In the early 19th century, Wiscasset was an important shipbuilding port on the U.S. East Coast. In 1808, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned a series of blockhouse fortresses to protect important American port cities from British attack.

Fort Edgecomb was one of those blockhouses. Now, 217 years later, it is the only one standing. Fort Edgecomb State Park Ranger Liz Seaton shared that bit of trivia with tourists Aug. 9 during a special open house sponsored by Edgecomb Historical Society at the historic fort. 

Seaton is the only Fort Edgecomb State Park employee. She provides tours five days per week during the summer. But Aug. 9 was a special day. It was part Edgecomb Historical Society's celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The open house included free guided tours, Blanchard’s Ice Cream, historical exhibits, and live music performed by the Broken Hipsters, a string band. 

One of the first things Seaton told a visitor was the blockhouse is part of the fort. "The fort is the entire grounds: the battery, barracks, blockhouse and all other surrounding lands make up Fort Edgecomb. So, the blockhouse isn't the fort. It's only a part of it."

She explained, the octagonal blockhouse was designed to protect the battery, a group of artillery near the shoreline to ward off invaders. "This was a 'castle' of a fort in its day," she said. "It was built on Davis Island's highest point so American soldiers could see all around the island. Of all the blockhouses built to ward off a British invasion, Edgecomb is the last one standing," Seaton said.

In 2024, Becky Schaffner joined Edgecomb Historical Society. She is now the president. "We knew we wanted to do something with the fort to celebrate America's 250th. So, somebody gave me Liz's (Seaton) name and we began coordinating this event about five months ago," she said. 

The open house attracted a Michigan family visiting Wiscasset. Kevin Ritchie brought wife Janice, daughter Faith, and Faith's fiancé, Mike Moore, to the fort. The family came to Wiscasset for a wedding and a relative told them about the open house. "We had some time before our whale watching so we came here," Kevin Ritchie said. "It was a great tour, and I really appreciated all the knowledge about the fort."

Several years ago, a resident found a miniature Fort Edgecomb in their garage and donated it to the state. Seaton doesn't know who donated the miniature fort or created it. "It is a beautiful replica. It must have been some sort of school project, and we'd love to know who created it," she said. 

The miniature fort is now displayed inside the blockhouse. Fort construction began in 1808 and was completed in 1809. It is a two-story octagonal wooden blockhouse. On Oct. 1, 1969, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, according to the town website.