Fort McClary, Kittery, Maine |
Saturday, August 8, 2009 |
Fort McClary Encampment, August 2009
I wish I was better at planning these things, but sometimes you get lucky. I drove out to Fort McClary in Kittery, Maine today and was surprised to find a group of reenactors camping there for the weekend. Their tents provided a nice little extra.
Tents
Blockhouse and encampment
Reenactors tents and the foundation of the old barracks.
The Blockhouse is unique not only for it’s shape and design, but because when it was built in 1844-1846 it was already considered obsolete. It’s the last of it’s kind built in Maine.
Blockhouse at Fort McClary
Another curious element of the fort is the unfinished walls. These were being built from 1844 up through 1848 when the work was halted unfinished. Apparently with the Civil War over and the decision that the design wouldn’t withstand the newest weapons of the time, it just didn’t make sense to continue. The huge granite blocks were left where they remain today.
Unfinished wall at Fort McClary
The fort has great scenic views of Portsmouth Harbor.
View from the Blockhouse at Fort McClary
Another view from the Blockhouse
Lastly, there’s this little oddity. I have no idea why they have a Abe Lincoln look-alike coin jar…
Abe Lincoln Coin Jar and Quills
