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Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary is a 450 acre forested
Official website
1921 establishments in Rhode Island Bird observatories in the United States Bird sanctuaries of the United States Education in Lewiston, Maine Tourist attractions in Lewiston, Maine Nature conservation organizations based in the United States Non-profit organizations based in Maine Ornithological organizations in the United States Protected areas established in 1921 Protected areas of Androscoggin County, Maine
Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary is a 450 acre forested wildlife preserve
A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or ...
owned and managed by the Stanton Bird Club in Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston (; ; officially the City of Lewiston, Maine) is the second largest city in Maine and the most central city in Androscoggin County. The city lies halfway between Augusta, the state's capital, and Portland, the state's most populous ci ...
since 1921. At 510 feet high Thorncrag hill is highest point in Lewiston and contains many hiking trails.
History
In the nineteenth century the area was owned by the Thorne family and was the site of the homestead of Elder Benjamin Thorne (1779-1864), a Freewill Baptist preacher who dedicatedHathorn Hall
Hathorn Hall is a historic academic building on the campus of Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. Built in 1857 to a design by Gridley J.F. Bryant, it was the college's first academic building following the move of the Maine State Seminary (as it ...
at nearby Bates College
Bates College () is a private liberal arts college in Lewiston, Maine. Anchored by the Historic Quad, the campus of Bates totals with a small urban campus which includes 33 Victorian Houses as some of the dormitories. It maintains of nature p ...
. During this time it was known as the “Crag.” In 1921 the Stanton Bird Club, which was founded in 1919 in honor of Bates Professor Jonathan Stanton
Jonathan Stanton (1834–1918) was an ornithologist and longtime professor of Greek and Latin at Bates College, a librarian and a supporter of the debate program.
Career
A native of Lebanon, Maine, USA, and an 1856 graduate of Bowdoin College, ...
, received the land comprising the Sanctuary and founded the Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary with donations from another Bates professor, Alfred Williams Anthony. The name "Thorncrag" was created by Professor Anthony. Bates College has used the land for scientific research and in the past it was also used as a dairy and sheep farm, a Highland Spring bottling facility, a tuberculosis sanitorium. Today Thorncrag Nature Sanctuary is used for various educational and recreational purposes including hiking and birdwatching.
References
{{reflistExternal links
Official website
1921 establishments in Rhode Island Bird observatories in the United States Bird sanctuaries of the United States Education in Lewiston, Maine Tourist attractions in Lewiston, Maine Nature conservation organizations based in the United States Non-profit organizations based in Maine Ornithological organizations in the United States Protected areas established in 1921 Protected areas of Androscoggin County, Maine