Richmond Fort, which once commanded and protected the Kennebec River frontier, has been uncovered in the most complete archeological excavation ever conducted of a military installation from the French and Indian War period. 

Leith Smith of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and lead archaeologist on the dig, will describe the effort on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 2 p.m. in the courtroom of the Pownalborough Court House in Dresden.

Excavation of the Richmond Fort was required by state law before work could commence on areas that would be impacted by the Richmond/Dresden Bridge, which is now under construction.

The first structure to be built at the Richmond Fort was a garrison house, constructed in 1721 by the Pejepscot Proprietors in their effort to settle the area. With the outbreak of Dummer’s War in 1722, the garrison was expanded into a major frontier fort.

Several years later, in anticipation of a new outbreak of fighting between settlers and Native Peoples, the Fort was rebuilt and greatly enlarged. This later Fort stood from about 1740 until its decommissioning circa 1755.

In his talk, Smith will explain how initial investigations determined that the site was well preserved and eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

He will discuss the process of investigation and discovery, including the types and range of features found on this complex site. He will show how the evidence comes together to reveal the history of the Fort and the people who occupied it.

The lecture concludes Lincoln County Historical Association’s 2013 Talk at Two series.

The Lincoln County Historical Association is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that provides stewardship for the 1754 Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta, the 1761 Pownalborough Court House in Dresden and the 1811 Old Jail and Museum in Wiscasset.

For more information about volunteer opportunities at any of the sites, visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org.