this donation drive. This is, after all, YOUR museum, and the world’s ONLY nonprofit cryptozoology museum. It is a place where minds and temperaments beyond the basic can expand and explore. It is a safe place for all— the skeptics, the true believers, the open-minded, and even the detractors— all are welcome. We welcome you. Help us give you the space to explore.

Please, consider donating towards the renovation, restoration, and establishment of the International Cryptozoology Museum at 490 Broadway, Bangor, Maine. We promise transparency. We promise growth. We promise a safe space for all. We promise to use every donation wisely, to build something like Bangor has never seen.

We promise to build a legend.

Jennifer Coleman

Member, Board of Directors

International Cryptozoology Museum

501(c)3.

To begin the renovations…the 2023 Go Fund Me goal: $237,000.

It has existed for 20 years, houses 20,000 artifacts, and is a fully sanctioned nonprofit.