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Wilhelm Reich: Cloudbuster.

Wilhelm Reich Museum: Cloudbusters!

Field review by the editors.

Rangeley, Maine

Wilhelm Reich (1897-1957) was either a brilliant visionary or a dangerous crackpot.

The controversial inventor/psychoanalyst moved from New York City to an old farm in Rangeley in 1942, and named the place "Orgonon." He began experiments with an invention of his -- Cloudbusters -- that were supposed to suck what he called "Orgone Energy" from the sky. In 1953 he used his Cloudbusters to make it rain; some said that he saved the Maine blueberry crop. But the FDA wasn't impressed, condemned his inventions as frauds, and threw Reich into prison, where he died.

Reich's fans have preserved Orgonon as a museum of his work. Visitors can watch a film, "Man's Right to Know;" see Reich's personal items, paintings, and mysterious lab equipment; and study several of his actual surviving Cloudbusters, one of which stands ready to disrupt the atmosphere over his outdoor forest tomb.

The museum bookstore sells all of Reich's published works, even the ones that the FDA ordered to be burned.

Cloudbuster.

Also see: Tesla, Everyone's Favorite Mad Scientist

Wilhelm Reich Museum: Cloudbusters!

Orgonon: Orgone Energy Observatory and Museum

Address:
Dodge Pond Rd, Rangeley, ME
Directions:
Orgonon: Orgone Energy Observatory and Museum. From downtown Rangeley drive east on Hwy 4 for about four miles. Turn right onto Dodge Pond Rd. Drive a half-mile. Entrance on left.
Hours:
Only July-Sep. W, Th, Sa 1-4 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
207-864-3443
Admission:
Adults $10.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Muffler Man - Paul BunyanMuffler Man - Paul Bunyan, Rumford, ME - 31 mi.
Babe the Blue OxBabe the Blue Ox, Rumford, ME - 31 mi.
World's Largest TelephoneWorld's Largest Telephone, Bryant Pond, ME - 42 mi.
In the region:
Santa's Village, Jefferson, NH - 54 mi.

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