Fort George Revolutionary War Encampment September 8-9
August 23rd, 2018
Castine, Maine: During the weekend of September 8-9, Castine’s Revolutionary War fort will come alive with an encampment hosted by Friends of Castine Fortifications and the 74th Highlanders. The encampment will be open for visitors from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. There is no charge to attend the encampment or its programs. Fort George is located on Battle Avenue in Castine.
Visitors will be able to see and meet volunteer reenactors who will portray the Scottish, British and Hessian troops stationed at Fort George. Also attending will be reenactors portraying the Loyalist families living in Castine during this period.
Visitors will see demonstrations of what life was like at the fort after the British victory during the Penobscot Expedition in 1779. Among the activities and demonstrations will be drills, recruitments and displays about medical practices during the War.
Two special presentations are scheduled for Saturday, September 8, both held in Castine.
4:00 pm – Maine Maritime Academy, 1954 Room, Alfond Student Center, 2 Pleasant Street
“Jonathan Lowder’s Truckhouse on the Maine Frontier 1776-1779”
Historian Charles Lagerbom will talk about the history, building, occupation, post-occupation and archaeological investigation of an American Revolutionary War Trading Post on the Colonial Maine Frontier.
7:00 pm – Emerson Hall, 67 Court Street
“Fort George in “Hessian” correspondence of the American Revolution”
Who were the German troops at Fort George and what were their experiences at this British outpost in the American Revolution?
Fort George was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. The Fort’s history began in 1779 when the British Royal Navy sent a detachment of troops here, intending to use the site as a base of operations against the American rebels. They built Fort George on the highest point of ground overlooking Penobscot Bay. Upon learning of the British landing, the Massachusetts legislature (this area still being a part of the Massachusetts colony) resolved to send a combined military and naval expedition to expel British and occupy the fort.
The “Penobscot Expedition” was one of the greatest naval defeats in American history. Poor co-ordination, bickering commanders, inadequate training, and inexplicable delay allowed the British to defend the fort and inflict a humiliating defeat on their opponents, who were sent fleeing up the Penobscot River. Among those involved in the defeat was the Boston silversmith Paul Revere, whose uncooperative behavior and poor relations with the commanding officers led many to seek his censure by court martial.
For further information visit www.FriendsofCastineForts.com or call the Castine Historical Society at 207-326-4118.
