Place-based historian Jay Robbins, of Richmond, will share gleanings from more than 35 years of research concerning Swan Island, that 4-mile by ¾-mile island located in the Kennebec River between Richmond and Dresden at the head of Merrymeeting Bay during the next Kennebec Historical Society program, according to a news release from the society. The program is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Augusta City Center, 16 Cony St., Augusta.
Once a Native American stronghold, the Island appears on every early map of Maine from the time of first European contacts. Soon it was resettled by these New Peoples. Robbins will explore the 17th and 18th century history of Swan Island including a close look at the Noble/Whidden “Massacre” of 1750. Those who attend can see how the Pejepscot and Kennebec proprietors finally settled their competing claims for ownership, and how the Island later became a summer “resort,” and more. The Gardiner/Dumaresq house (c. 1763) is perhaps the oldest surviving house in New England built specifically as a summer home, according to the release.
He also will discuss state and volunteer group efforts to save the remaining historic buildings and to keep the agrarian landscape of this National Register of Historic Places site open to the public. Now known as the Steve Powell Wildlife Management Area, tours are offered, as well as camping opportunities.
For more information, call 622-7718.
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