Kennebec Arsenal facts for kids
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Kennebec Arsenal
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Kennebec Arsenal
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Augusta, Maine |
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| NRHP reference No. | 70000046 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 25, 1970 |
| Designated NHLD | February 16, 2000 |
The Kennebec Arsenal is a special historic place in Augusta, Maine. It was built a long time ago to store weapons and supplies for the United States military. It's located right on Arsenal Street, near the Kennebec River.
This arsenal was mostly built between 1828 and 1838. It became very important because of disagreements over the border with New Brunswick, a neighboring area. Today, it's known as a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a very important historical site. It's one of the best examples of an early 1800s military storage facility that is still mostly complete.
Soldiers stayed at the arsenal until 1901. After that, the land was given to the State of Maine. It became part of the Augusta Mental Health Institute, a hospital that helped people with mental health needs. The state used the old arsenal buildings for the hospital for many years.
Contents
Why the Kennebec Arsenal Was Built
The War of 1812 showed the United States that it needed better ways to protect its coast. Some towns in Maine were even taken over during that war. Also, there was a big argument with New Brunswick about where the border between them should be.
Things got tense in the 1820s as both sides wanted to develop the disputed land. Because of this, the government decided to build a major arsenal in Augusta, Maine. Augusta was a good choice because it was easy to reach by boat on the Kennebec River. Plans for the arsenal were made in 1827, and building started in 1828.
Building the Arsenal's Structures
Between 1828 and 1831, many important buildings were constructed. These included homes for the commander and other officers, barracks for soldiers, stables for horses, a shop for making carriages, and the main armory. Most of these big buildings were made from strong granite stone.
More construction happened between 1832 and 1838. The officers' homes were made bigger and given a popular style called Greek Revival. Large and small storage buildings for ammunition, called magazines, were also built. A special lab for making munitions was added too. A strong fence made of granite and iron was put around the property for protection. An office building was also built, partly using stones from an old stable that was rebuilt somewhere else.
The Border Dispute and Peace
The border argument became very serious in 1838. Both Maine and New Brunswick prepared their local armies to go to the disputed area. The United States sent General Winfield Scott to the arsenal in Augusta. He was able to talk with New Brunswick's leader, John Harvey, who was his friend. They worked out a way for both sides to calm down their forces.
The border was finally set in its current place by a treaty in 1842. This agreement was called the Webster–Ashburton Treaty.
Changes Over Time
After the border was settled, the Kennebec Arsenal became less important. It was still used to make weapons for wars like the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. However, it was too far away to be a major factory for weapons. So, only small changes were made to the arsenal before it closed in 1901.
Some buildings, like the armory and carriage shop, were moved closer to the river. A fire station and a few wooden buildings were also added to the property.
The Arsenal Becomes a Hospital
When the federal government closed the arsenal, the property was given to the State of Maine. The state used the land to make the nearby Augusta Mental Health Institute bigger. This hospital helped people who needed special care for their mental health.
All the wooden buildings were taken down. The carriage shop and fire station were also removed. The strong granite buildings were changed to fit the hospital's needs. These changes did not greatly alter the inside layout of most of the old buildings. The Augusta Mental Health Institute closed in 2004. The arsenal property was then sold to a company that wanted to fix it up, but with rules to protect its history.
Efforts to Restore the Arsenal
Around 2006, there were plans to fix up the Kennebec Arsenal. However, not much work was done, and the buildings were damaged by vandals. The owner said that a difficult economy made it hard to repair and take care of the property.
Over time, the State of Maine became concerned about the damage. They wanted the owner to protect the historic buildings from vandals and bad weather. The owner began to make some repairs and discuss the future of the property with state officials.
By late 2013, good progress was being made. Five out of the six main buildings had new roofs or were getting them. Windows were sealed up or covered to protect them. The owner also shared some ideas for the site. He planned to turn the gatehouse into offices and the barracks into homes and more office space. State officials were happy with the repairs, and discussions continued to help restore this important historic site.
