Maine island bought by 27-year-old in 1964 later became wildlife sanctuary
Witch Island, previously inhabited by the infamous Anna Chittenden—referred to as the 'Witch of Wall Street'—has transformed into a wildlife sanctuary. After her brief stay, Jane Sewall took on the responsibility of safeguarding the isle from irresponsible tourists. In 1986, Sewall gifted the island to the Maine Audubon Society, which is now overseen by the Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust.
In 1964, a 27-year-old woman named Jane Sewall purchased Witch Island, an 18-acre piece of land off the coast of South Bristol, Maine. Previously known as Davis Island, the island had a colorful past as a private residence and a summer camp. Sewall, already familiar with the island from her childhood, bought it with the intention of preserving it as a wildlife sanctuary.
She cleared the remnants of old buildings and constructed a small house on its southern end. Sewall's concern for responsible tourism led her to post signs warning visitors against starting campfires and to lobby for proper stewardship of the island. In 1983, she donated a third of the land to the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and, in 1986, donated the entire island to the Maine Audubon Society as a wildlife sanctuary.
The Maine Audubon Society managed the sanctuary for over two decades before transferring it to the Damariscotta River Association in 2009, which is now known as the Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust. The island is now uninhabited and open to the public for kayaking, hiking, and science camps, allowing visitors to appreciate its natural beauty while protecting it for future generations.
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