History
Reed beds were established at Minsmere during World War II when the existing grazing marshes were flooded as an anti-invasion measure. The reserve was first established in 1947 when the RSPB leased around 1,500 acres (610 ha) from the Ogilive family. This land was then purchased in 1977 with further purchases of surrounding land expanding the reserve over the years.
The ruins of a chapel at the original site of Leiston Abbey, a scheduled ancient monument, are visible to the south of the reserve. Threatened by flooding, the monks moved the abbey in 1363 to a site 2.5 miles (4.0 km) further inland, building a chapel dedicated to St Mary at the site of the original abbey church, the stone from which was used in the new building. The chapel probably remained in use until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536. The RSPB commissioned an archeological evaluation of the site and were provided £47,600 for its conservation and repair by English Heritage and Natural England.
Read more about this topic: Minsmere RSPB Reserve
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“You that would judge me do not judge alone
This book or that, come to this hallowed place
Where my friends’ portraits hang and look thereon;
Ireland’s history in their lineaments trace;
Think where man’s glory most begins and ends
And say my glory was I had such friends.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
“What is most interesting and valuable in it, however, is not the materials for the history of Pontiac, or Braddock, or the Northwest, which it furnishes; not the annals of the country, but the natural facts, or perennials, which are ever without date. When out of history the truth shall be extracted, it will have shed its dates like withered leaves.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“[Men say:] “Don’t you know that we are your natural protectors?” But what is a woman afraid of on a lonely road after dark? The bears and wolves are all gone; there is nothing to be afraid of now but our natural protectors.”
—Frances A. Griffin, U.S. suffragist. As quoted in History of Woman Suffrage, vol. 4, ch. 19, by Susan B. Anthony and Ida Husted Harper (1902)