RICHMOND — Join Friends of Merrymeeting Bay for two Swan Island excursions. Each will be led by local historian and President of Friends of Swan Island Jay Robbins. On Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., FOMB offers a tour of the Island by truck with ample time to walk about. On Sunday the group offers a nautical circumnavigation tour of Swan in the IF&W ferry from 3:15-5:30 p.m. There is an $8 island fee to MDIF&W for Friday’s tour and donations are suggested for the circumnavigation. Participants will meet and launch from the Swan Island ferry landing just north of the Richmond Town Landing. Required pre-registration for both of these outings is with Robbins at (207) 737- 2239.
Located in the Kennebec River between Richmond and Dresden, four mile Swan Island is a part of the Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area and 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 settlement on the Island survived 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.
On the tour, you’ll come to know the history of the abandoned community, once known as Perkins Township – and get 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. There are also eight Adirondack style lean-tos on the island available for overnight camping and several trails to hike on.
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