Fort Western is a former British colonial outpost at the head of navigation on the Kennebec River at modern Augusta, Maine, United States. It was built in 1754 during the French and Indian War, and is now a National Historic Landmark and local historic site owned by the city. It is the oldest surviving wooden fort in America, which still stands today. Its main building, the only original element of the fort to survive, was restored in 1920 by William H Gannett and Guy P Gannett and now depicts its original use as a trading post. The Gannett's then gifted the building back to the City of Augusta, and it opened as a museum on July 4th, 1922.

French and Indian War

thumb|left|Fort Western, Maine

Fort Western was built by a Boston land company (the Kennebec Proprietors) in 1754 as a fortified trading post, and to promote settlement in the area and help Britain gain power in North America. Fort Western was the starting point for the march through the wilderness to Quebec.

Old Fort Western

200px|right|thumb|Fort Western in [[Augusta, Maine|Augusta, Maine]]

The main building of the fort eventually passed out of the Howard family, and was converted into a tenement house. It was repurchased by Howard family descendants in 1919, and restored the following year, which included the construction of two new blockhouses and a stockade. The stockade was again rebuilt in 1960.

The fort was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1973. Today, it is open to the public from Memorial Day weekend until Columbus day. The museum offers guided tours, 4th of July celebrations, and various educational programs for all to enjoy. These lessons and tours are guided by people in clothing from that time period, giving a glimpse of what life was like during 18th century colonial times.

See also

  • Cushnoc Archeological Site, adjacent to the fort
  • List of National Historic Landmarks in Maine
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Kennebec County, Maine

References

  • The Old Fort Western web site