History tells us that the early Egyptians were the first to experiment with slices of crystal to improve human vision. By the 12th century A.D. early opticians were creating basic lenses from glass and putting them in frames to correct vision problems. Historical records show that the first person to seek a patent on a… Read more
Dear HHLT, I am forever grateful to my uncle Russell Houghton and my cousins Allan and Patty Graves for donating a portion of the Royal Rest property on Orr’s Island to your organization. Knowing that the Houghton Graves Park is forever protected from development means so much to myself and my family. I can’t even… Read more
One of the joys of writing nature books is the opportunity to share my photo presentations with people around Maine. From Kittery to Bar Harbor, Rangeley to Harpswell, folks of all ages enjoy seeing photos of wildlife and telling their own stories about encounters in the outdoors. At times I wonder who is getting more… Read more
Harpswell is known for its iconic views of sea and shore. North, south, east or west, spin the compass and you’ll find scenes of great natural beauty all around. Well, here’s another direction to look and see something amazing. Up. The night sky in Harpswell is one of the town’s treasures, dotted with planets, stars… Read more
Sharon Whitney and Dorothy Rosenberg both contributed to this article. Come spring, Harpswell’s air is sweet with blossoming scents, particularly, the scent of apple blossoms. Wander the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust trails at Houghton Graves Park on Orr’s Island or the Curtis Farm Preserve on Harpswell Neck and you’ll see an array of young apple… Read more
We had some great submissions for our first week of the photo project this year! Thanks to the 17 photographers who sent in 80 photos! Read more
Please consider a vital question – how can an animal with a brain the size of a walnut be so devilishly clever, defeating nearly every human-designed device and construction to keep him out? If you like to feed the birds, you know exactly what I mean. There are many YouTube videos to prove just how… Read more
It’s easy to feel cooped up during the cold and dark of winter. It’s worth the effort to overcome your inertia and get yourself and your family outside! Research shows that being outdoors helps our mood, our brain and our body. Luckily in Harpswell there are lots of options for where to go. This being… Read more
Harpswell author Ed Robinson has been writing and speaking about the outdoors for years. His new presentation features superb photographs of many of Maine’s wild creatures, both the iconic and the secretive. Ed will share fascinating stories about these creatures and help us to understand more about their lives. Growing up in the Finger Lakes… Read more
2023 marks a substantial milestone for Harpswell Heritage Land Trust: we are now 40 years old! From our formation by the Harpswell Historical Society, to our evolution from Harpswell Heritage Trust to Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, to our shift from an all-volunteer to a staffed organization, and our increase in the depth and breadth of… Read more