Donation of land opens door to Liberty Village
The Machias Historical Society has received a transformative gift of approximately 94 acres on East Kennebec Road, opening the door to an ambitious new preservation initiative known as Machias Liberty Village.
The Machias Historical Society has received a transformative gift of approximately 94 acres on East Kennebec Road, opening the door to an ambitious new preservation initiative known as Machias Liberty Village. The land, donated by Gayle Kraus, will serve as the foundation for a living history site designed to celebrate the region's Colonial heritage while preserving a significant natural landmark on the property.
Organizers say early plans include the construction of several historically inspired buildings, such as a blacksmith shop, ice house, smokehouse and a blockhouse‑style fort. These structures are intended to reflect the architecture and daily life of the late 18th century, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into early rural Maine.
In addition to the buildings, the society is planning a heritage orchard along with flower and vegetable gardens, reinforcing the agricultural traditions that once sustained families.
At the heart of the project lies Thaxter's Spring, a natural water source with deep historical roots. In the late 18th century, Marshall Thaxter relied on the spring to supply water to his farm. The site also carries a notable Revolutionary‑era connection through Thaxter's extended family. His wife, Sarah, was the sister of John Pulling Jr., the Boston patriot credited with hanging lanterns in the steeple of Old North Church to signal the approach of British troops -- a signal that set in motion the famous midnight ride of Paul Revere in 1775.
Society members are eager to protect and highlight the spring as a centerpiece of Liberty Village. Plans call for a carefully constructed spring house featuring a masonry foundation and 18th‑century‑style timber framing. A new well tile will also be installed to help safeguard and maintain the water source.
Organizers emphasize that preserving Thaxter's Spring is about more than honoring the past. They envision the spring water remaining accessible for generations to come, serving as both a historical symbol and a tangible link to the community's earliest settlers.
Additional information about the volunteers and donors supporting the Machias Liberty Village project is expected to be released in the coming months as planning efforts continue.
With its blend of preservation, education and community involvement, Liberty Village aims to become a landmark destination celebrating the Revolutionary spirit and rural heritage.
Work now under way
The historical society has started clearing land for the project, and large spruce logs harvested from the property are already being milled into timbers that will be used to reconstruct Fort Foster and its blockhouse.
The fort originally stood on the narrow strip of land between the Machias River and the East Machias River, an area locally known as the Rim. The fort was built in 1776 under the supervision of Samuel and Sylvanus Scott and named in honor of local patriot Colonel Benjamin Foster. The structure was intended to defend Machias during the American Revolution. British forces burned the fort and soldiers' quarters in 1777. Today, the earthen berms that once surrounded the fort remain visible from Rim Bridge, where a plaque commemorates the Battle of the Rim.
Because no original plans for the fort survive, the reconstruction team is studying similar forts from the same period that are still standing. Members of the group have visited Fort Howe in Saint John, built in 1777, and Fort Halifax in Winslow, built in 1754, to guide the design.
Tim Beal, who owns a sawmill in Marion Township, is helping lead the timber work for the project. An experienced timber‑frame builder, Beal has been training about eight volunteer reenactors to mill the logs that will form the fort's structure.
Beal is also known for participating in local living‑history events, where he demonstrates traditional timber framing and period wood‑lathe techniques. Project organizers say his expertise has been invaluable to the effort.
Additional materials are also being sourced directly from the property. Cedar logs harvested on‑site will be sawn into shingles for the fort's roof by Philip Gardner, owner of a shingle mill in Whiting. Organizers say all of the wood used in construction will come from the site itself.
Community support for Machias Liberty Village has been strong, organizers say, and they are exploring several ways for supporters to sponsor the construction of the fort and other future buildings.
Plans for the village extend beyond the spring and the fort. Additional future projects include a log cabin, trading post, maple syrup house and meeting house.
When completed, organizers hope the village will become a gathering place where visitors can learn about local history, socialize and develop traditional skills.