What Is Old Fort Western?
This is the oldest wood fort in New England that’s still standing!
What Makes It Historical?
In 1754, the Kennebec Proprietors, a huge Massachusetts-based land company, commissioned master carpenter, Gershom Flagg, to construct a fur trading post that would protect their trade interests on the Kennebec River! It was to be guarded a small garrison of twenty soldiers led by Lieutenant James Howards, and it stayed this way for nine whole years! At that point, September 13, 1759, the British defeated the French in the Seven Years War, which enabled more British civilians to settle Maine. Though Fort Western was decommissioned in 1763, Lieutenant Howard stayed behind to settle, even buying the fort from the Proprietors in 1769 to operate as a trading post and store! His descendants owned and operated it all the way until 1920 when the fort was restored and donated to the City of Augusta!
Old Fort Western is also noteworthy because it’s where Benedict Arnold assembled 1,050 soldiers on September 24, 1775 whie on his way to attack Quebec City during the Revolutionary War! This was three months before his campaign produced the first major American loss of the Revolution and five years before Mr. Arnold attempted to sell West Point and the Hudson River to British Lieutenant General, Henry Clinton! Also in this party was the future killer of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer with the Kennebec Historical Society!
- Donate to the Kennebec Historical Society!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
8 Cony Street
Augusta, Maine 04330
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
The fort is open from Memorial Day until mid October but on different schedules! In July and August, it’s open daily from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM, but only open Friday through Monday in June and September!
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