{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-reintroduces-bill-to-designate-bradley-museum-as-national-museum-of-forestry-and-logging-history", "Golden reintroduces bill to designate Bradley museum as National Museum of Forestry and Logging History", "2025-03-24", "2025", "2025-03", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Jared F. Golden", "G000592", "golden.house.gov", "golden", "https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2014 Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) on Friday reintroduced his bill to designate Bradley\u2019s Maine Forest and Logging Museum (MFLM), located at the site of Leonard\u2019s Mills along Blackman Stream, as the National Museum of Forestry and Logging History.\n\n\u201cHonoring our heritage isn\u2019t just about reminiscing: It\u2019s about using the knowledge passed down over centuries to inspire future generations,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThe story told at Leonard\u2019s Mills about Maine\u2019s forest products industry is as valuable as it is engaging. It deserves this national recognition for the role it has played, and will continue to play, in connecting the past, present, and future of forestry and logging in our country.\u201d\n\nMFLM was incorporated in 1960 to celebrate Maine\u2019s forest heritage. Originally envisioned to preserve forest industry artifacts and documents, plans evolved into the creation of a living history site complete with working machinery and a community of volunteer reenactors. Today, MFLM owns more than 450 acres around Blackman Stream in Bradley and frequently hosts school groups, visitors and interactive public programs.\n\n\u201cThe Maine Forest and Logging Museum at Leonard\u2019s Mills is more than a museum. It\u2019s a living, breathing experience that fully immerses visitors in one of our state\u2019s richest traditions,\u201d said Mike Wetherbee, president of the Maine Forest and Logging Museum\u2019s board of directors. \u201cWhether it\u2019s inspiring young Mainers with their local heritage or educating people from away on the importance of Maine\u2019s historical forestry and logging industry, everyone who walks these grounds leaves with a greater understanding of what makes our home special. Many thanks to Congressman Golden for working to secure this prestigious status and share Leonard\u2019s Mills with even more people.\u201d\n\nMaine\u2019s forest economy employs more than 14,000 Mainers and generates more than $5 billion in sales. Maine\u2019s 17.7 million acres of forest covers 89% of the state \u2014 the highest percentage in the country.\n\nIndustry leaders praised the bill when Golden introduced it last Congress:\n\n\u201cThe Maine Forest and Logging Museum is so important to Maine's rich history of forestry and logging,\u201d said Shawn Bugbee, Roads and Infrastructure Manager for Seven Islands Land Company. \u201cThrough the preservation and restoration of tools combined with the knowledge the volunteers bring to the Museum, those who visit get an authentic understanding of how forestry and logging was done by our ancestors. One of the most awe-inspiring things I have ever witnessed has been watching the steam powered Lombard Log Hauler operate in person \u2014 and this move will help more people get that same experience.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Maine Forest and Logging Museum is a testament to the resourcefulness and ingenuity of people involved in Maine's rich timber industry,\u201d said Keith Kanoti, forest manager for the University of Maine. \u201cThe combination of working equipment, infrastructure and the natural beauty of the museum grounds site is unsurpassed and truly deserving of national status.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s a strong connection between the forest products industry and our modern society, and the Maine Forest and Logging Museum helps us all celebrate it,\u201d said Joe Phaneuf, executive director and publisher of the Northeastern Loggers Association. \u201cThe story of the forest products is one worth telling, and this national designation will strengthen that mission.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis museum doesn't just honor Maine's past: It stands as a national treasure,\u201d said Breanna Wing, director and producer of Axe Women: The Modern Lumberjill. \u201cAt a time when our landscapes are rapidly developing, the Museum is a haven that keeps important history alive \u2014 teaching future generations about the resilience of our ancestors, whose grit and innovation through harsh winters built for the growth we see today. This national designation will amplify the importance of understanding and protecting the natural world, for both our material and spiritual well-being.\u201d\n\nFull text of Golden\u2019s legislation can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:15:27Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://golden.house.gov/media/press-releases/golden-reintroduces-bill-to-designate-bradley-museum-as-national-museum-of-forestry-and-logging-history"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8568509947508574, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}