After the completion of the Students’ Laboratory in 1945, Wilhelm Reich began planning for the construction of the Orgone Energy Observatory at the top of the hill overlooking Dodge Pond. Built in 1948-1949, the structure served as Reich’s base for research and observation of the natural environment. Largely abandoned during the period of Reich’s imprisonment, the building was reopened to the public as the Wilhelm Reich Museum by then-Trustee of Reich’s estate, Mary Boyd Higgins, in 1960. It has been listed on the National Registry of Historic Places since 1999.
The Museum’s main exhibit hall is located on the first floor. On the second floor, Reich’s study, library and laboratory instruments are preserved as they were in his time. On the top floor there is a room which Reich used as a painting studio (originally intended to house a large telescope), and an observation deck with views in all directions.
In a sense, the term “museum” refers to the entire 175-acre property of Orgonon. Its buildings, meadows, forests, woodland trails and waterfront on Dodge Pond fulfill Reich’s wish “to preserve some of the atmosphere in which the discovery of life energy has taken place over the decades.”
The Orgone Energy Observatory stands at the pinnacle of the property with its sweeping views and deep historical significance.
“During the years following 1949 my life was running its course within and around the walls of the Orgone Energy Observatory. I supervised the building myself for two summers; I paid upwards of $35,000 from my privately earned possessions for the construction.
“I have collected here all the pertinent materials such as instruments which served the discovery of life energy, the documents which were witnesses to the labors of some 30 years and the library of a few thousand volumes, collected painstakingly over the same stretch of time and amply used in my researches and writings, the paintings, some 25 of them, small items which I loved and cherished during my lifetime…All of these things and similar things should remain where they are now in order to preserve some of the atmosphere in which the discovery of the life energy has taken place over the decades.”
Restoration in Progress
In late 2021, the Efroymson Family Fund, at the suggestion of Jeremy Efroymson, made a grant to the Wilhelm Reich Infant Trust in the amount of $250,000 for building repairs and for the historic restoration of the Wilhelm Reich Museum Orgone Energy Observatory building. The Efroymson Family has made several past generous gifts to support the work of the Wilhelm Reich Trust and this specific gift was made in honor of Myron and Giselle Sharaf. The Efroymson Family Fund, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, provides financial support to a diverse range of charitable causes in Indiana and beyond including arts and culture, historic preservation, the natural environment and helping those in need.
The restoration commenced in 2022 with the installation of a new EPDM roof atop the 2nd floor and was followed by the rebuilding of stone retaining walls. In the spring and summer of 2023 a new concrete patio and main stairs were poured. During the summer and fall, restoration carpenter Ian Reinholt of Philips, ME began the reconstruction of the wooden structures on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Rotted framing was replaced and custom built mahogany windows and window frames and a custom built oak door were installed. External surfaces were finished with Eastern White Cedar siding. Damaged interior oak paneling was replaced and wood floor refinished in the room known as the 2nd floor sleeping porch. Leaky 2nd floor terrace was rebuilt and covered with new EPDM rubber roofing. Maine School of Masonry returned in the fall of 2023 to finish pointing, repair concrete window sills and seal aluminum window frames. Vera Johnson of Wilton, ME fabricated and installed main staircase handrails and is currently working on refurbishing and reinstalling the original handrails on the 2nd floor terrace. Work has paused due to the arrival of winter, but a host of finishing touches will be completed in the spring of 2024 at which time the completion of the restoration project will be announced.
