AUGUSTA

AUGUSTA



The capital of the Pine Tree State started as a trading post first inhabited by English settlers from Plymouth Colony in 1625. Although Portland was the original state capital, Augusta took over the title in 1832.

Augusta is located on the banks of the Kennebec River in the south central part of the state, with the city of Portland and the state of New Hampshire to the south, the Canadian Provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec to the north.

Augusta offers plenty of entertainment and culture, including the Augusta Civic Center featuring headline music, comedy and theatrical productions; tours of the Governor's Mansion, great golf courses and the Pine Tree State Arboretum. The city is surrounded by pine forests, parks, rivers and lakes for hiking, boating, camping and river rafting.

ADDITIONAL MAINE CITY PAGES:

• Portland

• Augusta is the most eastern capital city on the U.S. Map.
• Elvis Presley was scheduled to appear at the Augusta Civic Center two days after he died.
• Born in Caribou, Maine native and world weightlifting champ John B. Gagnon was the world's unofficial strongest man in the 1930's.

Capitol Building, Augusta, Maine allposters.com

• Old Fort Western
  Old Fort Western is setting of the country's oldest wooden military buildings and is a National Historic Landmark. The Fort dates back to 1754, and workers dress in period costume. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of old fashioned shingle making, weaving and cooking over an open fire.
  
  Benedict Arnold staged his attack on Quebec from here during the American Revolution. Other famous revolutionaries stationed at Fort Western included Aaron Burr, Daniel Morgan and Henry Dearborn. The Fort has a gift shop onsite, and hosts families and school field trips year round.
  
  
• Maine State Museum
  The State Museum focuses on Maine's natural history, with vivid exhibits of wildlife, native peoples, local industry, culture and the landscape of the state. Enjoy textile artwork made by the local Wabanaki people; dioramas of moose and caribou; a 1700's three-story woodworking mill; prehistoric local mammal fossils and an extensive Maine history artifact collection.
  
  At the top of the list for family things to do on a Maine vacation, the museum also maintains close ties with the Augusta community and school system through hosting regular field trips and interactive programs.
  
  
• Maine State House
  Watching over the city from Weston Hill on the northern shore of the Kennebec River, the Maine State House had its corner stone laid on July 4th, 1829 with full Masonic ceremony. Famous New England architect Charles Bulfinch was contracted to help design the building.
  
  Massive amounts of local Maine granite were mined for the construction. Extensive renovations around 1910 gave the Capitol Building its modern appearance with a much larger central dome and long wings.
  
  Historical portraits and artwork line the elegant interior spaces. The State House is fronted by over 20 acres of lawn and botanical gardens. Tours are available and visitors are always welcome.