Step back in time with Friends of Merrymeeting Bay on their ever-popular historical tour of Swan Island Sunday, Sept. 22 from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Friends member and Friends of Swan Island president, Jay Robbins, will lead the tour to the unique, isolated island nature reserve managed by Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
This event is open to the public. Pre-registration and $8 access fee are required. Attendance is limited. To register, contact Robbins at 737-2239.
Few are more qualified as guide than Robbins who also is president of the Arnold Expedition Historical Society, Stewardship Committee Member and Docent for Pownalborough Court House and tale-teller extraordinaire. The group will reach the island by ferry from the State ferry landing north of the Richmond public boat launch and undertake a truck tour lasting approximately three hours.
There will be plenty of opportunities to get out of the truck, so be sure to wear good walking shoes and bring some drinking water.
Located in the Kennebec River between Richmond and Dresden, the four mile Swan Island is a part of the Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area and is included on the National Register of Historic Places. The island’s name itself is derived from “Swango,” the Abenaki name for “Island of Eagles.” In the late 1800s, a small community on the island earned a living by farming, fishing, lumbering, shipbuilding, brick manufacturing, and ice making.
The island was also reportedly visited by American historical figures Aaron Burr, Benedict Arnold and Colonel Henry Dearborn. The tour will focus on the history of the abandoned island, once known as Perkins Township – and provide an intimate look at several historic houses in varying stages of preservation from 80 years ago when last inhabited. The island is also known for its abundant bald eagles, white-tailed deer and wild turkey.
The Friends of Merrymeeting Bay Summer Outside! Series is the warm weather counterpart to the Friends’ popular Winter Speaker Series. Events are usually free and are open to the public. To receive more information about ongoing programs call Kathleen McGee, Friends of Merrymeeting Bay, at 666-3598 or kathleencmcgee@gmail.com.
The final 2013 Summer Outside! event will takes on Sept. 28. Aptly titled “The World is Going Nuts”, this program features organic grower and nurseryman Andrew Fiore and his foray into the world of hazelnut cultivation. Please pre-register with Fiore at 666-8419 for this program scheduled from 12-2 p.m. Participants are invited to bring a picnic.
Watch the web www.friendsofmerrymeetingbay.org for the upcoming 17th annual Winter Speaker Series schedule beginning Oct. 9 with the Maine premiere of thought-provoking full length film, “Take Back Your Power” released just last week www.takebackyourpower.net.
(Submitted article)
