Restoring Greenwich's Historic Shell Island Preserve
The Greenwich Land Trust (GLT) has been awarded a significant grant to restore the critical habitat at Shell Island Preserve—a 5.2-acre island located in Captain Harbor, just south of Byram Harbor.
Sandbar Connection. Shell Island is the "neighbor" to the larger Calf Island (part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge). The two are actually connected at low tide by a sandbar. It is only accessible by water (kayak, paddleboard, or small boat). The nearest public boat launch is at Byram Park.
Restoration News. Just this week (March 2026), GLT was awarded a major grant of over $278,000 to restore the island's habitat. The project focuses on removing invasive species and planting native coastal grasslands to support local wildlife.
Key Features. Once the summer residence of the August and Mary Eimer family, the island formerly hosted gardens, fruit trees, and even a tennis court. It is most famous for its 60-foot stone tower, built in 1925 by Otto Eimer, a prominent chemist, as a memorial to his son. The tower was restored in 2008 with an iconic copper roof, which has since weathered to a classic green patina. It remains a recognized historic landmark frequently spotted from the mainland.
The Edison History. Otto Eimer was a partner in Eimer & Amend, the legendary New York City chemical supply house that provided Thomas Edison with the rare materials and specialized glass apparatus needed for his inventions. Eimer was such an admirer of Edison that he converted the Shell Island tower into a private museum. For decades, it housed an extraordinary collection of Edison memorabilia, including the first prototypes of incandescent bulbs, original sound-recording phonographs, and rare laboratory instruments.
Between the Lines: The restored island will add even more historic and ecological value to Greenwich's "Gold Coast."