Eagle Island (Casco Bay, Maine) facts for kids
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Eagle Island
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 Location in Maine
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| Nearest city | Harpswell, Maine |
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| Area | 17 acres (6.9 ha) |
| Built | 1904 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000069 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 23, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | August 25, 2014 |
Eagle Island is a special island in Maine's Casco Bay. It was the summer home of a famous explorer named Admiral Robert Peary (1856–1920). Peary was known for his trips to the North Pole. Today, the island and his home are protected as the Eagle Island State Historic Site, so many people can visit and learn about its history.
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Discovering Eagle Island: A Special Place
Eagle Island became a very important place for Admiral Robert Peary. He bought the island in 1881 for just $200. Later, in 1904, he built his summer house there. His family loved spending their summers on the island.
A Home for an Explorer
Peary's family continued to use the island for many years. In 1967, Peary's children gave the property to the State of Maine. This made sure that the island and its history would be preserved. Eagle Island was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. It was also named a National Historic Landmark in 2014. This means it is a very important historical site in the United States.
Exploring Eagle Island's Nature
Eagle Island is a beautiful 17-acre (6.9 ha) island. It is part of a group of islands called an archipelago in Casco Bay. The island is officially part of Harpswell.
Where is Eagle Island Located?
You can find Eagle Island about 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Portland. It is also about 15 miles (24 km) south of Brunswick. The island is only about 2 miles from the Dolphin Marina. The highest point on the island is about 40 feet (12 m) above the sea.
Unique Island Features
The island is quite rocky, but it has a thin layer of soil on top. The Peary family actually replanted many trees on the island. Because of this, the forest has some types of trees that are not usually found on other islands nearby. There are also trails that let visitors explore most of the island.
Visiting the Island Today
At the northern end of the island, there is an open area shaped like a "Y." This is where the main buildings are located. There is also a small beach with a long wooden pier. This pier was built in 1969. Today, there are three main buildings on the island: the Peary house, a cabin for the caretaker, and a visitor center. The visitor center was built in 2012.
The gardens on the island are also very special. They were planted by Peary's wife, Josephine Diebitsch Peary, his daughter Marie Ahnighito Peary, and his daughter-in-law Inez. Volunteers still help to take care of these beautiful gardens. Each year, about 6,000 people visit Eagle Island.
The Peary Family Home
The Peary House is made of wood and was built in different stages. It started as a simple house in 1904. The first floor had one large living room, and the second floor had three bedrooms.
How the House Grew Over Time
At first, meals were made in the caretaker's house. This was not ideal, so a small kitchen and dining area were added in 1906. A new foundation was also built, raising the house higher. After Admiral Peary retired, he made the house even bigger in 1912–1913. The old kitchen wing was moved, and a new, larger wing was added. This new part had a porch on three sides.
Special Features of the Home
Peary also built two round stone towers, called bastions. These towers helped to hold up the house and protect it from strong storms. One of these bastions was used by Peary to store his collection of artifacts. These were special items he brought back from his many expeditions.
Preserving History for Everyone
After Peary passed away in 1920, his family made only small changes to the house. They gave the property to the state in 1967. The state then built the pier and worked to restore the house. The weather had caused some damage over the years. In 1990, part of the roof caved in, which damaged Peary's study. This part of the house had to be rebuilt. Thanks to these efforts, the house remains a wonderful place to visit and learn about history.
See also
