Old Fort Western

Join us as we explore life in the 18th century at Old Fort Western in Augusta and celebrate HOME's New England Heritage Days. Your student will be able to participate in one of two programs, Daily Life in the 18th Century for grades K-3, or Life as a French and Indian War Soldier for grades 4 and up.

In Addition! Tours and activities are also planned for the First Amendment Museum where your K-5th grader can participate in some hands-on learning activities to learn about the First Amendment. Students in grades 6-8 will be involved in Supreme Court role playing activities and 9th-12th graders can hone their debate skills in the Great Debate.

Location: Old Fort Western, 16 Cony St., Augusta, ME

Location: First Amendment Museum, 184 State St., Augusta, ME

Dates: Thursday, October 13 and Friday, October 14, 2022

Cost: $8 per person. Please pre-register for this event by September 26. Receive a FREE HOME unit study ebook, The Province of Maine During the Revolutionary War, to accompany your trip when you register! When registering for Fort Western, please choose only one session per age group.

Admission to the First Amendment Museum is FREE for all ages.

Recommended Age Range: Grades K - 12

Parking: Free parking is available onsite

Directions 

Suggested Overnight Accommodations

Please Pre-register using the form at the bottom of the page, no later than September 26. 

*Participants in all HOME events and activities are required to follow the COVID guidelines set forth by individual venue hosts. Following CDC guidelines is also recommended.

Thursday October 13, 2022 

Old Fort Western

 9:30 - 9:45am - Arrive at Old Fort Western

10am - 11:30am - Daily Life in the 18th Century (grades K-3) (full)

This program will immerse students in daily 18th century life.  Participants will do a hearth-based activity, such as food preparation; a wood related activity, such as sawing wood for household use; a textile related activity, such as weaving or carding and spinning wool, and a bed chamber activity where they make an 18th century “bed” and learn about public and private space.  All these activities are designed to help students better understand the nature of daily life among ordinary citizens in post-Revolutionary Maine. Depending on group size, weather, or season, other activities such as games and gardening may be added or substituted.  

11:30am - Lunch. Extend your stay by packing a picnic lunch and visiting neighboring Waterfront Park and Rec area located on Front St. in Augusta, just behind Old Fort Western.

12:30pm - 2:00pm - Daily Life in the 18th Century (second session - grades K-3) (full)

First Amendment Museum

9:30 to 9:45am - Arrive at the First Amendment Museum

10:00am - 12:00pm - Supreme Court Role Playing (grades 6-8)

It’s the students’ turn to sit on the Supreme Court bench and decide precedent-setting cases!

12:00pm - Lunch. Extend your stay by packing a picnic lunch at nearby Capitol Park, 33 Union St. Augusta.

1:00pm - 3:00pm - The Great Debate (grades 9 - 12)

Students learn and practice their debating skills in this moderated activity. 

Friday, October 14, 2022 

9:30 - 9:45am - Arrive at Old Fort Western

10am - 12:00pm - Life as a French and Indian War Soldier (grades 4 and up) (full)

Participants will learn about the events that led up to the French and Indian War (The Seven Years War), the life of a provincial soldier in service to the King and discuss life on the Kennebec from Cushnoc to Fort Western (1628-1767). As members of James Howard’s Company, they will explore the cause and effect of this war which occurred before the American Revolution and experience the daily living conditions of the soldiers during that time in the orderly room and the barracks.  They will also learn about the mission of the soldiers and how they prepared to defend the Fort as they drill on the parade grounds and fire cannon in the blockhouse.  

12:00pm - Lunch. Extend your stay by packing a picnic lunch and visiting neighboring Waterfront Park and Rec area located on Front St. in Augusta, just behind Old Fort Western.

1:00pm - 3:00pm - Life as a French and Indian War Soldier (second session - grades 4 and up (full)

First Amendment Museum

9:30 to 9:45am - Arrive at the First Amendment Museum

10:00am - 12:00am - Hands-on Learning (grades K-5) (full)

Students analyze and discuss interesting objects and artifacts that demonstrate First Amendment freedoms.

12:00pm - Lunch. Extend your stay by packing a picnic lunch at nearby Capitol Park, 33 Union St. Augusta.

* Event Refund Policy - Registration fees may be refunded up to the registration deadline for this event. No refunds will be made after the registration deadline. In the event that you must cancel, please consider making your fee a donation to HOME rather than requesting a refund! If an event must be canceled or rescheduled for any reason, HOME will notify participants. Refunds will then be considered on a case by case basis, depending on whether or not the event is rescheduled.