RANGELEY – Orgonon, the Wilhelm Reich Museum, will open for the season on Saturday, July 1.

Orgonon was home of one of the 20th century’s most controversial figures, Austrian born physician-scientist Wilhelm Reich.

Now maintained as the Wilhelm Reich Museum, Orgonon is a historic site and nature preserve comprising 175 acres of fields and woodland, a system of trails, a conference center and the Orgone Energy Observatory.

The Orgone Energy Observatory is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors to the observatory can see a biographical video about Reich. They can then tour the building, view Reich’s scientific inventions and equipment, his study, library, sculptures, paintings and his personal memorabilia.

Children can explore a hands-on discovery room. And the observatory roof provides vistas of the region’s skies, lakes and surrounding countryside.

Reich’s tomb, with its bronze portrait bust, is in a forest clearing nearby. A bookstore/gift shop gives access to all Reich’s published work.

The observatory will be open in July and August from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and September from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays Special tours are available year-round by appointment. Call 864-3443, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.wilhelmreichmuseum.org.