MARBLEHEAD — Fort Sewall, one of the town’s most recognized sites that served as an important military defense for more than 300 years, is undergoing a $1.5 million renovation.
The historic landmark typically draws more than 50,000 visitors a year — the site’s headland is now a recreational area and provides views of Marblehead Harbor, Cape Ann, off-shore islands and the Atlantic — but has been closed since construction started this past spring.
The two-phase renovation project, which involves reproducing historical elements as they would have appeared at the fort in 1820, is expected to be substantially completed by the end of the year, according to Larry Sands, chairman of the Marblehead Fort Sewall Oversight Committee.
When it reopens, the fort will include replica 19th century cannons, interior and exterior upgrades, and improved safety and accessibility, Sands said.
The restoration has included masonry work, replacement of stairs, window bars, and brick coating. The project has also involved repaving the pathways, making the property fully handicap accessible, and renovating bathrooms that haven’t been upgraded since 1922, Sands said.
“We’ve done smaller projects, (but) this is the largest renovation since the 1920s when the fort was returned to the town of Marblehead by the government,” said Sands. “One of the things I’ve heard consistently throughout my time in the town is: ‘(I’ve) been here 20, 30, 50 years and have never been inside the fort.’
“The inside of the fort is currently not open to the public and that’s something we plan to remedy going forward.”
First established in 1644 as Fort Head, Fort Sewall was manned during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 (when it became a prominent military site), through the Civil War, when it was rebuilt to be used for coastal defense and military training, according to historical records.
In 1814, the fort was renamed in honor of Judge Samuel Sewall, a town benefactor during and after the Revolution, who later became a Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court, according to the Essex National Heritage Area.
The fort’s greatest claim to fame came during the War of 1812, on April 3, 1814, when the U.S.S. Constitution, being chased by two British frigates, escaped into Marblehead Harbor under the protection of the fort’s guns, according to the Essex National Heritage Area.
A large part of the project involves honoring that military history, which will include recreating certain historical elements, such as the large gun platform that was in place in the early 1700s. At that time, the platform held 12 cannons, but its capacity may have been expanded during the American Revolution.
A gun platform is being added to the upper level of the fort, with replica cannons, to resemble what would have been there in 1820, as dictated by plans the committee has from that time period, Sands said.
The Fort Sewall committee’s intention was for the renovation to be completed by 2022, which marks the 100th anniversary of when the federal government turned the fort over to the town for use as a public park. Sands anticipates there will be a town ceremony next summer to commemorate the historical milestone.
To fund the project, Town Meeting approved a $750,000 override last year, and the oversight committee has raised approximately $850,000 through grants and private donations, Sands said.
“We’re still taking donations but the purpose is to fund ongoing maintenance so we’ve established a maintenance fund to do ongoing repairs to the fort,” said Sands.
“(Fort Sewall) is one of the most recognized historic sites in town and it is really a tribute to the town’s maritime roots that they would fund the cost of a fort to protect their fishing fleet and shipping business. Most of Marblehead’s money in the early days came from the water, either from fishing or shipping.”
In fact, the town’s fishing and trade was so successful that in 1660, the King’s Agent reported in London that “Marblehead was the greatest town for fishing in New England,” according to historical records.
While the majority of the project will focus on restoration, Sands said future plans will involve staffing park rangers at the site to conduct tours inside Fort Sewall, which has mostly been closed off to the public. Prior to construction, people could walk around the fort, enjoy the water and recreate, but they were barred from entering the building, he said.
“We’re trying to remedy that by opening the fort in the summer,” said Sands. “The idea is that it will open for people to go through and there will be someone there either to answer questions or take people there on tours if they’re looking for more information.”
The committee is still accepting donations for the Fort Sewall restoration. While all donations will be accepted, only those who donate $1,000 or higher will have their names added to the Fort Sewall plaque. All donors will be acknowledged in a Centennial Commemorative Book and a public ceremony at the fort next summer.
To donate to the renovation and restoration of Fort Sewall, visit www.marblehead.org, or contact the Board of Selectmen’s office at 781- 631-0000.
