From Fosters.com: Revolution repeat: Locals tour war fort, go back in time in Kittery
KITTERY POINT, Maine -— Visitors stepped back in time and envisioned
life at Fort McClary State Historic Site in the 18th century as cannons
shot presented a living history of a Revolutionary War encampment.
When
the American Revolution began in 1775, the land in Kittery Point and
Fort McClary was confiscated by locals because the owners of this
specific area remained loyal to the British Crown. Many people who lived
in towns along the Maine coast were tense at this time because British
war ships destroyed or captured a lot of land and expected to attack
Kittery and Portsmouth next. Fort McClary and Fort Constitution
(directly across the mouth of the Piscataqua River) were so well guarded
the British never attacked.
On Saturday and Sunday, people from
all around came to tour the fort. The parking lot was packed, even with
the inclement weather the Seacoast faced. Visitors watched the cannons
sink into the Piscataqua River each hour and discovered what camp life
was like during the era.
Volunteers in colonial dress and
uniforms were set up at stations along Fort McClary. Colonial children's
games and craft demonstrations went on all weekend long next to the
Royal Irish Artillery's tents on the Upper Battery near the Block House.
A camp kitchen was also set up under a tent where people were cooking
over a fire pit and cutting up bread, watermelon and cheese for lunch.
One volunteer taught visitors about natural herbs that were used during
the Revolutionary War for healing ailments and wounds that are still
used today. She explained that women would carry these herbs around in
bags to give to their husbands and injured soldiers.
If you have
high blood pressure, she suggests chives. If you have an upset stomach
or lung problems she said to sip on Revolutionary War Tea, which can be
found in today's Earl Grey. Wishing to remain young? The volunteer said
sage can help with that, as well as be used as a toothpaste, deodorant
and a remedy for colds and indigestion.
The weekend event was
sponsored by the Friends of Fort McClary, a nonprofit group that
supports historical preservation and educational and recreational
activities at the historical site in Kittery Point.
