Pending Permits, Bangor’s Cryptozoology Museum Aims For April Opening Date

In October of 2022, it was announced that Bangor would be the new base for Maine's International Cryptozoology Museum.

Museum Director, Loren Coleman, has been running the museum in the Portland area for 23 years, most recently in a location at Thompson's Point.

According to the International Cryptozoology Museum website:

"Cryptozoology is the study of hidden or unknown animals, and you have discovered the world’s only cryptozoology museum. We have a wide range of exhibitions from rare, one-of-a-kind scientific, zoological specimens to popular cultural homages to the relevant anthropological and psychological acknowledgements of the sightings and folk traditions to be found within hominology and cryptozoology. As part of our scientific and education mission, we preserve native art and contemporary souvenirs."

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Coleman has planned to move to the Bangor area, so he started to set his sights on the Queen City. In April of 2022, he opened the International Cryptozoology Museum-Bangor Store at 585 Hammond St.

Coleman eventually purchased the building at 490 Broadway in Bangor, the former location of the Bangor Redemption Center, later that year, with the hopes of moving the entire Portland cryptozoology museum north and opening in 2024.

But some hiccups with renovations to the historic building from the 1940s, namely the replacement of an aging furnace, pushed back that timeline by over a year.

It would appear, barring any major issues moving forward, 2026 may be the year we finally see the museum open.

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Just after New Year's, the Portland location posted a change to their hours of operation for the months of January and February. And while it's said they'll be open the week of February vacation, after that, exhibits will start to be packed up and moved to the new facility.

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Coleman issued the update on the Museum's Facebook Page earlier this month.

"We will have weekend hours open the first two weeks of March 2026. We shall be closing to visitors as of March 13, 2026. Our Portland Museum closes permanently on March 31, 2026. The Museum will reopen in Bangor, Maine, at 490 Broadway In April, permits permitting."

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"Coleman says they have big things planned for an official opening once the time comes. And there's also a Cryptozoology Festival being organized for the fall of 2026.

We'll keep you updated on when that official opening will be once a date is announced.