the area around the salt pond is known to be rich in archaeological artifacts; investigation has yielded evidence of human habitation dating from historic times as far back as 2000 years. the island was purchased c. 1979 by philadelphia conservationists, inc., a pennsylvania-based conservation group. it granted acadia national park a "forever wild" conservation easement to the island in 1982, and turned it over to the maine coast heritage trust in 1995. the island was listed on the national register of historic places in 1979 for its archaeological significance.