Fort Western opens for the season May 29

PHOTO: Fort Western, in Augusta, was built in 1754 and is open to the public from Memorial Day weekend to Indigenous People’s Day. (Maureen Milliken photo)

AUGUSTA — Fort Western will open for the 2021 season on Saturday, May 29.
The fort, built in 1754, is a national landmark and includes a fort, store and house on the bank of the Kennebec River, across the river from downtown.
Fort Western was built as part of the Massachusetts military and settlement expansion into the Kennebec River valley. During the French and Indian War, soldiers were stationed at the fort under the command of Capt. James Howard. It was the location of the S&W Howard Store, established in 1767, and in operation until 1807 catering to the early settlers of Hallowell, which at the time included Hallowell, Augusta, Sidney, Chelsea and Manchester.
The fort was also a staging area for the heroic Arnold Expedition to Quebec City in 1775, and in 1778-1779, Capt. Daniel Savage, under the command of Col. William Howard, operated a scouting company out of the fort.
During its 267 years, Fort Western has served not only as a fort and store, but also a private home, and tenement and has played a central role in the founding of Hallowell, Augusta and the central Kennebec River region.
COVID-19 safety protocols are in place, including masks required inside the buildings.
The fort is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from Memorial Day through June as well as September through Oct. 11. It is open daily in July and August. The last tour of the day begins at 3:30 p.m.
Admission to the fort is free for Augusta residents and active military. For information, visit www.oldfortwestern.org [1] or call 207-626-2385.