Fort Knox Gallery

“Preserving an Historic Maine Jewel...”
The Friends of Fort Knox
[http://fortknox.maineguide.com]

"The Friends of Fort Knox mission is to preserve/restore Fort Knox and enhance its educational, cultural and economic value for the people of Maine.

A few years ago Fort Knox, Maine’s most-visited state historic site, was on the brink of collapse due to structural deterioration from a leaking roof. Organized by the Friends of Fort Knox, thousands rallied to help the Bureau of Parks and Lands save the Fort. The roof was repaired at a fraction of expected cost, and this volunteer-driven partnership between state government and the Friends of Fort Knox became a model for other Maine parks and their host communities.

Some of the most articulate and effective of these volunteers were children. When students learned that the Fort was endangered, they rose to its defense. The heart of their campaign, in the letters they wrote, the penny drives and yard sales they organized, was a slogan drawn on a postcard by a middle school student from Searsport: “Fort Knox is our past, Fort Knox is our future.”

During the American Revolution and again during the War of 1812, British naval forces controlled the lower stretch of the Penobscot River. Fort Knox was built during the mid-19th century to thwart a third British invasion that never came. However, the story of how and why the Fort was built is a compelling tale of Maine’s Golden Age as the Lumber Capital of the World.

The Friends believe that by working in partnership with creative local organizations, the Fort will become an historic resource and a venue for Mid-Coast Maine talent. A summer-long series of historic reenactments, seminars, music, drama, local craft work and art, will make the Fort a must-see destination for local residents and tourists alike

You, your family, and friends can also help the Friends of Fort Knox achieve these exciting goals by becoming a member. We encourage you to donate funds, investments, or materials to the capital campaign; or become a volunteer with the organization.

The Friends of Fort Knox have mobilized statewide support to save Maine's most popular state historic site using volunteer labor, in-kind donations, and grassroots fundraising including this home page.

The Fort is in need of serious repair and upkeep in which state and local funds are not available for the extent of such work. Fort Knox truly belongs to people like you reading this on your computer, Fort Knox belongs to all of us. We all need to preserve some of our few precious sites and heritage in which we experienced the joy and awe, so our children can do the same.

Please come visit Fort Knox, you won't forget the breathtaking experience and please support Friends of Fort Knox so our future generations will have a chance to visit the Fort.

To make a tax deductible donation, find out how you can help, or for information regarding educational resources at the Fort, contact:

The Friends of Fort Knox
P.O. Box 456
Bucksport, Maine 04416

(207) 469-6553
(207) 469-6906 FAX