Could Historic Fort Gorges in Casco Bay Be Portland, Maine’s Next Live Music Venue?

Historical landmark Fort Gorges is in the process of some necessary safety repairs and preservation efforts. This six-sided, grass-roofed structure dates back to the War of 1812 and the Civil War and serves as a mysterious and fascinating welcome to inner Portland Harbor and Casco Bay.

Fort Gorges is a favorite spot to explore although it is only reachable by private boat with no dockage. Once you're there, you have free range of the hallways, rooms, and courtyards of the fort.

A press release from October 2016 explained that the work is being completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in collaboration with the Friends of Fort Gorges, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of the fort. The renovations have begun in full force this week according to the Friends of Fort Gorges Facebook page.

The safety improvements include new railings and gates, repairs to an existing staircase, and other projects. The most surprising note included in the early press release, though, concerns the future hopes for the space beyond just a cool historical exploration site.

Through making these repairs, the City hopes to bring the structure up to a standard where organized groups will be able to utilize the Fort for historical tours, musical and theater performances, and other public events.

Really? Live music, theater performances, and other events could be super cool in the setting of a Civil War era fort. Those events could also detract from the true historic nature of the fort. I'm torn!

Read more about the repairs on the Friends of Fort Gorges website and stay current with the renovations on the Facebook page. The fort will remain open for at-your-own-risk tours throughout the preservation efforts, unless the main entrance is blocked.