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Showing posts with label Fort Knox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fort Knox. Show all posts

Sunday, October 20, 2013

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

















Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Observatory Open Early


Fort Knox and Penobscot Narrows Observatory Will Open Early
Editor: David Mills


BUCKSPORT, ME - The Friends of Fort Knox today announced that the Fort Knox State Historic Site and Penobscot Narrows Observatory, will open two-days early, on Sunday, April 29th, at 9 AM. The Friends recently signed a three-year lease agreement with the Maine Department of Conservation’s Bureau of Parks and Lands assuming all management functions for the State Historic site. Friend’s staff operates the Penobscot Narrows Observatory under a separate contract with the Maine Department of Transportation.

Friends’ executive director, Leon Seymour, said that the recent good weather has allowed operations staff to get a good jump on opening procedures for the fort. The Maine Department of Transportation has been busy preparing the observatory for the upcoming season.

Fort Knox and the observatory will remain open daily through October 31 (Halloween). The Fort opens daily at 9 AM and remains open until sunset. The observatory remains open until 5 PM, except July and August, when hours extend until 6 PM.

The Friends have planned a busy season of special events for this season including Civil War Weekend, Tribute to Elton John, Medieval Tournament, Pirate Day, Psychic/Paranormal Faire and more. For a complete list of upcoming special events at Fort Knox and state set fees go to the Friends of Fort Knox web site: fortknox.maineguide.com

Another new development will be taking place at the attraction this year. Recent the Friends’ Board of Directors approved funding for additional weeks of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge. Historically, the Maine Department of Transportation has illuminated the bridge from July through Labor Day. The Friends funding will allow bridge illumination from June 21 and after Labor Day, through Halloween. The Friends Board made this decision to increase the potential positive impact for local businesses.