HOUSE ISLAND CELEBRATES 200^TH ANNIVERSARY OF FORT SCAMMELL

In celebration of the Fort’s 200^th anniversary residents of House Island are hosting "Behind the Wall" tours of Fort Scammell. Part of the original 1808 brick wall has recently been excavated, and vine weed has been cleared from the gun emplacements for better viewing. Fort Scammell was originally built in 1808 as a semi circle, whitewashed, brick wall with 11 guns and a large 8-sided wooden blockhouse behind it. Secretary of War Henry Dearborn of Maine named the Fort in honor of his friend Colonel Alexander Scammell (1747-1781), an Adjutant General of the Continental Army, who was killed at the Battle of Yorktown, Virginia. Of all the Forts in Casco Bay, Fort Scammell was the only Fort to ever exchange fire in battle. In early August 1813 the fort shot at a British privateer in White Head passage, and the ship returned fire even though it was out of range.

House Island in its entirety is privately owned, including its beaches. Mrs. Hilda Cushing-Dudley purchased the fort and adjacent land 52 years ago to keep the fort from being torn down. She acquired the rest of the island the following year. The "Behind the Walls" tours are held each Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to11:30a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please call Captain Hal Cushing, 207-776-4673, or Captain Karen Lannon, 207-632-8842 for reservations. We also host private outings for weddings, corporate events, family and school reunions. For information about House Island, visit us at: www.HouseIslandMaine.com. For more information about the fort, go to: www.FortScammel.com.