Digging up Our Past

Not only are the Trust properties beautiful, places for wildlife habitat and public recreation, they are also historical. For at least 2000 years native Americans came to our shores to fish and hunt. It was on the islands of Cape Porpus that the first European settlers made their homes. They cured the fish they caught on "stages", from which Stage Island derives its name. A fort once existed on the end of the island, a place of refuge in times of danger. In 1690, it was there that the townspeople retreated to and it was from there that they were evacuated in a daring rescue. The town remained depopulated for nearly a decade. Upon their return, homes and mills began to spring up along our waterways. The Trust now owns many of these properties. Now, in partnership with the Maine State Museum, the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust is committed to finding out more about the history of its land through archaeological digs. Already several native American artifacts have been discovered, as well as traces to our 17th century forefathers. Over time, our goal is to fill in the gap of knowledge about those who came before us. We want to know where they lived, how they lived and what life was like in this place we now call home. Many fascinating discoveries await us and we look forward to the adventure of the search.