The Loring Military Heritage Center is a museum that is centrally located on the former Loring AFB. The sole purpose of the museum is to display artifacts, and memories of those that served, worked and lived at Loring AFB.
Loring Military Heritage Center was formed in 2004. A group of locals and Veterans that served at Loring came together to form a group that was interested in displaying items that were once on Loring. The group involved the Loring Development Authority and acquired the former bank on the base. The building had been in use as a beauty salon, at one point. The bank had to be transformed to what it is today.
The members quickly came up with a game plan to knock out the banks drop boxes, and walls. They took out the entry way to make more room and to open the space for displays. We came up with displays, and items to put on the walls. Most of our displays were donated by members, acquired by locals, or donated on behalf of past relatives.
We have a Board of Directors and Officers that oversee all of the events and help to guide our members in decisions that impact the Center. We provide tours both private and open to the public. We have seen many local schools as they discuss the cold war era. It is a great way to show the pride in the military, to show what made this area so great, and to showcase our many Veterans and former Civilian workers who played such a part of Loring.
Our mission is to preserve the history of Loring AFB, and to reinforce the ties of the base to the local community. We have had ties with the Young Marines, Schools, Local Senior groups, Scouts, Civic Groups and local events. We use experience and share stories about significant military history and Aroostook County.Everyone that grew up in this county from the late 40's till it's closing in 1994 had a direct impact of Loring. A large part of the local community worked at Loring, or had a tie to it.
We have played host to many reunions and are in the process of hosting an Open House in 2014.Our Loring Reunites in 2013 joined together 700+ for the weekend and over 150 at the dinner dance held at the former NCO Club. Our plan is to spark an interest in those that have not been back to the former Base, and to increase our outreach to Aroostook County Schools, and community.
With our new building, now connected to the old, we have on display larger artifacts that once were on the flightline, as well as our KC 135 Jet Engine, and a Hound Dog Missile. Further expansion is possible in the future, but for now with all we have done, we welcome everyone to come take a look back into history. Many have traveled from as far away as Alaska and all parts of the country to take a look back at what once was. We hope you will take the opportunity and come see what we have to offer.
If you need a special tour for a larger group please call Cuppy Johndro at 551-3439 or Ray Hildebrand at 896-3052. To gain entry when no one is around, please call Cuppy, Bill Ossenfort at 227-5265 or Matt Cole at 227-1241.
We are located 20 minutes from Presque Isle. On the former Loring AFB.