Drive down the Pemaquid peninsula and step back into the history of 18th century Maine at Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site on Saturday, Aug. 8. Meet up with Fletcher’s Scouting Company, a group of re-enactors who bring to life the exploits of an 18th century military unit of the same name that operated in the area that is now Thomaston, Maine. Visitors will have a chance to observe and interact as the Scouting Company demonstrates camp life, military training and tactics used during the many skirmishes and small battles of this period. This is a free event.

Historically, the soldiers of Fletcher’s Scouting Company patrolled the Maine woods to protect the settlements from attack by Native Americans and their French allies. The soldiers would have had no drill manual. What they did have was experience in the art of la petite guerre (the little war) on the Maine frontier.  They were organized to operate in tactical support for a larger body of soldiers (British regulars or colonials), although they were officially not a part of such military groups. Primarily they offered information and advance warning of enemy activity based on their scouting and patrolling of the woods.

The grounds of Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site in New Harbor include a reconstructed fort with permanent exhibits, archaeological ruins, a recreated 17th century thatched roof dwelling, cemetery, artifact museum and gift shop. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Colonial Pemaquid offers a glimpse of English frontier settlement life in the New World during the 17th and 18th century. 

Visitors are invited to return to Colonial Pemaquid on Monday evening, August 10 for an evening lecture entitled “Maine’s Early Tidal Mills,” when Bud Warren will discuss how, next to fishing, the early Maine economy was bas ed on timber and tides. Lecture starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Contented Sole Restaurant adjacent to the museum.

Colonial Pemaquid is located off Route 130, approximately 12 miles south of Route 1 and 3 miles north of the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse. From Route 130 South, in New Harbor, turn right onto Huddle Road and follow signs to Colonial Pemaquid. From Route 32 South, turn left onto Route 130 and then immediately right onto Snowball Hill Road, following signs to Colonial Pemaquid. The Contented Sole Restaurant is adjacent to the museum.

For more information, visit our website at www.FriendsofColonialPemaquid.org, or you may contact the park manager at 207-677-2423.