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Machias Historical Society Receives 94-Acre Gift for “Machias Liberty Village” Project
The Machias Historical Society has received a transformative gift of approximately 94 acres on East Kennebec Road, opening the door to an ambitious new preservation initiative known as Machias Liberty Village.
The land, donated by Gayle Kraus, will serve as the foundation for a living history site designed to celebrate the region’s colonial heritage while preserving a significant natural landmark on the property.
Organizers say early plans include the construction of several historically inspired buildings, such as a blacksmith shop, ice house, smoke house and a blockhouse-style fort. These structures are intended to reflect the architecture and daily life of the late 18th century, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into early rural Maine.
In addition to the buildings, the Society is planning a heritage orchard along with flower and vegetable gardens, reinforcing the agricultural traditions that once sustained families in the area.
At the heart of the project lies Thaxter’s Spring, a natural water source with deep historical roots. In the late 18th century, Marshall Thaxter relied on the spring to supply water to his farm. The site also carries a notable Revolutionary-era connection through Thaxter’s extended family.
Thaxter’s wife, Sarah, was the sister of John Pulling Jr., the Boston patriot credited with hanging lanterns in the steeple of Old North Church to signal the approach of British troops — a signal that set in motion the famous midnight ride of Paul Revere in 1775.
Society members are especially eager to protect and highlight the spring as a centerpiece of Liberty Village. Plans call for a carefully constructed spring house featuring a masonry foundation and 18th-century-style timber framing. A new well tile will also be installed to help safeguard and maintain the water source.
Organizers emphasize that preserving Thaxter’s Spring is about more than honoring the past. They envision the spring water remaining accessible for generations to come, serving as both a historical symbol and a tangible link to the community’s earliest settlers.
Additional information about the volunteers and donors supporting the Machias Liberty Village project is expected to be released in the coming months as planning efforts continue.
With its blend of preservation, education and community involvement, Liberty Village promises to become a landmark destination celebrating Machias’s enduring Revolutionary spirit and rural heritage.
The land, donated by Gayle Kraus, will serve as the foundation for a living history site designed to celebrate the region’s colonial heritage while preserving a significant natural landmark on the property.
Organizers say early plans include the construction of several historically inspired buildings, such as a blacksmith shop, ice house, smoke house and a blockhouse-style fort. These structures are intended to reflect the architecture and daily life of the late 18th century, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into early rural Maine.
In addition to the buildings, the Society is planning a heritage orchard along with flower and vegetable gardens, reinforcing the agricultural traditions that once sustained families in the area.
At the heart of the project lies Thaxter’s Spring, a natural water source with deep historical roots. In the late 18th century, Marshall Thaxter relied on the spring to supply water to his farm. The site also carries a notable Revolutionary-era connection through Thaxter’s extended family.
Thaxter’s wife, Sarah, was the sister of John Pulling Jr., the Boston patriot credited with hanging lanterns in the steeple of Old North Church to signal the approach of British troops — a signal that set in motion the famous midnight ride of Paul Revere in 1775.
Society members are especially eager to protect and highlight the spring as a centerpiece of Liberty Village. Plans call for a carefully constructed spring house featuring a masonry foundation and 18th-century-style timber framing. A new well tile will also be installed to help safeguard and maintain the water source.
Organizers emphasize that preserving Thaxter’s Spring is about more than honoring the past. They envision the spring water remaining accessible for generations to come, serving as both a historical symbol and a tangible link to the community’s earliest settlers.
Additional information about the volunteers and donors supporting the Machias Liberty Village project is expected to be released in the coming months as planning efforts continue.
With its blend of preservation, education and community involvement, Liberty Village promises to become a landmark destination celebrating Machias’s enduring Revolutionary spirit and rural heritage.
MLV Volunteers plan to reconstruct Foster's Fort
Machias Liberty Village plans to reconstruct Fort Foster’s Blockhouse fort.
Machias - The Machias Historical Society has begun clearing land for Machias Liberty Village. Large spruce logs harvested from the site are being milled for timbers to recreate the fort.
Fort Foster was built on the strip of land between the Machias River and the East Machias River which is known as the Rim. Samuel and Sylavanus Scott oversaw the construction of the fort which was named in honor of a local patriot named Colonel Benjamin Foster. The fort was built in 1776 for the defense of Machias. The British burned the fort and soldiers quarters in 1777. The earthen berms that surrounded the fort are still visible from Rim Bridge and there is a plaque on the bridge that memorializes the Battle of the Rim.
The fort is being designed from similar forts which are still standing that were built in the time period. The group has traveled to Fort Howe in St. John, New Brunswick which was built in 1777 and to Fort Halifax which was built in 1754 in Winslow, Maine
Tim Beal who owns a sawmill in Marion Township is an experienced timber frame builder. He has been training about 8 volunteer reenactors to mill the logs for the fort. Tim has participated in local living history events where he demonstrates timber framing and period correct wood lathe instruction. Tim is a valuable advisor for the project.
Cedar logs were also harvested at the site and Philip Gardner who owns a shingle mill in Whiting is planning to saw them into cedar shingles for the fort’s roof. All of the wood used for construction will come from the property.
Local excitement and support for Machias Liberty Village has been tremendous. The project organizers are considering a variety of ways for supporters to sponsor the construction of the fort and future projects.
Future projects planned include a blacksmith shop, ice house, smoke house, log cabin, trading post, maple syrup house and meeting house. Machias Liberty Village will be a place to not only learn about history. It will be a place to socialize and learn new skills.
Machias - The Machias Historical Society has begun clearing land for Machias Liberty Village. Large spruce logs harvested from the site are being milled for timbers to recreate the fort.
Fort Foster was built on the strip of land between the Machias River and the East Machias River which is known as the Rim. Samuel and Sylavanus Scott oversaw the construction of the fort which was named in honor of a local patriot named Colonel Benjamin Foster. The fort was built in 1776 for the defense of Machias. The British burned the fort and soldiers quarters in 1777. The earthen berms that surrounded the fort are still visible from Rim Bridge and there is a plaque on the bridge that memorializes the Battle of the Rim.
The fort is being designed from similar forts which are still standing that were built in the time period. The group has traveled to Fort Howe in St. John, New Brunswick which was built in 1777 and to Fort Halifax which was built in 1754 in Winslow, Maine
Tim Beal who owns a sawmill in Marion Township is an experienced timber frame builder. He has been training about 8 volunteer reenactors to mill the logs for the fort. Tim has participated in local living history events where he demonstrates timber framing and period correct wood lathe instruction. Tim is a valuable advisor for the project.
Cedar logs were also harvested at the site and Philip Gardner who owns a shingle mill in Whiting is planning to saw them into cedar shingles for the fort’s roof. All of the wood used for construction will come from the property.
Local excitement and support for Machias Liberty Village has been tremendous. The project organizers are considering a variety of ways for supporters to sponsor the construction of the fort and future projects.
Future projects planned include a blacksmith shop, ice house, smoke house, log cabin, trading post, maple syrup house and meeting house. Machias Liberty Village will be a place to not only learn about history. It will be a place to socialize and learn new skills.
WABI 5 Wonderful news article about Machias Liberty Village
Machias Liberty Village Channel 5 news Interview
Survey of Machias Liberty Village
Gracious gift of 94 acres to create and preserve our heritage. Work is ongoing and we have a very dedicated team creating Machias Liberty Village, Excitement is building with the land made ready and timbers being milled from the trees felled on site. Plans are in place and being updated frequently. Our community is engaged and very excited with this project. Volunteers are welcome!
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