Rockefeller, founded Maine museum, dead at 99

A wealthy Maine philanthropist who quietly used his access and money to promote social good is being remembered by the region’s largest transportation museum.

James S. Rockefeller Jr., 99, who founded the Owls Head Transportation Museum 50 years ago, died recently at his Camden home.

As the museum celebrates a half-century in operation, it’s honoring Rockefeller, the famous-named New Yorker who’d adopted Maine as his home.

Rockefeller donated his name, time and money to help put the antique-plane-and-car museum near his home on the map.

“Jim’s involvement was very significant during the early years, from procuring the land to interactions with the local community,” said John Bottero, executive director.

Rockefeller was the great-grandnephew of both John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie, iconic names engraved in America’s financial and cultural history

Rockefeller in his memoir described his own life as privileged, in that he was “able to do pretty much whatever I wanted, but hopefully giving back a small part of what I have been given.”

The non-profit museum he originated in Owls Head exhibits historic transportation artifacts, even including bikes and motorcycles.

The majority of the Maine museum’s collection is operational, unlike static displays at many other such museums in the northeast.

The museum offers volunteer opportunities and science, technology, engineering and math-based (STEM) programs to young students at no cost.

In the mid-1970s co-founders Rockefeller, former IBM chief Tom Watson Jr. and Steve Lang together envisioned a working, educational museum.

Rockefeller served as its chairman until 2017 and remained a trustee until his death.

The museum, amid a $12.25 million expansion, will be honoring his memory during a ceremony later this year.