KELT History Spotlight: Taking out the garbage in 1957
Kate Smith, left, and Ruth Norton dumping garbage off Bay Point, circa 1958. Photo courtesy of Kathy Gravino
Kate Smith, left, and Ruth Norton dumping garbage off Bay Point, circa 1958. Photo courtesy of Kathy Gravino
In celebration of the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust’s (KELT) 30th Anniversary, we are sharing historical snippets and stories. The spotlights will highlight moments in local environmental history to show how far people have come conserving, restoring, and appreciating the lands and waters of the Kennebec Estuary region.
Summer and year-round residents on Bay Point, in Georgetown, and all along the Maine coast, dumped their household garbage directly into the Kennebec River, where it flows out into the Gulf of Maine. This was described as “a regular activity and a great social event” where residents would wave at their friendly neighbors on their way to pre-determined household garbage dumping sites. This documentation of such casual, unintended-yet-harmful pollution serves as a valuable reminder of the progress that Maine’s rivers have made in the past 50+ years.
KELT welcomes folks to share photographs and images from years past of the estuary, Merrymeeting Bay, or surrounding lands to be a part of the History Spotlight series. Share photos, maps, stories, etc. with Becky at bkolak@kennebecestuary.org or call 207-442-8400.
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