Langlais Sculpture Preserve, Cushing

Nature preserves that include sculpture gardens are wonderful but uncommon (unfortunately). Langlais Preserve is small but enchanting. (For another art preserve, check out Viles Arboretum in Augusta.) The preserve features the works of artist Bernard Langlais, who not only sculpted, but also painted. If you go during opening hours, you can wander into the barn in which he worked to see some of his smaller wooden pieces, and also into his old home, where you can check out a few of his paintings. He worked tirelessly, I gather, in the 11 years he lived in Cushing. He died when he was 56, and his wife helped to preserve his home and works.

There is a .25-mile, gravel, wheelchair friendly path around the outdoor pieces, and another short but not wheelchair-accessible blue-blazed trail that goes through the woods.

More of Langlais’s sculptures are dispersed at preserves and parks throughout the state. You can see a map of them here.

Directions: The address of the home and preserve is 576 River Rd, Cushing, ME