It was originally built by kennebec proprietors, a bostonbased company seeking to settle the lands along the kennebec river that had been granted to the pilgrims more than a century earlier. History buffs will also enjoy a visit to old fort western, a former colonial outpost on the kennebec river, which is now the oldest wooden garrison in america. The fort was listed on the national register of historic places in 1969, and was declared a national historic landmark in 1973. Be sure to visit the nearby maine state museum, viles arboretum and old fort western, a 1754 national historic landmark fort, store and house located on the kennebec river. Old fort western in 1754 a blockhouse was erected to provide for the regional protection of the then wilderness area that would become known as augusta. Programs shown during the augusta lcv weekend on american history tv the evictions of malaga island, maine. Make sure to check out one of the parks most beloved features, portland head light, the oldest lighthouse in maine. Old fort western national historic landmark, built. Theres always something new to learn at old fort western.
Learn about the local heritage of augusta at landmarks like old fort western and masonic hall. After 1767, it served as a storehouse and as a private residence. Fort western is a former british colonial outpost at the head of navigation on the kennebec river at modern augusta, maine, united states. Old fort western, built in 1754 and a national historic landmark, is americas oldest surviving wooden fort a reminder of the great contest between cultures that dominated new england life 250 years ago. The fort was built by the kennebec proprietors, a bostonbased company seeking to settle the lands along the kennebec river that had been. Augusta is notable for landmarks like old fort western, old federal building, and masonic hall. Richmond maine area attractions and activities augusta. Augusta me hotels best western plus civic center inn. Cultural venues in the city include maine state museum, childrens discovery museum, and waterville opera house. Old fort western, built in 1754 and a national historic landmark, is maines and new englands oldest surviving wooden fort a reminder of the. Get a glimpse into life in maine during the 1700 and 1800s at old fort western. Located in augusta, best western plus augusta civic center inn is near the airport, within a 5minute walk of augusta civic center and university of maine at augusta.
New englands oldest surviving wooden fort, old fort western, dates from 1754. This 1754 fort is actually on the national historic landmark list, and is actually new englands oldest surviving wooden fort. Old fort western augusta, me main street maine maine. To preserve, protect and interpret the 1754 national historic landmark fort, store, house and tenement on the kennebec river in maines capitol city. The elegant maine state house is open on weekdays for tours, and youre welcome to walk in. Book best western plus augusta civic center inn in augusta. Augusta is a familyfriendly place known for its restaurants. Best western plus augusta civic center inn augusta, maine, us. We werent able to take a tour but enjoyed seeing it from the outside. Protecting, preserving and interpreting the 1754 national historic landmark fort, store and house on the kennebec river in augusta, maine.
It was built in 1754, before the declaration of independence was written. Guided tour tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. Fort western living history museum will remain closed and all activities. Novak said fort halifax artifacts are being cataloged and added to his book. We enjoyed learning about the fort and maine history.
Join costumed characters for a tour of this historic fort, inspect exhibitions of original artifacts and watch demonstrations of the activities that have taken place here over its 250 year lifespan. In augusta, maine, this hotel is a 10 minute drive from the historic national monument, old fort western. Overlooking the kennebec river at augusta, this national historic landmark was used by benedict arnold during the revolutionary war. Fort western in augusta to house artifacts from richmond. Theres plenty more to see, including sights like capitol park and maine state house. Wifi and parking are free, and this hotel also features an outdoor pool. Old fort western augusta, me 04330 maine invites you. Simply book an excursion to enjoy your stay a little more. This historic fort is very close to downtown augusta. The maine state house in augusta overlooks the kennebec river, its copperclad dome glowing like a wellworn penny. The fort was built by the kennebec proprietors, a bostonbased company seeking to settle the lands along the kennebec river that had been granted to the pilgrims more than a century earlier. We will continue to provide updates on museum openings and program offerings through this website and our facebook page as new information becomes available.
Fort western, maine on the kennebec river legends of america. Check out the maine state museum and old fort western living history museum and stroll through viles arboretum. A couple of additional sights to add to your agenda are capitol park and maine state house. Aug 30, 2011 a short video of old fort western augusta, me. It carries cony street from downtown augusta on the west side of the river to the east side near old fort western. The fort was built by the kennebec proprietors, a boston based company seeking to. Old fort western located downtown augusta, maine is the oldest surviving wood fort in new england, this 1754 structure houses historic collections. View deals for best western plus augusta civic center inn.
Historic forts in maine visit our national historic landmarks. Historic interpreter roger collins spoke about fort western in maine, its role as a colonial defensive structure, and its role in the growth of the city of augusta, maine cspans local. Instead, the focus these days at our nations oldest surviving wooden fort is providing visitors with a glimpse of early american history in this region through historic interpreters in period costumes, traditional furnishings and other associated buildings. Located in augusta and with old fort western reachable within 2.
How cool is that at old fort western there is the fort itself, as asll as the store and the house to see. The nearest airport is knox county regional airport, 47. Old fort western, built in 1754 and a national historic landmark, is america s oldest surviving. The university of maine at augusta is just blocks away, augusta civic center is within walking distance and the maine state capitol is just five miles from our property. Experience maines colonial history at old fort western in augusta, built in 1754. A national historic landmark, old fort western, a site dating to 1754, no longer serves a military purpose. It still stands today at old fort western, on the eastern bank at cushnoc. This 3star hotel offers a 24hour front desk, a concierge service and free wifi. Fort western augusta 2020 all you need to know before you. Fort wester n is a former british colonial outpost at the head of navigation on the kennebec river at mod ern augusta, ma ine, united states. Old fort western augusta, maine, 16 cony st, augusta, me 2020. The hotel features a fullservice spa and cloud 9 restaurant.
No need to go inside just park in the ample parking adjacent under a tree out of the sun and walk around the outside. Visitor centers kennebec valley chamber of commerce 269 western ave. Fort western in augusta to house artifacts from richmond, winslow forts. Old fort western 16 cony street augusta, me, 04330 207. Old fort western is located on the east bank of the kennebec river in augusta, about a mile from maine s state capitol complex. From its construction 1973 until 2009, the bridge was known as the father curran bridge, named by the maine legislature for the rev. Augusta old fort western is poised to become a regional repository.
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. Learn about the regions past at the maine state museum, enjoy nature at capitol park and take a tour of the state house. The museum is open daily from the fourth of july through labor day. Its main building, the only original element of the fort to survive, was restored in 1920 and now depicts its original.
Jul 05, 2015 fort western in augusta to house artifacts from richmond, winslow forts. Offering barbecue facilities, the property is located within 3. Nice historic fort this fort was built in the 1700s next to the river and it looks now like it did back then. Old fort western augusta, me 04330 maine tourism association. Augusta is the seat of many of maine s governmental agencies and offices. This hotel is close to several points of interest, including the augusta civic center, the augusta state airport and the university of maine at augusta.
As the state capital of maine, augusta is an exciting historical destination with plenty to see and do. Old fort western, whose main house is a national historic landmark and americas oldest surviving wooden military building, was named for thomas western, of sussex, england, a friend of governor william shirley. During the summer months, visit old fort western, the oldest surviving wooden fort in the country. Fort western in augusta to house artifacts from richmond, winslow. If you are searching for augusta me hotels truly in the center of all then the best western plus augusta civic center inn is the perfect choice. Sometimes, you are lucky and the site is incredibly intact just like the old fort western in maine. One week sessions mondayfriday will explore daily life in the 18th century, museum stewardship, and historic house interpretation. Old fort western augusta, maine 16 cony st, augusta, maine 04330 rated 4.
Top 10 hotels in augusta, maine cancel free on most hotels. Augusta fort western was built in 1754 by the massachusetts bay colony to protect the small, riverside community against raids from canada at the beginning of the french and indian war. The hope is that the augusta fort will become a regional repository where the public can enjoy the artifacts. Visit historic downtown and dine at one of augustas fine restaurants. Augusta, maine is the state capital in the heart of the kennebec valley region. Old fort western 16 cony street augusta, me 04330 phone. Guided tours offer rich experiences of daily life in the 18th century. Fort western, augusta, maine by carol highsmith fort western, located in augusta, maine is a former british colonial outpost that was built at the beginning of the french and indian war in 1754. Old fort western, built in 1754 and a national historic landmark, is.
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