Two well-known figures in the Mt. Blue Regional School District community have agreed to lead a $750,000 capital campaign for construction of the proposed Western Maine Play Museum in Wilton.

Lori Lewis, retired English and American Sign Language teacher of 35 years, and Michael Cormier, retired superintendent, were named co-chairmen of the large capital campaign, according to a release from the museum’s board of directors.

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Retired English and American Sign Language teacher Lori Lewis, left, and former RSU 9 superintendent Michael Cormier will head up the capital campaign for the proposed Western Maine Play Museum in Wilton. The campaign’s goal is $750,000. Contributed photo

Lewis, who holds a master’s degree from the University of Illinois, taught both English and American Sign Language at Mt Blue High School for 35 years. She currently teaches part-time at the University of Maine at Farmington and acts as sign language interpreter for local events such as graduations and story hour at the library.

Cormier spent 42 years in public education, most recently as superintendent of the Mt. Blue Regional School District, RSU 9. After working as a teacher, principal and superintendent of two other districts, Cormier came to Mt. Blue in 1993 and was in charge when Mt. Blue shifted to a regional school unit, including Starks, and when the high school underwent a $64 million renovation. He now teaches part-time in the University of Maine System.

“Cormier and Lewis, both of whom live in Wilton, are ready to include Western Maine Play Museum in the next phase of their careers,” Angela McLeod, who chairs the museum board, said.

The museum has a fundraising goal of three quarters of a million dollars. The funds would be used to create interactive and educational exhibits in a 4,500 square foot property donated to the museum.

The group has established a website which includes a page for donations as well as updates at www.westernmaineplay.org.

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