Fort Constitution

Fort Constitution is a state historic site in New Castle, New Hampshire. The fort was a former British colonial fortification built in 1632 on the island of New Castle. The fort has had three different names over the years. It was originally named "The Castle" from 1632 until 1692, when it was changed to "Fort William and Mary" in honor of the ascension of King William III and Queen Mary II to the British throne. The name would be changed again to "Fort Constitution" in 1808 when it was finally renovated after the American Revolutionary War. The fort would be serviceable through the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II.

Fort Constitution was built by the British as a colonial fortification during the early years of colonialism of the British in America. It was intended to be used to regulate commerce in the area for the American colonists. On December 14, 1774, American Patriots led by John Langdon in the Portsmouth area would seize the captain of the fort, Captain Cochran, and would seize the gunpowder within the fort and distribute it to other colonists throughout the town. The following day, another American militia group led by John Sullivan would seize muskets, cannons, and other weaponry for use in the American militias.

After the American Revolution, the fort would be rebuilt, renovated, and renamed to Fort Constitution. The renovations included erecting a wall around the fort that was twice as tall as the previous, original wall. The government would also equip the fort with a garrison and artillery. During this time, the Secretary of War would describe the fort as, "an enclosed irregular work of masonry, mounting 36 heavy guns… (with) brick barracks for two companies…” During the War of 1812, the fort would be maintained and reinforced with a Martello tower, named Walbach Tower, with a single 32-pounder cannon, which would be completed in 1814.

During the Civil War, the fort would see more construction done while soldiers were stationed there. The construction included a planned extensive, three-tiered granite edifice. However, this construction would never be completed due to military advancements including armored, steam-powered warships with heavy rifled guns. These advancements led to the construction no longer being needed. The construction would be abandoned in 1867. Various units still trained at the fort and were stationed there to prevent a potential invasion from the Confederacy. During this time the fort would also see the mounting of four 100-pounder Parrott rifles.

After the Civil War, construction began on Battery Farnsworth and was completed in 1899 and included two 8-inch guns. During the Spanish-American War mines were installed to protect the fort and harbor. In 1904 Battery Hackleman would be constructed to defend the minefield against potential minesweepers. After this, the fort would undergo various other reconstructions, additions, and expansions. During World War I and World War II the fort would be occupied and active in defense of the harbor of Portsmouth. Specifically, during World War II, the 22nd Coast Artillery Regiment would occupy the fort as a part of the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth.

After World War II, around 1961, the state of New Hampshire was given the land, and by extension the fort, by the United States Government. New Hampshire registered the fort with the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. To this day, the fort occupies three acres along with the Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse which remains an aid to the navigation of ships into the harbor. Currently, Fort Constitution is operating as a historic site that is a part of a state park. The park is located adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard Station at the mouth of the Piscataqua River.

Fort Constitution Historic Site, New Hampshire State Parks. Accessed November 28th 2021. https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/historic-sites/fort-constitution-historic-site.

Guide to the Fort Constitution Papers, 1820-1880, University of New Hampshire Library. Accessed November 28th 2021. https://library.unh.edu/find/archives/collections/fort-constitution-papers-1820-1880.

Weiser-Alexander, Kathy. Fort Constitution, New Hampshire, Legends of America. February 1st 2020. Accessed November 28th 2021. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/fort-constitution-new-hampshire/.