The Androscoggin River Audio Tours (both walking and paddling) present engaging stories accompanied by vivid images of how the lives of people in the area have been intricately tied to the Androscoggin River; and how this relationship has shaped the land, cities, and river over time. In addition to traversing the downtown areas by foot, the audio paddling tour can also be experienced from the unique vantage point of the river itself. Explore some of the rarely seen canals only observed from the water!
These immersive tours serve as a portal to the rich history of the area and the story of the remarkable recovery of the Androscoggin River in recent decades. Allow us to lead you along the paths lining the river in both Auburn and Lewiston, visiting sections of the historic downtown Bates Mill complex along the way. The historical significance of this area goes back to the Abenaki Indians who claimed this riverfront as a seasonal village because of the abundant salmon, rich soils, and fresh water.
Learn more about how the Androscoggin River underwent a dramatic change with the rise of the textile industry. High pollution levels compounded by the many dams decimated fish populations and altered the ecology of the river. Inspired by the Clean Water Act of 1972, however, this story is actually one of the greatest river restoration efforts ever.
The Androscoggin Land Trust’s impetus for creating this tour was to help local residents and visitors learn more about the history of the river and other local natural resources. Sharing this information can encourage informed and thoughtful decisions about their future use—weighing issues such as environmental sustainability, growth, and quality of life.
Tour Sponsors This tour is sponsored the
Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT) Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT). ALT is a private, non-profit membership-supported organization dedicated to protecting, through land conservation and stewardship, the important natural areas, traditional landscapes, and outdoor experience in the Androscoggin River watershed.
ALT works primarily in all of
Androscoggin County (Auburn, Durham, Greene, Leeds, Lewiston, Lisbon, Livermore, Livermore Falls, Mechanic Falls, Minot, Poland, Sabattus, Turner, Wales), Franklin County (Jay), Oxford County (Canton, Hebron, Buckfield), and Sagadahoc County (Bowdoin).
Find More Tours Near You If you are interested in more audio walking tours wherever your travels may take you, check out the
TravelStorys.com. Every place has a story.
Location: Maine
Travel Type: Walking
Tour Duration: 45 minutes
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