OWLS HEAD -- To celebrate the history of transportation, the Owls Head Transportation Museum will be bringing its collection to life on August 2-3. "History in Motion" will showcase and demonstrate some of the unique pieces in the Museum's collection of operating antique automobiles, aircraft, engines, motorcycles, bicycles and carriages.

Staff and volunteers will be dressed in period clothing, and free Model T Ford rides will be given each day. Museum tours and films in the auditorium will also be available. "We'll demonstrate some of the unusual pieces in the collection and give visitors the opportunity to ask questions about them," says Museum Director Charles Chiarchiaro. "It will be fun and educational for all ages."

One of the automobiles that will be demonstrated is the 1898 Leon Bollee Tricar, which is the oldest, original operating vehicle in the Museum's Collection. A Bollee Tricar once held the race speed record - of 25 mph! Another interesting vehicle being demonstrated is the 1902 Curved Dash Olds, which is considered by most experts to be the first mass-produced automobile, starting in 1901. In 1903, one traveled from San Francisco, CA to Portland, ME. to deliver mail. This vehicle also represents the transition from the horse and buggy to the 1-cylinder gasoline powered engine. The 1914 Woods Electric is another interesting vehicle being demonstrated. "People think electric cars are new, but 100 years ago, electric and steam cars actually outnumbered gasoline-powered cars," says Museum Education Director Ethan Yankura. "Electric car technology is nothing new-it's only how we store and transfer electric energy that has changed."

Aircraft being demonstrated (weather permitting) include the 1916 Sopwith Pup, which is powered by an original WWI vintage rotary engine that spins with the propeller. In 1917, the Pup made history by being the first aircraft ever to take off from a moving ship. Another interesting plane being demonstrated is the 1923 Fokker C.IV - the "Tacoma to Tokyo" aircraft which has a restored passenger compartment, complete with original wicker chairs. This plane shows what it was like to fly a commercial airline in the 1920s when a flight from New York to Los Angeles took 18.5 hours, at speeds of less than 140 mph.

Other vehicles that will be demonstrated throughout the two days are: 1907 Cadillac; 1908 Sears; 1909 Overland; 1914 Woods Electric and the 1963 Ford Mustang concept car. Aircraft to be demonstrated include: 1910 Farman; 1912 Curtis Pusher; 1917 Nieuport; and 1917 Spad.

To make it easy for visitors to the Maine Lobster Festival to visit the Museum and see the demonstrations, a free shuttle van will run from 10 to 3 pm, departing from in front of the Maine Lighthouse Museum/Pen Bay Chamber of Commerce Building on Park St. at the top of each hour and returning from the Museum every half-hour. The complimentary shuttle is being provided by Needful Things & Services.

For more information, call the Museum at 594-4418, or visit www.owlshead.org

This 1927 Fokker C.IV will be one of the featured planes demonstrated during the Owls Head Transportation Museum's History in Motion event August 2-3.

This 1898 Leon Bollee Tricar is he oldest operating vehicle in the Museum's collection. It will be demonstrated during the Owls Head Transportation Museum's History in Motion weekend August 2-3.