Fort Foster, Maine

Fort Foster, now part of Fort Foster Park, is a historic fort on the southwest tip of Gerrish Island in Kittery, Maine.

The park includes beaches and trails. Battery Chapin is part of the fort.

The land was acquired by the U.S. federal government in 1872 and was the last of the "old" forts built in the Portsmouth area. The site was a sub-post of Fort Constitution and was officially named Fort Foster for American Civil War-era Brevet Major General John G. Foster of New Hampshire. The fort closed in 1948.

The site was used as a recreation area for Naval Shipyard personnel from then until the 1950s. It was transferred to the Town of Kittery's Public Works Department and later expanded by another land purchase.

Fort Foster Park covers 88 acres. The buildings are closed except the Mine Observation Tower, now a public restroom. An admission fee is charged for access. There are swimming beaches and views of the entrance to Portsmouth Harbor, Whaleback Light, Portsmouth Harbor Light and Fort Constitution.