Fort Anne

1629

Scottish settlers built Charles Fort here in August 1629

Scottish settlers built the fort in August 1629 as Charles Fort, after Charles I. Construction began on 1 August 1629 and was completed within a few weeks. Charles Fort, through its successor Fort Anne, is arguably the oldest extant European construction in Canada.

Under siege

The fort was attacked or blockaded at least 19 times

Over a service period of 225 years Fort Anne was attacked and blockaded at least 19 times, from the Acadian Civil War to the American Revolutionary War. It has provided more defensive service than any other fort in North America.

19attacks and blockades over 225 years of service

The star

The star shape of 1702 helps the walls shed incoming fire

Work restarted in 1702 on a Vauban configuration that remains largely intact. The star shape and gently sloping walls soften the angle of impact, and the star lets more cannons fire, whatever the angle of attack.

The magazine

The powder magazine of 1708 is the oldest military building in Canada

The fort also holds the oldest building administered by Parks Canada, the 1708 powder magazine. Parks Canada operates a museum in the 1797 Officer's Quarters.

The first site

In 1917 Fort Anne became the first National Historic Site of Canada

The Dominion Parks Branch acquired the fort in 1917. Building it had required the expropriation of the core of the original Acadian settlement of Port-Royal, including the town windmill and the site of the parish church.