By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

Some are hoping a ruined relic can be turned into a visitor’s attraction if funds can be raised for Battery Blair in Fort Williams Park.

The Fort Williams Advisory Commission, assisted by the Fort Williams Charitable Foundation, is seeking donations to study the feasibility of the project.

The commission will take the lead on obtaining the funds after getting unanimous approval from the Cape Elizabeth Town Council April 12.

Maintenance and improvements in Fort Williams Park are paid for by local taxes and contributions from the foundation. 

Established in summer 2001, the Fort Williams Charitable Foundation’s primary purpose is to raise funds for the preservation and improvement of Fort Williams Park. It is not controlled by or supported by the town.

On June 8, Cape Elizabeth residents will decide by referendum if they want to implement a parking fee at the fort. The extra revenue would be used to defray the cost of maintaining the park. 

Battery Blair, built in 1903, needs approximately $1 to $1.5 million of restoration work, said Chuck Wilson, a member of the Fort Williams Advisory Commission.

Originally, Battery Blair was equipped with two 12-inch guns. In 1975 the large gun emplacements were mostly buried, leaving only the upper level of the battery exposed.

Battery Blair has a prominent location at Fort Williams, next to the main parking lot and behind Portland Head light. More than 10 years ago, as part of the 100^th anniversary of the 1899 naming of Fort Williams, the one exposed gun platform at Battery Blair was outfitted with signs that detail the history of the fort and battery.

Currently, the battery has a memorial, dedication plaque, new granite steps and stone retaining wall.

The renovations might include excavating and exposing old gun emplacements, exposing underlying structures, recovering and displaying artifacts and creating a replica of a disappearing gun.

On April 12, Wilson told the Cape Elizabeth Town Council the cost of the study would be about $36,000. Half of that amount has already been pledged by the foundation.

“(It) would be the genesis of a much broader project that would eventually involve excavating the site, creating historical displays and restoring public access to portions of the fortification,”  wrote Dan Chase, commission member, in a letter to the Fort Williams Charitable Foundation.

The Fort Williams Advisory Commission is a town appointed board. Its mission is to make recommendations to the town council regarding the operation, preservation and improvement of the park. 

In his report to the council, Wilson said it would probably take five years to finish renovations at the battery.

“This is really a great thing. The foundation feels this is something that will sell,” Wilson said. 

Overall, six batteries were built at Fort Williams in the early 1900s. Their primary purpose was to stop enemy warships from entering Portland Harbor.

In 1975, most of Battery Blair, along with Battery Sullivan and Battery DeHart, were covered with fill as part of the Northern Cape Sewer Project in Fort Williams.

Battery Keyes, Battery Knoll and Battery Garesche remain open to the public at the park. All of the batteries are listed in the park’s master plan for potential improvements.

“Battery Blair is a unique structure worthy of deeper study for restoration,” Chase wrote. “The rehabilitation of Battery Blair would enhance the military history of the fort and complement existing exhibits already located throughout the park.”

Pete Smith and his mother Peggy Smith, both of Standish, enjoyed a visit to Battery Blair last Friday. They both agreed with the idea of spending more than $1 million to fix up the old gun emplacement.

“It’s interesting. There’s a lot of history here,” Pete Smith said.

Peggy Smith said she liked reading about the history on the signs scattered around the battery. She also said it was a great place to bring her grandchildren. Rehabilitating the site would not be a waste of money, Peggy Smith said.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.