Dear Seacoast Tours Community,
It is with mixed emotions that I share some challenging news about Eagle Island Historic Landmark. Unfortunately, due to the aftermath of back-to-back storms that hit our beloved Maine coast on January 10 and 13, The Maine Bureau of Parks and Land has made the tough decision to close Eagle Island for the entirety of the 2024 season.
The storms caused considerable damage, particularly to the wooden pier and stone cribwork supporting it, leaving debris scattered along the shoreline. Preliminary observations from the Bureau of Parks and Land indicate minor damage to the house, with no immediate reports of harm to the visitor’s center, caretaker’s cottage, or the network of hiking trails.
As of 2/16/24, the extent of the damage is still being fully assessed. Gary Best, Southern Regional Parks Manager, suggests that it will take weeks to gather all the data needed to formalize a plan for cost estimates to rebuild the pier. Due to limited access to the island at this time, the true scope of the damage won’t be completely understood until spring.
Despite these challenges, the Bureau of Parks and Land, in collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, will work on a comprehensive plan for the necessary repairs. Access to the island in 2024 will be extremely limited, and public moorings will not be available, making kayaking the only possible entry point.
The Future of Eagle Island Historic Landmark
While we navigate this period of restoration, your support is crucial. If you’ve had the privilege of visiting Eagle Island before, we invite you to share your positive and memorable experiences with us. Write about your moments as a visitor or docent, expressing the significance of this historic site. Your anecdotes will form a collective voice, emphasizing the importance of Eagle Island and, we hope, inspiring a swift rebuilding of the pier. Please send your submissions to millerawayne@icloud.com
What You Can Do to Help Us Sail Through This Storm
As a small family-run business dependent on optimal weather during our short summer season, we face a unique set of challenges. If you were planning to visit Eagle Island this summer and are now looking for alternatives, we encourage you to explore the beauty of the Maine coast through our other excursions. Your support means the world to us, and by spreading the word about our tours, you contribute to the longevity of our business.
Visit www.seacoasttoursme.com to discover more about our offerings. Your continued support enables us to share the magic of our little slice of paradise along the coast of Maine.
Thank you for being part of the Seacoast Tours community. Together, we’ll navigate these challenges and look forward to creating more maritime memories in the future.
Warm regards,
Peter Milholland
Captain/Owner
Seacoast Tours of Freeport
