Fort Independence: Untapped Potential

Photo Courtesy of Lorenzo Deagle

The city of Boston attracts thousands of tourists annually who desire a better understanding of the history of this port city’s complex history as a site of great maritime and military significance, historical aspects of Boston which are alive and well on Castle Island.  Located on Pleasure Bay deep in the heart of South Boston, Castle Island is currently the site of Fort Independence, one of eight forts that have been erected on this location, which protected the southern point of access into the city of Boston during the formation of the city in 16930 as well as during the Revolutionary Ware, the Civil War, and both World Wars.  As far back as 1634 the founders of the Massachusetts Bay Colony recognized the strategic significance of Castle Island as location of vital significance to the protection of Boston when Governor Thomas Dudley selected the location for the establishment of an earthwork fortification consisting of two platforms with three cannons.  After the establishment of Castle William, a four-bastioned brick fort supporting an arsenal of seventy-two cannons in 1703, Castle William would serve as a stronghold during the military occupation by the British Army during the early stages of the American Revolution until the retaking of the city, and the remains of Castle William by Continental forces following British evacuation of Boston March 17, 1776.  Furthermore, the fort itself would continue to serve a purpose to the city of Boston by serving as training base for new recruits, as a well as a demagnetizing station during World War Two where ships howls could be tested regarding their vulnerability to German torpedo attacks.[1]

Photo Courtesy of Lorenzo Deagl

Photo Courtesy of Lorenzo Deagle

Placed on the Register of National Historic Places October 15, 2015, Castle Island is currently under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation who rely heavily on the efforts of volunteers to lead tours and host interpretative discussion relating to the history of Castle Islands and the subsequent forts which have existed at this location.[2] Fort Independence the current fort located on Castle Island’s Pleasure Bay is a five-bastion structure, consisting of original portions erected by Colonel John Foncin from 1801- 1803, which then reconstructed in 1851 by Colonel Sylanus Thayer, would doubled the height of the fortifications, and expanded the fort’s perimeter.[3]

While Fort Independence draws one million visitors annually to the island, as a result of a laissez-faire approach to the management of this historic property on the part of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the fort is currently facing troubles and limitations regarding the interpretation of the fort’s history and it’s position as a 
major tourist attraction in the city of Boston.[4]  Having recently visited the fort and taken a free volunteer-led tour of the grounds I was saddened and dismayed by the poor quality of the tour, as well as the lack of freedom to explore the fort on one’s own, and an overall lack of time given by the tour guides in allowing the visitors to view and study the plaques and exhibits located throughout the fort.  The tour itself, would first begin at the main entrance of the fort, or sallyport, where the group was then led to Commandant’s office location near the Hancock Bastions, once inside the guide, while soften spoken, would go into lengthy detail regarding the fort’s lengthy history, particularly the cistern system of fort which served as the soldiers water supply.[5]   However, as the guide discussed the chronology of the fort there was very little reference on the part of the tour guide to any of the plaques, exhibits and historical information in the rooms the tour groups were being brought through.  Upon closer examination many of the exhibits focused on the relevance of the Rodman-barreled cannons, which were tested and then installed as Fort Independence’s main artillery battery beginning in 1851.  In addition, there were many models of various ships including the USS Constitution, and the Flying Cloud, relating to a very important aspect of Castle Island’s maritime history and the relationship of this history with the city itself, a relationship that was sparsely refereed to during the entire tour.[6] 

Upon further inquiry it was make clear that Fort Independence, in addition to not allowing guests to explore the fort freely and outside of the confines of a tour, also does not allow reenactments or other living history related events to take places on the property as well.  While the guide provided no indication as to why this is the case, further inquiry indicated that the fort was once host to a variety of Revolutionary War reenactments, including an event called Loyalist Day in which Fort Independence hosted 18^th century encampments, and interactive programs relating to the history of Boston’s Loyalist and Tory community who resided in the city of Boston during the America Revolution.  However, while records indicate that the last Loyalist Day was hosted June 19, 2004 and there is no indication as to why Fort Independence no longer host reenactment events and whether no not they plan to in the future. [7]

Overall, it is clear that while Fort Independence is a site of invaluable significance to the military, and maritime history of Boston, there is a great deal of untapped potential regarding the current interpretation of the site, the prioritization of information provided on the tours, and the relationship of Fort Independence to other historic organizations particularly living history organizations.

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[1] Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Brochure. “Castle Island and its Forts.” Castle Island: Fort Independence, (Historic Site Brochure, South Boston, MA, October 12, 2015).

[2] Ibid., “Recent History.”

[3] Ibid., “The Forts in Wars.”

[4] Greg Sukiennik, "Castle Island, Boston's historical hideaway." Record: Bergen County, NJ. General OneFile. August 11, 2002.

[5] Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. “Fort Independence” (Guided Tour of the Historic Site, South Boston, MA, October 12, 2015).

[6] Ibid.

[7] "ADVISORY/Loyalist Day at Fort Independence, Castle Island - South Boston; Introducing Boston's Tory Trail; Free Admission." Business Wire, General OneFile  June 4, 2004.