Plan of the Penobscot Expedition (Castine Historical Society)
Sketch of the position of Castine in the Bay of Penobscot, 1815. (Nova Scotia Archives)
Join the Castine Historical Society and Wilson Museum for a walk through Castine’s beautiful Witherle Woods (a Maine Coast Heritage Trust property), a teaser for a new walking and driving tour around Castine (due out later this year) that explores how two wars fought between Great Britain and America - the American Revolution (1775-1783) and the War of 1812 (1812-1815) - impacted our town and the nation. While Witherle Woods is peaceful today, it was the site of a violent battle in 1779 and a less dramatic occupation in 1814. Evidence of both conflicts remains across the landscape, and the views from various lookouts offer a wider context for the local impact of these two wars. Jane’s Walks are meant to be a conversation, and we look forward to learning from each other and sharing various perspectives.
For this roughly 2.2-mile walk, make sure you are prepared for uneven trail surfaces, ticks, mosquitos, and black flies. We recommend sturdy walking/hiking shoes, long pants, along with water, sunscreen, and bug spray. This area is prime habitat for deer ticks which are known vectors of Lyme disease—make sure to conduct a thorough tick check at the end of your visit. On-leash dogs are welcome on the walk, and Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) asks you to stay on the trail and carry out any trash. To find more information about MCHT or Witherle Woods, please visit www.mcht.org.
The walk will start at the Battle Ave entrance to the Witherle Woods Preserve. Parking is limited, so carpooling is encouraged. From the junction of Routes 166 and 166A in Castine follow Route 166 south 0.9 miles to the top of a hill. Continue right at a sharp bend in the road and drive 0.8 miles along Battle Avenue to the preserve on the right. Parking is available along the fence line (please do not block the gate). Find maps and more info at www.mcht.org/preserve/witherle-woods/.
What is Jane’s Walk?
Jane’s Walk is a global festival of free, volunteer-led walking conversations inspired by community activist Jane Jacobs. Jane’s Walks combine the simple act of exploring a place with personal observations, local history, and civic engagement.
Not in the Castine area? Find a Jane’s Walk near you at www.mainepreservation.org/janes-walk-me.
The annual Jane’s Walk festival takes place the first weekend in May, in more than 200 cities and towns around the globe. This year, it will be held in Maine on Saturday, May 6.