BRIDGTON — Loon Echo Land Trust has bought and protected 252 acres of forestland surrounding Bridgton Historical Society’s Narramissic Farm in South Bridgton, the trust announced.
A sunset concert with Bruce Marshall will be held at Narramissic Farm at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14. Bring chairs, blankets, and a picnic. There is a suggested donation of $10 a person with proceeds to benefit Peabody-Fitch Woods and the Bridgton Historical Society.
“We received incredible support from the community for this conservation project,” said Matt Markot, LELT executive director. “The site of a once prosperous and well known family farm in South Bridgton, this land has great cultural, historical and ecological significance. We’ve chosen to call this land ‘Peabody-Fitch Woods’ in honor of the families who settled and farmed here. Now protected, this land will continue to benefit our community forever.”
The forest was originally part of the historic Peabody-Fitch Farm (now Narramissic), which was established in 1797, three years after Bridgton was incorporated. The farm buildings and fields were left to Bridgton Historical Society in 1986 by Margaret Monroe, who bought the property in 1938.
Monroe’s daughter, Margaret Normann, spent many of her summers at Narramissic and owned the 252 forested acres surrounding the farmstead. She died June 11.
“Loon Echo’s permanent conservation of this land is a fitting tribute to her love for the farm that she knew for so much of her life,” said the Bridgton Historical Society.
Ned Allen, executive director of the historical society, noted the significance of conserving the land surrounding the farmstead. “One of the most important components of Narramissic’s historic significance is its isolation from contemporary architectural and landscape features,” he said.
Under LELT’s ownership and management, Peabody-Fitch Woods will never be developed, but the property will remain on the municipal tax roll. LELT’s acquisition of the land also secures public access for recreational opportunities including hunting, walking, and nature observation. LELT will enhance the existing pedestrian trails located on the property and has engaged local clubs to ensure that a snowmobile and ATV corridor on the property remains accessible.
LELT has plans to build a universal access trail that will provide glimpses into the farm’s agricultural past and vistas of westerly mountains. Signs along the universal access trail will provide insight into the Peabody and Fitch families’ pioneering efforts.
“The Peabody, Fitch, Monroe and Normann families left an amazing legacy,” said Jon Evans, LELT stewardship manager and a South Bridgton resident. “We [LELT] are proud to now have the responsibility of protecting and managing this land forever.”
Peabody-Fitch Woods will also support a variety of cultural, educational and recreational activity. LELT and the Bridgton Historical Society are planning collaborative events that will take advantage of access to the farm and the woods.
The conservation of Peabody-Fitch Woods increases forest connectivity, provides valuable wildlife habitat, and aids in the protection of the Sebago Lake watershed. Because 75 percent of the forest is within the Sebago Lake Watershed, Portland Water District made a significant contribution to the project. “With the forest acting as a natural filter for water, permanently protecting forested areas in the Sebago Lake watershed is critical,” said Portland Water District Environmental Manager Paul Hunt.
LELT got support from community members and The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, Kendal C. and Anna Ham Charitable Foundation, Fields Pond Foundation, Davis Conservation Foundation, Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust and an anonymous family foundation and Sebago Clean Waters.
More information about Peabody-Fitch Woods can be found at www.lelt.org/pfw.
