CARIBOU, Maine — The City of Caribou officially proclaimed Olof Nylander and Nylander Museum Day for Sunday, May 28, in recognition of the city’s museum and the life of its namesake.
Nelson Ketch, a descendant of Olof Nylander read the official proclamation during a May 8 City Council meeting, which described the life and impact of Nylander and the museum.
“Olof Nylander was a naturalist, collector, and amateur scientist and his life’s work advanced the knowledge of northern Maine geology,” Ketch read, adding that Nylander’s work was published in various scientific journals and that he wrote “numerous pamphlets about the conchology, botany, geology, and paleontology of Aroostook County.”
According to the proclamation, Nylander “served as a resource for area school teachers and their classes until his death in 1943,” and his “legacy continues as a resource for Aroostook County within the Nylander Museum of Natural History,” located at 657 Main Street in Caribou.
The councilors and others present applauded after Ketch read the proclamation, and Mayor Gary Aiken asked about the museum’s current hours.
“We’re open year-round on Sundays from 1 to 3,” Ketch said, “and Memorial Day is our grand opening for the year.”
Nylander board member Debbie Nichols added that the museum directors plan on making regular appearances during the city’s Thursdays on Sweden event, and that the museum also is open by appointment for occasions such as school field trips.
Ketch said he and the museum board are looking for volunteers to potentially help open the museum on Saturdays.
“Thank you very much,” Aiken said, “and for anybody who hasn’t been to the Nylander lately, there have been some recent changes. The trip is certainly worthwhile.”
