Peabody-Fitch

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bridgton, maine

About Peabody-Fitch Woods

Peabody-Fitch Woods (PFW) is a 252-acre forest with 2.5 miles of trails surrounding the fields of Bridgton Historical Society's Narramissic Farm. The woods and trails are available for public use year round for walking, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, nature observation, hunting, and ATV and snowmobiling on designated trails.

Access Information

A large, dirt parking area with room for bus turnaround and a designated accessible parking space will greet you as you turn off of Narramissic Road. There is a kiosk with a trail map and other information about the property. The parking area is plowed for winter use.

The house and barn is maintained by Bridgton Historical Society and is open for tours Tuesday-Saturday from 11-3 through August 15. The woods and trails are available for public use year round and free of charge.

Dogs are welcome on the property. Please pick up and carry out all dog waste. Dogs should remain on a leash on Peggy's Pasture Loop, and under strict voice command on the rest of the trails on the property.

Note: We ask that visitors please be respectful of local residents by adhering to the posted speed limit on Ingalls Road.  

History

This land is within the traditional and unceded territory of the Abenaki, a member tribe of the Wabanaki Confederacy. The Abenaki First Nations of Odanak and Wôlinak maintain reservations along the St. Francis and St. Lawrence Rivers in the Canadian province of Quebec, where they sought refuge following colonial warfare in the Saco, Presumpscot, and Androscoggin River watersheds during the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Peabody-Fitch Farm was established in 1797 by one of Bridgton’s first settlers, William Peabody. Peabody established a granite quarry for the home and farm buildings. The quarry remains intact on the southwestern corner of the parcel. Stone walls indicate both animal pastures and cultivated lands. At least one road crossed the property, coming from the John Peabody farm to today’s Narramissic farm and on to points west in Denmark and Bridgton.

In 1938, Margaret Monroe purchased the property to use as a summer home. After her death in 1986, the home, barn, and fields were donated to the Bridgton Historical Society while the forestland was left to her daughter, Peg Normann.

Conservation Background

In August 2019, Loon Echo Land Trust purchased the forest from the Normann family after a major fundraising effort. Thank you to the many individual donors that made this land protection project possible. Additional thanks to the Bridgton Historical Society, Portland Water District, Sebago Clean Waters, Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, Davis Conservation Foundation, Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust, an anonymous family foundation, Kendal C. and Anna Ham Foundation and Fields Pond Foundation.

A parking area, Peggy's Pasture Loop and the Quarry Loop Trail were constructed in 2020 and 2021.

Trails & Maps

Quarry Trail Loop (2.0 miles):
Generally flat, although steep in sections. Wide corridor to begin, trail narrows as you get to the ‘lollipop’. Roots and rocks near the quarries. Maps located at all trail intersections.

Head left or right on Field Loop Trail, follow blue blazes from the top of the field.
Peggy's Pasture Loop (0.5 miles):
Gravel surfaced with a gentle slope, 6-feet wide for the entire half mile. Three benches are located along the trail at approximately 900 ft intervals. The trail increases in elevation as you make your way to the top of the field (middle of the loop).

Open for walking and all wheeled mobility devices are welcomed.
Arrow signaling to click.
questions about the trails?

Talk to Jon!

Email stewardship@lelt.org

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our preserves are free and open to the public