Roxanne Cole talked about the Rotary visit to Fort Gorges last year, then she introduced our speaker Paul Drinan, Executive Director of the nonprofit Friends of Fort Gorges (FoFoGo). Their mission is to restore Fort Gorges to make it safe and keep it accessible to future generations. They believe in its historical significance, as well as its educational and cultural potential.

FoFoGo was started in 2000 by local folks. They were able to get the City of Portland to put the flagpole in place and they performed an engineering study....then the group fizzled out. In 2011, Tom Stonehouse tried to resurrect the group, but was not successful. In 2014, the present FoFoGo Group convened, with the original board of directors reformed. In 2015, they received non-profit status. In 2016, programs started including educational, social, and engineering. In 2017, a second engineering study was commissioned, and is due to be completed this summer.

FoFoGo is committed to restoration, preservation, and stewardship of the fort. Goals include keeping the use of the fort appropriate. The Master Plan starts with a preservation plan, and the first step is the contract for the engineering study which has been awarded, and includes a structural assessment. Based on the study, repair and strengthening of temporary shoring and cribbing will be starting this year. Brick archways are crumbling and need to be addressed, very soon. The US Army Corps of Engineers will be implementing safety plans which include railings, grates, and stabilizing.

The Master Plan also includes funding an economic impact study, and training docents. Most people do not realize that 5,000 people visited the fort last year. It is estimated that the fort has a $1,000,000 contribution to the community now, which could be much greater once the plans to increase access are realized. FoFoGo is working on getting people involved, by creating a public forum to accept input. Stakeholder meetings have begun. The structural assessment costing $14,000 was funded with grants and private donations. Volunteers are working on projects.

Fort Gorges has historic significance, as well as excellent economic potential. The fort was built as one of 3....Fort Preble, Fort Scammel and Fort Gorges, in order to triangulate cannon fire to protect the harbor. Ultimately, tours of all three sites are being planned. There are plans to have the Portland Symphony perform a Pops concert at the fort, and a Shakespeare Festival is being planned. Fort Gorges will be a living classroom with historic tours. Maine teachers are already developing curriculum.

Lots of kayak visitors have been to the fort, but the hope is to bring many more people. Portland Rotary’s visit in 2016 was part of that effort, and the visit planned for 2017 will expand it.

Questions:  
What can we do to help?
    Tell the fort’s story; Visit fort; Provide inspirational to the community, Donate

    Immediate budget needs will be determined after engineering study due this year.

    Join the mailing list, which currently has 1500 people on it

Are there technology limitations?
    First it is necessary to make it safe.

    They may need to remove vegetation, to protect the structure, like at Fort Popham. 

By show of hands President Laura received support for a return Rotary trip scheduled for Sat. June 24 or Sun. June  25. Save the date! 

For more information, go to: www.friendsoffortgorges.org