Eagle Island (Admiral Peary home and State Historical Site)

The island was of course the summer home of Arctic explorer Robert E. Peary, built about 5 years before his famous adventure to the north pole in 1909. His wife and family lived there for many years. Today, you can step back into an important part of American history and enjoy the same beauty that Admiral Peary saw with his own eyes more than 80 years ago.

Guest Moorings and Approaching Eagle Island

As shown in the chart below, there are plenty of ledges so take it slow as you approach from the northwest. Make note of the nearby buoy marking the end of the ledge about 300 yards west of the island.

You'll see a state-owned pier, float, ramp, and four guest moorings. A Park Ranger will normally welcome and direct you to a mooring. Some boaters have been known to anchor when guest moorings are unavailable, but the anchor base is generally rocky so be careful. This is not a well protected area, and there are currents driven by the tides. Personally, I'd pass on the anchoring. If you do decide to anchor, the Park Ranger will offer location suggestions.

If you are without boat, Eagle Island Tours can take you.

On the Island

You'll pay a minimal fee to visit the island; think of it as an entrance fee to a time machine, taking you back to the early part of the last century. The island was first and foremost a family's home, with beautiful tended gardens which are there today for you to enjoy. You can tour Peary's large home and grounds while you learn more about his accomplishments and gain an appreciation for what life was like back in the early days of the last century. There are walking paths to help you explore more of this 17 acre island.

You can get a good sense of what is there by visiting this weblink, which is a report of one person's visit to the island in 1997:
 www.pearyhs.org/eagle/cotton-hendrix.html

Off the Island

The Friends of Eagle Island

Volunteering on the Island