RANGELEY — Orgonon, The Wilhelm Reich Museum, Dodge Pond Road, will open for the season on Friday, July 1. Few places in the world combine the intellectual fascination and raw natural beauty of Orgonon, home of one of the 20th century’s most controversial figures, Austrian born physician-scientist Wilhelm Reich.

Now maintained as The Wilhelm Reich Museum, Orgonon is an historic site and nature preserve comprising 175 acres of fields and woodland, a system of trails, a conference center and the Orgone Energy Observatory.

The Orgone Energy Observatory is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors to the observatory can enjoy a fascinating biographical video about Reich. They then tour the building, view Reich’s scientific inventions and equipment, his study, library, sculptures, vivid paintings and his personal memorabilia. Children can explore a hands-on discovery room. And the observatory roof provides spectacular vistas of the region’s open skies, lakes and surrounding countryside.

Reich’s tomb, with its dramatic bronze portrait bust, is in a forest clearing nearby.

A bookstore/gift shop gives access to all Reich’s published work.

The observatory is open in July and August, from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays in September. Special tours year-round by appointment. For information, call 864-3443, email wreich@rangeley.org or visit www.wilhelmreichtrust.org.

Copy the Story Link