Area Visitor Services
Penobscot Narrows Observatory F.A.Q.
Friends of Fort Knox
P.O. Box 456
Bucksport, ME
04416
(207) 469-6553
(207) 469-6906 FAX
fofk1@aol.com
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The Friends of Fort Knox are pleased to offer you an opportunity to promote your business to the thousands of visitors who come to Fort Knox each year by becoming a business partner. Visitor attendance has greatly increased since the opening of the new Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory. Visitors to the 420’ foot high observatory (the only structure like it in the Western Hemisphere) access the structure through Fort Knox.
The Friends have established a brochure area in the Visitor and Education Center for our guests to learn of local businesses that they can visit. Thousands of out of state travelers seek information about other activities, where to stay, dine or shop. We are happy to refer them to our business partners. Friends’ unique special events continue to swell Fort attendance. Civil war reenactments, Medieval Tournament, cannon firings, blacksmith demonstrations, performing artists and our popular “Fright at the Fort” Halloween event, continue to attract a diverse cross section of visitors. By becoming a Friends of Fort Knox business partner, you will have access to the Fort Knox Visitor Center to place brochures, leaflets and/or menus. Friends’ business partners will be listed on the organization’s web site, fortknox.maineguide.com. The Friends of Fort Knox web site receives thousands of hits each month during peak periods.
During the past decade-plus the Friends of Fort Knox have been engaged in the restoration of Maine’s most visited State Historic Site. Friends’ projects include the restoration of the Fort roof, transformation of the Torpedo Shed into the Visitor and Education Center, restoration of the Officers’ Quarters, replacement of the Battery A roof ,repair of the Fort exterior lights, restoration of the 24-pound flank howitzer cannons and carriages original to the Fort (giving the Fort more types of these cannons on display than at any other site in the country), repairing and reopening of the Cistern rooms located in the “enlisted men’s quarters” (which had been closed to the public since the 1980s due to collapsing walls and ceiling), as well as restoring/repointing much of the masonry within the fort. A new project initiative under the Century and a Half project was targeted at stabilizing the retaining walls in Battery B and an adjacent demibastion. In addition, steps have been taken to reduce erosion that contributed to the destabilizing of the retaining walls. This project element is nearly complete. A future project is planned for the 2011 season and will focus on the restoration of a powder magazine located in the northeastern corner of the Fort proper. The magazine has been closed to the public for many years due to serious deterioration to wood floors and walls. By becoming a Friends of Fort Knox business partner you will be helping the Friends continue to preserve the Fort and enhance its economic, educational and cultural value for the community, while simultaneously promoting your business! Please complete the attached Friends of Fort Knox business member application and help us enhance your business! CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE BUSINESS MEMBER APPLICATION