Old Fort Western - Augusta, Maine

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Old Fort Western - Augusta, Maine

Old Fort Western National Historic Landmark, built in 1754.
(203)

Old Fort Western (1754) National Historic Landmark is America's oldest surviving wooden French & Indian War era garrison in North America illuminating 300 years of Maine and New England History.

05/28/2026

Broom Making Class: We are offering a "Make and Take" broom making class on June 20th from 10am until noon. Learn the technique of creating a classic cobwebber and whisk broom.
Broom making takes a little bit of patience, average dexterity, and a bit of whimsical nature. It does not require upper body strength. Most often in the centuries past the elders of the family were the ones making the brooms. Grandmas or Grandpas and even the blind were often the broom makers in early America.
Limited space available.
Cost is $75.00 per person. Please call 626-2385 to preregister.

05/19/2026

Join us at Fort Western this Saturday, May 23, for the 2026 Tour season Kick-off. Cannon fire will kick off the season at 10:00am. The day will focus on the Pilgrim Trading Post at Cushnoc. Members of the Piscataqua Rangers and local reenactors will be here to share their knowledge of the Kennebec fur trade and 17th-century living.
We will be open extended weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday) from Saturday, May 23rd, until Tuesday, June 30th. Tours are possible during the mid week by appointment; call 207-626-2385 to schedule. In July and August, we will be open daily.
Tour hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the last tour starting by 3:30 p.m. A full event schedule planned for America's 250th anniversary. We are working on a grande July 4th Celebration with the Annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence by the Mayor of Augusta, the cannonade for the thirteen orginial colonies, colonial children's games, a hotdog fundraiser, and carriage rides on the Fort side of the Kennebec River.

05/16/2026

On this day in the year 1787 Martha wrote...
Clear. I attended the funeral of Judge Howard & tarried all night with thee widow. Shee complaind of a Soar throat. A larg Funeral.

We thank everyone who registered for today's 5th annual Martha Ballard's Day. We look forward to seeing all of you.

05/15/2026

On this day in the year 1787 Martha wrote...
Clear. the Girls went to School aftern. mr Ballard ploughd flax in. I Brued. Danniel Brot a Salmon, wt 21-1/2 lb. we Bot 61 lb of pork. Saml Foster & Wm Pulln Dind here. mr Balld Bot him Self a pair of hoes at mr Westons.

Please join us on Saturday, May 16th from 1:00-4:30 for our 5th annual Martha Ballard’s Day. This is an afternoon filled with experiences that Martha herself would be familiar with. See what equipment was used in a colonial kitchen followed by tea in the parlor. Learn about textiles and clothing of the time, then hear from Doctor Coleman on how doctors and midwives practiced different healing methods.
Cost is $35.00. Please call to preregister. 207-626-2385

05/14/2026

On this day in the year 1787 Martha wrote...
Clear. the Girls washt & went to mrs Westons. mrs Savage Dind here, Capt Savages Lady here & Dind also. I went to mrs Howards when I heard of the Esqrs Death. Esqr Howard Departed this Life; a Suden Change, he was well and Dead in about three hours.

Martha documenting the death of James Howard, commander of Fort Western.

Please join us on Saturday, May 16th from 1:00-4:30 for our 5th annual Martha Ballard’s Day. This is an afternoon filled with experiences that Martha herself would be familiar with. See what equipment was used in a colonial kitchen followed by tea in the parlor. Learn about textiles and clothing of the time, then hear from Doctor Coleman on how doctors and midwives practiced different healing methods.
Cost is $35.00. Please call to preregister. 207-626-2385

05/13/2026

On this day in the year 1797 Martha wrote…
Clear. I have been planting beens and Mellons. I paid Sarah Lasson /6 which was all I owd her for what Shee has Done for me. I allso paid Polly Butterfield 17s:6d which was all that I owd her for work to this Day. Hoiet went to mr Blaks for ½ galn W.E. Son Ephm Came here with mrss Capins hors to Pasture, he Sleeps here.
at home.

Please join us on Saturday, May 16th from 1:00-4:30 for our 5th annual Martha Ballard’s Day. This is an afternoon filled with experiences that Martha herself would be familiar with. See what equipment was used in a colonial kitchen followed by tea in the parlor. Learn about textiles and clothing of the time, then hear from Doctor Coleman on how doctors and midwives practiced different healing methods.
Cost is $35.00. Please call to preregister. 207-626-2385

05/12/2026

On this day in the year 1790 Martha wrote…
Cloudy. Hannah & Parthena have been Confind to yr Bed, very sick this day. Patty sick allso. Dolly Sett her web to work but feels feeble. I have made out to nurs the Sick. mr Ballard been to Colo Howards & to ye hook. the freshet is up. at home. Hannah & Parthena Sick.
Below is Ephraim Ballards account page at the S & W Howard Store. On May 12, 1790 Ephraim visits the store and purchases 13 Gallons of molasses at 2/6 totalling one pound/ twelve shillings/six pence (1/12/6)

Please join us on Saturday, May 16th from 1:00-4:30 for our 5th annual Martha Ballard’s Day. This is an afternoon filled with experiences that Martha herself would be familiar with. See what equipment was used in a colonial kitchen followed by tea in the parlor. Learn about textiles and clothing of the time, then hear from Doctor Coleman on how doctors and midwives practiced different healing methods.
Cost is $35.00. Please call to preregister. 207-626-2385

05/11/2026

On this day in the year 1799 Martha wrote…
Clear part of the day. I wed part of my Current trees. mr Vauhn Calld and took Some limbs of the white ones. mr Ballard been at his hous, workt about the Chimney. I have been at home.
at home. we had 14 lb Veal of mr Livermore.

Please join us on Saturday, May 16th from 1:00-4:30 for our 5th annual Martha Ballard’s Day. This is an afternoon filled with experiences that Martha herself would be familiar with. See what equipment was used in a colonial kitchen followed by tea in the parlor. Learn about textiles and clothing of the time, then hear from Doctor Coleman on how doctors and midwives practiced different healing methods.
Cost is $35.00. Please call to preregister. 207-626-2385

05/10/2026

On this day in the year 1787 Martha wrote…
a rain. mr Learned & his Brother David went from here this morn with their shingles. Mrs Porter here. mr Ballard and Deacn Emerson gone to Jabiz Cowens. I wrote a Letter to Brother Collins & one to Sister Waters.

Please join us on Saturday, May 16th from 1:00-4:30 for our 5th annual Martha Ballard’s Day. This is an afternoon filled with experiences that Martha herself would be familiar with. See what equipment was used in a colonial kitchen followed by tea in the parlor. Learn about textiles and clothing of the time, then hear from Doctor Coleman on how doctors and midwives practiced different healing methods.
Cost is $35.00. Please call to preregister. 207-626-2385

Address

16 Cony Street
Augusta, ME
04330

Telephone

+12076262385

Website

https://www.augustamaine.gov/oldfortwestern

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