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Mackworth Island: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 43°41′24″N 70°14′06″W / 43.690127°N 70.234947°W / 43.690127; -70.234947
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{{Short description|State park in Cumberland County, Maine}}
[[Image:Mackworth Island Aerial.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Aerial view of Mackworth Island Sate Park]]
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox protected area
'''Mackworth Island State Park''' is an approximately {{convert|100|acre|adj=on}} [[island]] in [[Falmouth, Maine]], USA, adjacent to its border with [[Portland, Maine]]. In 1631, Sir [[Ferdinando Gorges]] gave the island to Arthur Mackworth, his deputy in [[Casco Bay]], and the island has retained his name.<ref name="MAGDE">{{cite book |last= Maine League of Historical Societies and Museums |editor=Doris A. Isaacson |title=Maine: A Guide ‘Down East’ |year=1970 |publisher=Courier-Gazette, Inc. |location=Rockland, Me | page = 425 }}</ref> There is a [[causeway]] connecting the island to the mainland in Falmouth. Visitors to the island must pass a State park entrance tollhouse and pay an entrance fee; cars can enter the island but parking is limited. There is a footpath around the perimeter of the island with views of Falmouth, Portland, and other islands surrounding the bay. The island is heavily wooded. One portion of the woods is dedicated to “Fairy Houses” which are constructed by visitors using natural materials found on the island. <ref> https://www.fairyhouses.com/news/mackworth-island-permanent-fairy-houses-village/ </ref> Mackworth Island has a beautiful rocky shore and offers ample opportunities for surf fisherman of Bluefish and Stripers.<ref name="portlandphoenix.com">[http://www.portlandphoenix.com/features/top/ts_multi/documents/03885662.asp Features | Why I hate Mackworth Island<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505055747/http://portlandphoenix.com/features/top/ts_multi/documents/03885662.asp |date=2006-05-05 }}</ref>
| name = Mackworth Island State Park
There is a nominal 3 dollar entrance fee per person.
| photo = Mackworth Island Aerial.jpg
| photo_caption = Aerial view of Mackworth Island
| map = USA Maine
| map_size = 280
| map_caption = Location in Maine
| relief = 1
| location = [[Falmouth, Maine]], [[United States]]
| coordinates = {{coord|43.690127|N|70.234947|W|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref = <ref name=dacf/>
| area_acre = 100
| area_ref = <ref name=dacf2/>
| elevation =
| designation =
| established =
| named_for =
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| visitation_ref =
| administrator = Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
| website = [https://www.maine.gov/mackworthisland Mackworth Island State Park]
| embedded =
}}
'''Mackworth Island''' is an approximately {{convert|100|acre|adj=on}} [[island]] in [[Casco Bay]], [[Maine]], United States. Politically, it is part of the town of [[Falmouth, Maine|Falmouth]], which is adjacent to [[Portland, Maine|Portland]]. In 1631, Sir [[Ferdinando Gorges]], who first attempted to colonize Maine, gifted the island to Arthur Mackworth, his deputy in Casco Bay, and the island has retained his name.<ref name="MAGDE">{{cite book |last= Maine League of Historical Societies and Museums |editor=Doris A. Isaacson |title=Maine: A Guide 'Down East' |year=1970 |publisher=Courier-Gazette, Inc. |location=Rockland, Me | page = 425 }}</ref> A [[causeway]], which carries the traffic of Andrews Avenue, connects the island to [[Mackworth Point]] on the mainland. Visitors to the island must pass a state park entrance tollhouse and pay an entrance fee; cars can enter the island, but parking is limited. There is a footpath around the perimeter of the island with views of Falmouth, Portland, and other islands surrounding the bay. The island is heavily wooded and one portion of those woods is dedicated to "[[Fairy houses|Fairy Houses]]" which are constructed by visitors using natural materials found on the island.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fairyhouses.com/news/mackworth-island-permanent-fairy-houses-village/ |title=Mackworth Island permanent Fairy Houses Village! {{!}} Fairy Houses |website=www.fairyhouses.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509053052/http://www.fairyhouses.com/news/mackworth-island-permanent-fairy-houses-village/ |archive-date=2011-05-09}}</ref>
Although most areas of the island are State Park lands, there is a school area that is not open to the public. The island is also home to the Governor Baxter Dog Memorial, a pet cemetery where fourteen of the former governor's Irish Setters and one of his horses were laid to rest, accompanied by two bronze markers and a gravestone, all enclosed by a circular stone wall.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wjbq.com/pet-cemetery-on-mackworth-island-is-creepy-and-sweet/ |title=Pet Cemetery on Mackworth Island Is Creepy and Sweet |last=Voornas |first=Lori |date=28 October 2019 |website=WJBQ.com |access-date=27 July 2020 |quote=But Governor Percival Proctor Baxter (1921-1925) was not only a lover of dogs, but a breeder of Irish Setters. He had all of his dogs (14) and even his horse buried on Mackworth Island.}}</ref>
Although most areas of the island are State Park lands, there is a school area that is not open to the public. The island is also home to the Governor Baxter Dog Memorial, a pet cemetery where fourteen of the former governor's Irish Setters and one of his horses were laid to rest, accompanied by two bronze markers and a gravestone, all enclosed by a circular stone wall.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wjbq.com/pet-cemetery-on-mackworth-island-is-creepy-and-sweet/ |title=Pet Cemetery on Mackworth Island Is Creepy and Sweet |last=Voornas |first=Lori |date=28 October 2019 |website=WJBQ.com |access-date=27 July 2020 |quote=But Governor Percival Proctor Baxter (1921-1925) was not only a lover of dogs, but a breeder of Irish Setters. He had all of his dogs (14) and even his horse buried on Mackworth Island.}}</ref>


== Governor Baxter School for The Deaf ==
== Governor Baxter School for the Deaf ==
{{main|Governor Baxter School for the Deaf}}

In 1943, Maine's governor [[Percival P. Baxter]] deeded the island and causeway, including his summer home, to the State of Maine. In 1957, the state created the Governor Baxter School for The Deaf (formerly known as the Maine School for The Deaf) on the island.<ref>Gannon, Jack. 1981. ''Deaf Heritage–A Narrative History of Deaf America'', Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf, p. 45 ([http://saveourdeafschools.org/Deaf_Heritage_by_Jack_Gannon_page_45.pdf PDF] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328140729/http://saveourdeafschools.org/Deaf_Heritage_by_Jack_Gannon_page_45.pdf |date=2012-03-28 }})</ref> The school is infamous for a sexual abuse scandal which became public in 1981 and involved the school's principal and superintendent.<ref name="portlandphoenix.com"/>
In 1943, Maine's governor [[Percival P. Baxter]] deeded the island and causeway, including his summer home, to the State of Maine. In 1957, the state created the Governor Baxter School for The Deaf (formerly known as the Maine School for The Deaf) on the island.<ref>Gannon, Jack. 1981. ''Deaf Heritage–A Narrative History of Deaf America'', Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf, p. 45 ([http://saveourdeafschools.org/Deaf_Heritage_by_Jack_Gannon_page_45.pdf PDF] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328140729/http://saveourdeafschools.org/Deaf_Heritage_by_Jack_Gannon_page_45.pdf |date=2012-03-28 }})</ref> The school is infamous for a sexual abuse scandal which became public in 1981 and involved the school's principal and superintendent.<ref name="portlandphoenix.com">[http://www.portlandphoenix.com/features/top/ts_multi/documents/03885662.asp Features | Why I hate Mackworth Island<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505055747/http://portlandphoenix.com/features/top/ts_multi/documents/03885662.asp|date=2006-05-05}}</ref>
There is currently still a school operating at this site.
There is currently still a school operating at this site.


== Friends School of Portland ==
== Friends School of Portland ==
[[Friends School of Portland]], an independent Quaker preschool through eighth grade school, was located on Mackworth Island from 2006 to 2015, when it moved to new facility in nearby [[Cumberland, Maine]].<ref name="FSP To Stay On Mackworth Until July 2015">{{cite web |title=FSP To Stay On Mackworth Until July 2015 |url=http://friendsschoolofportland.org/fsp-stay-mackworth-until-july-2015 |website=Friends School of Portland |access-date=22 November 2018}}</ref>

[[Friends School of Portland]], an independent Quaker preschool through eighth grade school, was founded in 2006 and was located on Mackworth Island until 2015, when it moved to new facility in nearby [[Cumberland, Maine]]. <ref name="FSP To Stay On Mackworth Until July 2015">{{cite web |title=FSP To Stay On Mackworth Until July 2015 |url=http://friendsschoolofportland.org/fsp-stay-mackworth-until-july-2015 |website=Friends School of Portland |accessdate=22 November 2018}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=dacf>{{cite web |url=https://www.maine.gov/mackworthisland |title=Mackworth Island State Park |publisher=Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry |accessdate=February 25, 2023}}</ref>
*Soares, Liz. ''All for Maine: The Story of Governor Percival P. Baxter''. Windswept House Publishers (1996). {{ISBN|1-883650-17-8}}

<ref name=dacf2>{{cite web |url=http://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/camping/pdf/outdoorsmini.pdf |title=State Parks, State Historic Sites and Public Reserved Lands |publisher=Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry |date=September 2016 |accessdate=February 25, 2023}}</ref>
}}

==Bibliography==
* Soares, Liz. ''All for Maine: The Story of Governor Percival P. Baxter''. Windswept House Publishers (1996). {{ISBN|1-883650-17-8}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [https://www.maine.gov/mackworthisland Mackworth Island State Park] Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
* [http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/search_name.pl?state_park=&historic_site=&public_reserved_land=57&shared_use_trails=&option=search Mackworth Island] Maine Office of Tourism


{{Portland, Maine}}
{{Casco Bay}}
{{Casco Bay}}
{{Islands of Maine}}{{Protected areas of Maine}}
{{coord|43|41|20.8|N|70|13|53.2|W |region:US-ME_type:isle |display=title}}

[[Category:Islands of Portland, Maine]]
[[Category:Falmouth, Maine]]
[[Category:Falmouth, Maine]]
[[Category:Islands of Casco Bay]]
[[Category:Islands of Casco Bay]]
[[Category:State parks of Maine]]
[[Category:State parks of Maine]]
[[Category:Parks in Cumberland County, Maine]]

[[Category:Baxter family]]

{{maine-geo-stub}}

Latest revision as of 00:58, 10 November 2024

Mackworth Island State Park
Aerial view of Mackworth Island
Map showing the location of Mackworth Island State Park
Map showing the location of Mackworth Island State Park
Location in Maine
LocationFalmouth, Maine, United States
Coordinates43°41′24″N 70°14′06″W / 43.690127°N 70.234947°W / 43.690127; -70.234947[1]
Area100 acres (40 ha)[2]
AdministratorMaine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
WebsiteMackworth Island State Park

Mackworth Island is an approximately 100-acre (40 ha) island in Casco Bay, Maine, United States. Politically, it is part of the town of Falmouth, which is adjacent to Portland. In 1631, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, who first attempted to colonize Maine, gifted the island to Arthur Mackworth, his deputy in Casco Bay, and the island has retained his name.[3] A causeway, which carries the traffic of Andrews Avenue, connects the island to Mackworth Point on the mainland. Visitors to the island must pass a state park entrance tollhouse and pay an entrance fee; cars can enter the island, but parking is limited. There is a footpath around the perimeter of the island with views of Falmouth, Portland, and other islands surrounding the bay. The island is heavily wooded and one portion of those woods is dedicated to "Fairy Houses" which are constructed by visitors using natural materials found on the island.[4] Although most areas of the island are State Park lands, there is a school area that is not open to the public. The island is also home to the Governor Baxter Dog Memorial, a pet cemetery where fourteen of the former governor's Irish Setters and one of his horses were laid to rest, accompanied by two bronze markers and a gravestone, all enclosed by a circular stone wall.[5]

Governor Baxter School for the Deaf

[edit]

In 1943, Maine's governor Percival P. Baxter deeded the island and causeway, including his summer home, to the State of Maine. In 1957, the state created the Governor Baxter School for The Deaf (formerly known as the Maine School for The Deaf) on the island.[6] The school is infamous for a sexual abuse scandal which became public in 1981 and involved the school's principal and superintendent.[7] There is currently still a school operating at this site.

Friends School of Portland

[edit]

Friends School of Portland, an independent Quaker preschool through eighth grade school, was located on Mackworth Island from 2006 to 2015, when it moved to new facility in nearby Cumberland, Maine.[8]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Mackworth Island State Park". Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  2. ^ "State Parks, State Historic Sites and Public Reserved Lands" (PDF). Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. September 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  3. ^ Maine League of Historical Societies and Museums (1970). Doris A. Isaacson (ed.). Maine: A Guide 'Down East'. Rockland, Me: Courier-Gazette, Inc. p. 425.
  4. ^ "Mackworth Island – permanent Fairy Houses Village! | Fairy Houses". www.fairyhouses.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2011.
  5. ^ Voornas, Lori (October 28, 2019). "Pet Cemetery on Mackworth Island Is Creepy and Sweet". WJBQ.com. Retrieved July 27, 2020. But Governor Percival Proctor Baxter (1921-1925) was not only a lover of dogs, but a breeder of Irish Setters. He had all of his dogs (14) and even his horse buried on Mackworth Island.
  6. ^ Gannon, Jack. 1981. Deaf Heritage–A Narrative History of Deaf America, Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf, p. 45 (PDF Archived 2012-03-28 at the Wayback Machine)
  7. ^ Features | Why I hate Mackworth Island Archived 2006-05-05 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "FSP To Stay On Mackworth Until July 2015". Friends School of Portland. Retrieved November 22, 2018.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Soares, Liz. All for Maine: The Story of Governor Percival P. Baxter. Windswept House Publishers (1996). ISBN 1-883650-17-8
[edit]