This week, I am going to share about this unique historic site in Damariscotta!
I have a group of girlfriends that I met when I first started teaching almost 16 years ago! We have remained friends through many of life’s ups and downs (think marriage, divorce, infertility, miscarriages, babies..you name it, we have supported each other through it all!). We all now work in different school districts and get together twice a year for some epic adventuring! I got to visit the Whaleback Shell Midden State Historic Site on a trip we all took to the midcoast region last year!
The Whaleback Shell Midden State Historic Site is located in Damariscotta. Directions to the site can be located on the Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust website. You’ll have two parking options to access the site; parking is available at the Conservation Trust’s headquarters or closer to the Whaleback midden site. The Whaleback Site is owned by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and is operated cooperatively with the Conservation Trust.
The historic site contains a massive oyster shell heap, or midden, that was formed over a period of more than 1,000 years by Native Americans. Eventually, the shells were processed for chicken feed in the 1800s, and now only a fraction of the original mounds still remain. What is amazing is that even though a fraction of the original Glidden Midden (see picture above) remains, it is still one of the largest intact middens on the east coast!
There are several trails throughout the historic site. The trail that leads down to the midden site has storyboards that will give you historical information along with stories about the Damariscotta River. You can also opt to take a small trail through an historic orchard. The 100+ year trees are impressive and still bear fruit!
A downloadable version of this map can be found here
The entire trail system on the historic site is roughly 1.5 miles long. They recently added a connector trail that is gently graded and finished with stone dust. This trail is perfect for strollers! The connector trail will get you access to both the midden site and the historical Darrows barn that was once part of the Round Top Farm.
Once down at the Midden Site, there are some benches and a picnic table along with a smaller network of trails that lead you around the Site. You will have great views of the river and some points along the trail you can get on the rocks close to the water of the river. It is amazing to see the riverbed still covered in oyster shells.
Important Note regarding the Glidden Midden Site: There are TWO maps on the Conservation Trust’s website that label the location of the Glidden Midden as part of the Glidden Point Reserve and the other map refers to it as the Salt Bay Preserve. The map that lists it as part of the Salt Bay Preserve shows a trail (boots recommended) to access the Glidden midden site while the map with it listed as Glidden Point Preserve DOES NOT. If interested in heading to the Glidden midden site, please contact the Conservation Trust for more information on whether or not it’s accessible.
The Bathroom Low Down for Historic Site:
There are NO bathrooms on site. The Damariscotta Hannaford is within walking distance or a very quick ride and will probably be the closest place for a bathroom.
What’s in my car or backpack for this visit?
As we head into fall in Maine, safety is my NUMBER ONE concern. I never head into the woods without some hunter orange on. I always stock up on 2 or 3 of these hunter orange beanie for my daughter. I throw these into my car, our backpack, and camper. They are a bit oversized, and definitely not fashionable, but they do the trick.
My other ABSOLUTE is going to be my favorite-go to: the Oxo-Tot Travel Potty. Without a bathroom on site, this will automatically be in my backpack for this trip.
Key Takeaways:
- Whaleback Shell Midden State Historic Site is a great addition to a visit to the Damariscotta or Pemaquid regions. If bringing my daughter, this would be a fabulous place to incorporate into a BYO lunch stop.
- As an historic site, please avoid taking home a “souvenir”. While it was definitely a moment to be able to handle something that was hundreds of years old, if everyone took a piece of the remaining oyster shells, the midden would be no longer.
- Come prepared for NO BATHROOMs. The Damariscotta Hannaford is a short trip from the entrance to historic site and probably your closest bet to finding usable bathrooms. If that’s too far, consider the Oxo-Tot travel potty.
- As we approach fall, consider always having some hunter orange gear in your car or backpack. If your kiddo doesn’t like hats, consider a vest. Always go a size larger to fit puffy jackets and layers.
Thank you for reading this blog post on The Wandering Chickadee!
~Natalie
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Thanks for this information. I had never heard of a midden! Must be quite a special place thinking about all those who walked on that same ground over the years!