This British Naval issue cutlass and scabbard (1804 pattern) was kept as prize booty by Captain George Bacon and crew of the privateer Dash.

According to family lore, Dash discovered the dismasted British privateer Thinks I To Myself in a cove near Wiscasset when the fog lifted. Some of Dash’s gunports were outfitted with logs painted black to fool the British into believing the brigantine was more heavily armed than it was. Consequently, Thinks I To Myself quickly surrendered, and Dash carried its prize and the sloop’s crew to Portland in October of 1814.

During the War of 1812, seagoing vessels changed hands frequently. Thinks I To Myself was originally an American ship out of Castine, ME that had been captured by the British just months before.

These treasures were handed down from Captain Joseph Porter, brother of Dash’s owners, to his great, great-grandson Philip Means, and are cared for and displayed by the Freeport Historical Society.

The Cutlass and scabbard will be on display at the Portland Science Center until October 29th.

From the collections of the Freeport Historical Society, on long-term loan from Philip C. Means.

On Monday May 16, 2017 FHS was featured on WCSH 6 in a  the “Maine Mysteries” segment about Freeport’s, Casco Castle.  Watch to see Executive Director Jim Cram and Collections Manager Holly Hurd share their knowledge of Casco Castle.  You can also visit our web page for more information about Casco Castle.

FREEPORT, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — In a neighborhood in South Freeport, a castle once stood high on the hill. It was called Casco Castle, and it ruled the social scene of it’s day.

Built in 1903 by Amus Gerald, the grand summer resort had a number of attractive amusements; a zoo with wolves, deer, and even bison. A baseball diamond and swimming area. There were also shore dinners featuring lobster and clams for just 50 cents.

However, Holly Hurd, curator and collections manager for the Freeport Historical Society, said the castle’s maine objective was to encourage use of the new trolley line laid out in 1902 that ran from Yarmouth to Brunswick; which is where Gerald built his first resort, Merrymeeting Park.

“He thought, if we put another amusement park along the trolley line, that will encourage people to come up,” said Hurd. “They can either visit the one in Souther Freeport, or they can visit the one in Brunswick.”

Toward the end of it’s days, the Casco Castle suffered financial loss as tourism declined. People simply found a better way to get around- the automobile.

Then one day in 1914, as it was closing for the season, the castle met its end.

Hurd explained, “As people were packing up, it caught on fire. The main part of the building was wooden and it was very dry, so as soon as it started, the whole things just burned to the ground.”

There was gossip that the financial troubles lead to arson, but by now we will probably never know. But pieces of the old resort can still be spotted around the neighborhood like the wolf pen, the stone wall, and especially the 185 foot stone tower that once served as a lighthouse for boats coming in on the Harraseeket River.

However, the tower is on private property and can only be viewed from the road. Luckily, it’s hard to miss. 

© 2017 WCSH-TV

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/maine-mysteries-casco-castle/439828587

Click on the names below to read their entries

Winners Youth (Grades 3-6)

1^st Prize: Isla Wilson

2^nd Prize Taylor Kaplan

3^rd Prize: Lyman Ordway

Honorable Mentions:

Kessa Benner

Paige Tyson

Young Adult (Grades 7-12)

1^st Prize: Nickolas Eastman

2^nd Prize: Renee Pickard

3^rd Prize: Raizel McNally

Honorable Mentions:

Clare Rigney

Charlie Van West

Adults

1^st Prize: David Sloan hopes to publish his poem from this contest, so please look for it in a future book!

2^nd Prize: Ann Coltman

3^rd Prize: Brendan Tierney

Honorable Mentions:

Jerry Tims

Sam Hunneman

Mary Ellen Carew

The Freeport Historical Society wishes to congratulate George Denney for being named Freeport’s Citizen of the year 2016, last night, February 28, 2017, at the regular session of the town Council Meeting.  George was surprised and surrounded by his friends and family.  A small reception followed at the Historical Society.  George is a good friend of the Historical Society and as always we wish him the best.

Photo from the Town of Freeport Municipal Bulletin, March 1, 2017