The Portland daily press., 1880-09-24
MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Field Day at Castine.

Owing to the fog and threatening aspect of
the weather but few of those intending to go
TO Castne to attend the Historical Societys
field day ON Tuesday,-not more than twelve
or fifteen from Portland, were on board the
train. The weather steadily improved as the
train proceeded and the party was augmented
at each large town. On going on board the
steamer at Rockland there were large num-
Der OF passengers who enjoyed a fine sail in
crossing Penobscot Bay. 1t was nearly
o'clock when the boat arrived at the old histor-
ic town of Castine The whole town was alive
and ready to welcome the party. In prepar-
ing for the visit of the society an elaborate col
lation was spread in the Normal School build
ing to which the party were invited and well
coined by the citizens-ladies and gentlemen.
Especially noticeable were the young ladies
who served as walters, for their beauty and de-
pertinent.
After dinner the company were invited to
the large hall in the second story where the
formal exercises were he Id. The society and
their friends were welcomed by the Rev. Mr..
Edes in well-ftting remarks, and in the alb.
sence of the president, Professor Packard, the
secretary replied for the society, briefly but to
the point. To further the objects of the socie-
ty the citizens had organized committees for
the preparations, andhad with much labor un-
covered the foundations OF Baron Castin's fort
constructed about 1850 and found the stone
work more extensive and perfect than las ex-
pected. The well within the works was an
object of especial curiosity. 1t was of oval
form, stoned up very workmanlike, with thin
slate stones and yet as perfect as when finished
two centuries ago. In the excavations, the
gateway entrance was discovered, and the
hinges and heavy irons to secure the gate were
found with many iron impleme nts such as
axes and hatchets, of all shapes, numerous
bolts, lead, iron and stone shot, with many
things whose former use could not be de-
termined. These and numerous other relics
of different periods-mementos of different
national occupations and their Notifications
were spread on long table and explained by
several,gentlemen of the town who were per-
fectly competent to do it. The copper plate,
commemorating the laying of the foundation
of Castins chapel in 1850 by Catholic friar,
was exhibited. Among the articles Of especial
palisades taken from the shore in front of
Castin's fort, which had been covered by each
tide, which had preserved them as perfect as
when driven. The end of one of them showed
the crushing of the wood by being driven
against stone. Manuscript proclamations
and order books left by the British officers at
their evacuation were shown. In fact a de-
scription of all the relics, Notifications, old
cannon and documents would fill volume
The session in the hall, visit to Castln's fort
and some other historic localities, occupied the
whole afternoon. The boat with most of the
party left at O'Clock for the return, but some
half dozen Portlanders remained for fur
Their investigation in this interesting locality,
and perhaps at the site of Fort Pownall in
Prospect built in 1859, where is the burial
place of Brigadier-General Samuel Waldo,
one of the most notable men of New England
at that time