This event is open to the public. Pre-registration and $8.00 access fee are required. Attendance is limited. To register, contact trip leader Jay Robbins at 737-2239.
Step back in time with Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB) on their ever-popular historical tour of Swan Island Saturday, July 16th from 10:00 am- 12:00 pm. FOMB member and Friends of Swan Island president, Jay Robbins, will lead the tour to this unique, isolated island- nature reserve managed by Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The group will reach the island by ferry from Richmond for a truck tour lasting approximately two 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. On the tour, you’ll come to know the history of the abandoned island, once known as Perkins Township - and get an intimate look at several historic houses in varying stages of preservation from eighty years ago when last inhabited. The island is also known for its abundant bald eagles, white-tailed deer and wild turkey.

The FOMB Summer Outside! Series is the warm weather counterpart to FOMB’s popular Winter Speaker Series. Events are usually free and are open to the public. To receive more information about FOMB’s programs call Jim Mason, Executive Coordinator, Friends of Merrymeeting Bay, at 619-1945 or jmason@fomb.org. The next Summer Outside! 2011 event will take place on July 23, 2011 when FOMB hosts Leg 4 of the Cathance River Kayak Series – a paddle down the Cathance River from Bowdoinham out onto Merrymeeting Bay. Participants must bring their own boat and pre-register with Michelle Moody at 319-7355.