Tourist Attractions in Augusta, Maine. Tourist Attractions in Augusta, Maine include The Children's Museum of Maine, Old Fort Western, State House/Maine State Museum, and tours of the State Capitol Building.
The Children's Museum of Maine
Located right in the center town. It has two floors full of interactive displays. There is a pretend diner, post office, grocery store, and stage where they can put on their own plays. There are arts and crafts, musical instruments, a reading room, a game room, and a slide with sand. It's a nice museum.
Located right in the center town. It has two floors full of interactive displays. There is a pretend diner, post office, grocery store, and stage where they can put on their own plays. There are arts and crafts, musical instruments, a reading room, a game room, and a slide with sand. It's a nice museum.
Old Fort Western
www.oldfortwestern.org
(207) 626-2385
Old Fort Western, on the banks of the Kennebec River in downtown Augusta, was built in 1754. It is a national historic landmark and America's oldest surviving wooden fort. It is at the head of the navigable waters of the river. Supplies were shipped here from Boston about three times per year and stored at the fort until they could be brought by flat bottom boat to Fort Halifax. It was used as a trading post and for protection during the American Revolution. One the most prominent people who actually stayed at the Fort was Benedict Arnold. He stayed there for about a week back in 1775 when he was making an assault on Quebec City. Visitors can go on the grounds, tour the old store, and tour the house where the family that ran the post lived. There are many special events throughout the year celebrating the history of the fort.
State House/Maine State Museum
www.mainestatemuseum.org
(207) 287-2301
The Maine State Museum is a three-story museum with exceptional exhibits presenting Maine's history.
1. Back to Nature includes natural history scenes that show the changing seasons while featuring the habitats of many of the plants and animals found in Maine.
2. 12,000 Years in Maine focuses on Maine archaeology and prehistoric life.
3. The main floor of the museum is devoted to the historical origins of Maine's resource-based industries and agriculture such as the granite quarrying, wood harvesting and the sea.
4. There is an exhibit that focuses on Maine's colonization and the struggle to settle here.
5. The Made in Maine exhibit celebrates Maine's working people. A variety of home, shop, mill, and factory settings, complemented by displays of Maine-made products, surround a re-assembled 1840s water-powered woodworking mill.
6. The museum also includes beautiful Maine gemstone exhibits and the development of colorful glass that was manufactured in Maine.
From a locomotive steam engine to lumber mills, this museum is quite impressive.
Free guided tours of the Maine State Capitol building can be scheduled Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
