 Most Endangered |
2001 Maine's Most Endangered Historic Properties Learn about Maine's Most Endangered Historic Properties success stories! This year's Saved! properties: Underwood Cannery and Bond Street Neighborhood Swan Island National Historic District, Richmond
Endangered. Lying at the head of Merrymeeting Bay in the Kennebec River between Richmond and Dresden, the Swan Island National Historic District is four miles long and approximately ½ mile wide. Owned by the State of Maine and managed by Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Swan Island has long been the concern of preservationists who have watched the small collection of 18th and 19th century agrarian homesteads deteriorate. The future of this historic cultural landscape has been a concern to Maine Preservation for many years, and the nomination of Swan Island to this year's Most Endangered list came from the Board of Trustees. All told, the National Historic District includes eight historic buildings, 20 former house sites, one landscape, 20 stone walls, and 20 historical archaeological sites including those associated with the ice industry. There are also several known prehistoric archaeological sites. Maine Preservation and the National Trust for Historic Preservation contributed funding for emergency stabilization of the Matthew Tarr house. Maine Preservation's contribution came from our Preserve Maine Fund. The challenge has been how to effectively steward both the natural and manmade resources on the island given IF&W's limited budget and principal mission of waterfowl management. To their credit, IF&W and Bruce Trembly, President of the Dresden Historical Society and initiator of the new Friends of Swan Island coalition, have enthusiastically welcomed Maine Preservation's help to address the historic preservation issues. They recognize fully the trio of values of this unique island landscape as a National Historic District, Wildlife Management Area and game preserve, and were looking for partners to assist them. History Abenaki Indians inhabited the Merrymeeting Bay area and "Swango" (Island of Eagles), now known as Swan Island. The first recorded visit of European-American settlers came in 1607 when members of the Popham Colony stopped here; a second visit occurred in 1614 when Captain John Smith visited Kennebec Indians on the island. In 1667, Christopher Lawson purchased the island in from Chief Abbagadasett, but it wasn't until 1730 when the first colonists homesteaded here. The island was then part of Dresden. The oldest remaining structure on the island is the c.1756-63 Gardiner-Dumaresq two-story salt box; the next oldest is the Federal-style Tubbs-Reed House, c.1800. (It is reported that in 1775 on their way up the Kennebec to Quebec City, Benedict Arnold, Aaron Burr and Henry Dearborn spent one night in the Dumaresq house.) During the first half of the 19th century, the island population increased; occupations were farming, lumbering, fishing, shipbuilding and ice cutting. In 1847, Swan Island separated from the Town of Dresden and became incorporated as the town of Perkins. The 1860 census recorded 95 residents. But by 1918, with the advent of modern refrigeration that rapidly brought ice cutting to an end, the island population had decreased to a point where the Town of Perkins became Perkins Plantation. In 1936, the Richmond-Swan Island-Dresden ferry service closed and the remaining residents left their island homes. With Federal funds, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife of the State of Maine began buying the farms on the island in the 1940s and 50s. IF&W has managed the island since that time. Some stabilization work occurred in the 1960s to a few of the buildings, and students from the local high school have recently adopted the Tarr House for a stabilization/restoration project. Yet others are in very deteriorated condition yet could be made weatherproof while a preservation and interpretive master plan is being developed. All told, the National Historic District includes eight historic buildings, 20 former house sites, one landscape, 20 stone walls, and 20 historical archaeological sites including those associated with the ice industry. There are also several known prehistoric archaeological sites. How to get involved In addition to charitable gifts, which are needed in any size, volunteers are also needed. Mail your tax-deductible donation to Swan Island Fund, c/o Dresden Historical Society, P.O. Box 201, Dresden, ME 04342 or phone Bruce Trembly at (207) 737-4352 .
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"Each year, significant historic buildings and sites across Maine succumb to deterioration, disuse and demolition. Historic neighborhood schools are closed and abandoned while new, expensive schools are being built, stretching local tax dollars. Community character is being lost while bulldozers level historic buildings for expensive redevelopment. In order to help raise citizen awareness and demonstrate by example, Maine Preservation selects threatened historic structures and sites worth saving or worth recycling with a new, adaptive use. Our goal is to keep community buildings preserved and occupied - and out of the landfill or salvage yard. We are joined by citizens statewide in calling for an increased appreciation of our historic built environment – our irreplaceable community landmarks that deserve a better future," stated Roxanne Eflin, former Maine Preservation Executive Director.
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