Legacy of Learning and Exploration: Owls Head Museum Co-Founder James Rockefeller Dies at 99

Owls Head Transportation Museum Co-Founder James Rockefeller Dies at 99

James Rockefeller, a co-founder of the Owls Head Transportation Museum and member of the renowned Rockefeller family, passed away at his home in Camden on Jan. 8, just a day after celebrating his 99th birthday.

A Legacy of Learning and Exploration

Born in Manhattan in 1926 and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, Rockefeller served in the Army Air Corps during World War II before graduating from Yale University. Following his service, he embarked on global adventures, including navigating France’s canals and rivers in a Viking boat, before settling in Camden.

In 1974, Rockefeller co-founded the Owls Head Transportation Museum with Steve Lang and Tom Watson Jr., inspired by a mutual passion for aviation. The museum, now home to over 150 vehicles and tens of thousands of artifacts, has become a hub for enthusiasts curious about the mechanics of transportation.

“It’s really a community hub for anybody who likes rolling up their sleeves and satisfying that curiosity of how things work,” said John Bottero, the museum’s current executive director.

A Life of Craftsmanship and Innovation

Rockefeller was not only a pilot and adventurer but also a skilled boatbuilder. For over 20 years, he worked at Bald Mountain Boat Works in Camden, where he built and restored vintage boats, cars, and airplanes. His deep love for engines and vehicles is reflected in the museum’s mission to preserve and educate future generations about transportation history and technology.

The museum, which started as a way to fly old airplanes, has grown significantly and is currently undergoing an expansion aimed at fostering education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Remembering a Visionary

“He obviously was a first-class human being,” Bottero remarked, emphasizing Rockefeller’s enduring contributions to the museum and his community.

Rockefeller’s vision and passion continue to shape the Owls Head Transportation Museum, ensuring his legacy of learning and exploration lives on.

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