The Masonry Forts of Boston Harbor
Come to Georges Island for a history lesson on Fort Warren and some of Boston's other coast defense systems!
Boston was one of the first cities in North America to receive seacoast defenses, and figured heavily in the era of masonry forts. After the founding of our nation, there were six masonry forts on three different islands in Boston Harbor. During the Third System of American coastal defense, three major forts protected the approaches to the city. Historian and author John Weaver will discuss the how Boston figured in the three American systems of defense, and talk in detail about the two remaining forts, Independence and Warren, and Fort Winthrop that was lost to the expansion of Logan International Airport. Both Fort Independence and Fort Warren are open to the public, and Weaver will bring a visit to these forts to life.
About the Speaker:
John R. Weaver II is a nationally known expert on masonry coastal defenses, and is the author of the highly acclaimed A Legacy in Brick and Stone: Coastal Defense Forts of the American Third System, 1816-1867. He is an active member and former chair of the Coast Defense Study Group, a member of the Council on America’s Military Past, the Treasurer of the Camp Tippecanoe Civil War Roundtable, a member of the American Battlefield Trust, a Founding Sponsor of the Museum of the US Army, and a member of several Friends groups of various forts.
In addition to two editions of Legacy, John has authored three book chapters, numerous technical articles and conference presentations (including multiple keynote presentations), and a glossary of fortification terminology. He gives technical tours of nineteenth-century fortifications for technical staff as well as for the general public. John has provided technical support for major fort-restoration projects and several interpretive displays and historical markers. He consults for the National Park Service, and several state park organizations, providing training for park leadership, interpretive rangers, and volunteers. Currently, John is providing technical support and on-camera presence for three television documentaries produced by Ravelin Films.