In 1908, a Boston woman donated 140 acres of Maine Beehive and Bowl to protect the natural places. Her gift helped pave the way for Acadia National Park

Long before Acadia National Park became one of America’s most beloved coastal parks, a private landowner made a decision that helped change the future of Mount Desert Island.

In May 1908, Eliza Homans quietly donated about 140 acres on Mount Desert Island to the Hancock County Trustees of Public Reservation. Her property included some of the island’s most striking natural features, including the Beehive, the Bowl and part of Champlain Mountain.