Fort William Henry, Colonial defense fort in New Harbor, Maine.
Fort William Henry is a stone fortification in New Harbor made up of rectangular walls surrounding a central tower. The structure contains military artifacts and exhibits that show visitors how the fort was built and used.
The Governor of Massachusetts ordered this fortress built in 1692 to protect New England's northern border from French attacks. It fell to French forces in 1696, marking a turning point in the region's colonial conflicts.
The site illustrates the tensions between English settlers, French forces, and Native peoples competing for control of the region. You can see how these groups shaped the colonial frontier through their interactions and conflicts.
You can climb the stone bastion to enjoy views of the surrounding bay and get a better sense of the fort's layout. The excavation sites near the entrance provide additional insight into how archaeologists have studied the site over time.
The fort required approximately 2,000 cartloads of stone to build, yet poor mortar and an exposed water supply made it vulnerable to attack. These structural weaknesses played a key role in its eventual capture by French forces.
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