Author: Tadd Stuart

Line Elementary Second Graders Explore Gerry Preserve

Tadd Stuart

On February 3, students from Line Elementary School stepped out of the classroom and into the winter wonderland of the Gerry Preserve in Newfield. As part of our ongoing “Developing a Sense of Place” program, Mrs. Eaton’s and Mr. Kellis’s second-grade classes enjoyed a guided nature walk along the Little Ossipee River.

Accompanied by FSHT volunteers Peter Zack and Myke Russell, the students learned to identify animal tracks and winter nesting sites. For many of the children, the highlight of the day was their very first experience using snowshoes to navigate the trails.

A Longstanding Partnership

Mr. Zack has been leading these educational walks for 13 years, visiting the classrooms beforehand to share the history of the preserve. By visiting the land in both the fall and winter, students are able to observe seasonal changes firsthand and develop a lifelong respect for protected lands in their own community.

The Francis Small Heritage Trust is proud to partner with RSU 57 to foster curiosity and environmental stewardship in our local youth.

Click Here to see the full article

📰 Local History Spotlight: Surveying Cornish, Ancient Times to Current

Tadd Stuart

December 4, 2025

We are excited to share an article from the December 4th edition of the Waterboro Reporter focusing on the history of Cornish land surveying, which heavily references the history of our namesake, Francis Small.

The article summarizes a recent presentation by Robert Yarumian II of Maine Boundary Consultants, covering the evolution of local land from its ancient roots to the present day.

  • Indigenous History: The presentation touched on the area’s original occupation by Native Americans, noting that the land we now know as Cornish was part of the Pequaket Trail, traveled by the Sokokis tribe.
  • The Francis Small Propriety: The history of Francis Small’s settlement and fur trading post in the 1600s was detailed, including the pivotal land exchange with Chief Wesumbe (Captain Sandy). This exchange, recorded in a 1668 deed, resulted in Small acquiring a vast tract of land between the Great and Little Ossipee Rivers, up to the Saco River.
  • Town Formation: The presentation explains that Francis Small’s heirs, known as the proprietors, later petitioned the courts to regain the land following the French and Indian Wars. This process led to the formation of the towns of Cornish (originally “Francisborough”), Limerick, and Parsonsfield. These three towns, along with Limington and Newfield, are believed to have been included in the original 1668 deed.

The article provides fascinating context on how the land was settled, surveyed, and developed into the modern communities of southern Maine. Read the full article in the Waterboro Reporter.

Governor Mills Announces Funding for Francis Small Heritage Trust Conservation Project

Tadd Stuart

September 16, 2024

The Francis Small Heritage Trust (FSHT) has been approved for funding through the revitalized Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) Program.

In total, Governor Janet Mills announced $3.8 million in LMF funding for 12 new conservation projects across Maine. Since the Governor proposed and the Legislature approved $40 million to reinvigorate the program, the LMF Board has approved 75 new projects, totaling $29.9 million.

The project supporting FSHT falls under the Conservation and Recreation Projects category:

Porter Hills Phase II Moody Road Parcel (Porter, Oxford County)
This crucial project protects 98.6 acres of critical wildlife habitat and prime outdoor recreational destinations. The new parcel will connect to FSHT’s existing 700 acres of conservation lands, all within the Town of Porter and the Porter Hills Focus Area of Statewide Ecological Importance.

Original Article: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/about/news/news.shtml?id=13023962