Visitors to Fort Sewall can now get a tour of the inside of the fort as part of a new program that began on June 18.
The Recreation and Parks Department hired three people to be fort rangers at the historic site.
Bob Erbetta, Dave Cronin and Michelle Gatta walk visitors through the officers’ quarters, bunk room and storeroom. During the tour, visitors even get to go inside a small bunker.
So far, around 55 to 90 people have been coming through for a tour each day, according to Gatta.
“Typically we tailor tours to what guests are interested in,” she said.
Tours run Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Visitors can walk right up to the fort to be greeted by a ranger and receive a tour free of charge. Tours vary in length.
“Sometimes you start a tour and something sparks a conversation that guides the rest of it,” Gatta said.
Other duties of the fort ranger include opening and closing the interior of Fort Sewall, answering visitors’ questions and ensuring the safety and integrity of the fort.
The program is planned to run for 11 weeks from June 18 to Aug. 31, with potential weekends in May and September through Columbus Day.
Meanwhile, join the Glover’s Marblehead Regiment for their annual Encampment at Fort Sewall on Sat. July 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Activities include cannon salutes, arms drills, fife and drum concerts, a “tactical” at Gas House Beach and a last-man-standing contest. Learn more at gloversregiment.org.
