The Arnold Park Pines have been recognized as historic by the American Forests Organization.

The Arnold Park Pines in Skowhegan have recently been nominated to the National Register of Historic Trees by local resident Lynda Quinn. The soon-to-be-published volume will showcase trees that have witnessed the nation's historic events. The white pines on Skowhegan Island in the Kennebec River are thought to be 300 years old and would have witnessed Benedict Arnold leading over 1,000 American soldiers to invade Quebec in 1775. Arnold, who in 1780 offered to sell West Point's fortress to the British for 20,000 pounds, is described by some as "the traitor who saved America," because of his early military prowess against the English army.

Skowhegan Island was once used by Native Americans traveling to and from the sea as a campsite and cropland. The river island had waterfalls on each side and a sluiceway (waterway) running through the center, which was ideal for powering mills. In 1772, European colonists built the first homes on this island. A few years later, Benedict Arnold, who had been sent by George Washington to take Quebec City from the British, traveled up the river. At the falls, they portaged (hand-carried their boats). On the journey, the hastily made flat-bottom boats, known as bateaux, often sank and ruined supplies. By the time the army reached Quebec they were hungry, cold and at half their original number, allowing the British to repel them.

The island has undergone many changes over the years. In the early 1900's Central Maine Power built two large dams and power stations that are still in use today. Because of a change in river levels, the island's sluiceway can no longer power mills. Recently, a park has been built to commemorate Arnold's ill-fated amphibious attack. The centuries-old white pines in the park remain. They are living eyewitnesses to the journey of the controversial revolutionary, Benedict Arnold. Nonprofit conservation organization, American Forests, recognizes the Arnold Park Pines in Skowhegan as historic. The photo of Coburn Park, Skowhegan, was obtained at http://www.skowhegan.com/
[American Forests Historic Tree Nursery]