old fort western

Oldest wooden fort in the country still standing. In changing uses through the 1920s as a tenement house. Excellent interpreters, with live 1700s period demonstrations.

Situated on the river this is said to be the oldest wooden fort still standing. We had an excellent guide who took us around the fort and through the buildings explaining the use of all. This is more a supply depot than a fort and the stories of the people involved using it for their own means is very interesting. You can see the whole thing in about an hour and with the right guide it is an hour very well spent.

the only surviving wooden fort in the U.S., located at the river banks overlooking the bridge with beautiful fall colors, enjoyable walk while learning a lot about it.

We had to wait because it was the weekend. The staff were accommodating enough. It was worth the visit.

enjoyed our tour of Old Fort Western on a rainy day!. We were hesitant at first due to the rain, but found out that a good bit of the tour is inside. Our guide was in correct period clothes and was very knowledgeable about the fort and the people that were affiliated with it.

Great museum, good guides in period costume, great views of the city across the river. The fort often hosts revolutionary reenactments.

For kids this is a great place to run around and explore the guns and forts. For anyone that is interested in American history, it is great to learn more about what went on here several hundred years ago as Maine was just starting out and defending against indians. There's a lot of things here, during the summer especially as local college students work here dressed in theme from those days, helping explain the history, and even soldiers re-enacting thier marches, etc. Quite an experience for what looks like a little old fort from the outside

We tried to check Fort Western out; entered through a wide open area with no signage anywhere about hours, etc. Figured it was one of those historical sites that just opens the doors for people to stroll though, pretty common...Passed by a room with some cute kids in old-timey clothes, smiled, said hi, and then...A lady in similar old-timey clothes got up and bolted to us, stammering and asking/demanding why we were there. "We're just walk-ins," we said smiling, expecting her to welcome us. Instead, we were then quickly and rudely informed no fewer than four times, as we apologized and tried to leave, that "THERE ARE NO WALK INS" and there "THERE ARE NO SELF GUIDED TOURS" as if those things were absolutely insane to expect at a seemingly wide open historic site. She made sure we walked out before turning her back on the likes of us.Look, maybe they had some recent vandalism or something.However, Old-timey dressed lady, if this review is brought to your attention, the proper response to two interested tourists who wandered in a bit before your unposted opening time is "oh hello, I'm sorry, there will be someone to show you around at 10, would you mind coming back?" Something like that. Also, you are not guarding an actual fort. It's some rooms with some replicas and representations of the past in them. We are neither Canadian nor British troops nor invading native Americans. We are a married couple who enjoys learning about American history. Have a nice day (is also something someone in your position might have said.)

It is hard to believe that they put this fort back together and can now give tours of Fort Western. It is well worth taking the time to visit this site.

We looked at the website, saw on others that it was open in the afternoons but no. No signage to indicate it was closed, lots of people milling around trying to get in, but it was locked up tight. Frustrating!

Old Fort Western dates back to the French and Indian War. The original building still exists, and the rest of the fort has been nicely restored. The staff are dressed in period attire and offer tours of the Fort explaining the history and significance of the place. The tour provided and interesting history lesson, and seeing the Fort in person makes the lesson come alive.Our tour was a little awkward because we were the only guests. I suppose some people would like a private tour, but I think it would have been better with other visitors. The buildings at the fort are quite old and are quite dusty and have unusual smells. Still, the fort makes for an interesting quick visit.

My son and I had an hour or so to spend in Augusta. When we pulled up to the Fort, all we knew was that it was high on internet lists of what to do in Augusta. We expected to wander around for a few minutes and then check out the downtown, but it turned out that tours are guided and last about an hour. I was a bit skeptical about the length of time, but we decided to go for it. Wow! We learned so much in that hour about the French and Indian war, about how the history of the Kennebec River fit into the history of Maine and the history of the US overall. We ended up staying for a bit over an hour.Our guide was super knowledgable and friendly, and I know he wasn't one of the knowledgeable and friendly reviewers mentioned in past commentary, as he had only been there for a few weeks!HIghly, highly recommend.

As a native of Maine who left years ago I still go back to visit. I often take my guests to Fort Western. Its such a fun unique place that is a great surprise to many who visit. A good companion book is The Midwives Tale by Martha Ballard. This is her diary chronicling every day life as -you guessed it-being a midwife in Maine. She talks a lot about the local families of Augusta and knowing the back story makes the tour that much more interesting. But beware-the fort has a very limited schedule and closes early in the season.

We weren't sure if this trip would hold the kids' attention for very long. The fort is small and there is only one main building to see. They loved it! Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. She was able to answer many questions we had. The kids were involved in 'loading' the cannon and got to lay on a soldier's bed in the fort. There is so much history in this little place. Our guide mentioned other fort in the area as well that we are tempted to go see.

Old Fort Western is at the site of an old fort that is mentioned in Many books, my favorite is Arundel by Kenneth Roberts, They recreate life as it was, including a day in the spring to show maple syrup making. Fun