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  Fort Hunter Park commands a magnificent view of the Susquehanna River and Blue Mountains beyond. It was originally settled in 1725 by Benjamin Chambers, who later founded Chambersburg. Samuel Hunter, Chamber's brother-in-law, inherited the well-favored property which included grist and saw mills. The bustling settlement thus became known as Hunter's Mill.
  Faced with the mounting threat of the French and Indian War, the British built a series of small forts from Harris Ferry (Harrisburg) to Fort Augusta in Sunbury.

  Among these was Fort Hunter, ideally situated at a bend in the river, thereby serving as a alarm station and supply depot. The Fort was a 10' by 14' log blockhouse surrounded by a stockade and manned by volunteer soldiers, mostly farmers' sons.
 
Fort Hunter Mansion, built in 1814 by Capt. Archibald McAlister, bears the name of an 18th century fort constructed near the site.
  In 1763, following the defeat of the Indian Nations, the Fort was left to decay. It was in 1787 that Captain Archibald McAllister, a dashing young officer who had served directly under General George Washington in the Revolutionary Army, bought the land including the abandoned Fort, Hunter's Mill, and farm.
 

The Downstairs Sitting Room features a Portrait of Daniel Dick Boas.		   Under his spirited leadership, McAllister's farm grew into a self-sufficient frontier village with grist and saw mills, country store, blacksmith shop, school, artisan's shops, a fine tavern and a most successful distillery. River landings permitted barges and other craft to anchor and the 1834 official opening of the Pennsylvania Canal encouraged a healthy trade.

  Daniel Dick Boas, a prominent Harrisburg citizen, bought the property in 1870 and later willed it to his daughter Helen, and son-in-law, John W. Reily. For half a century the Reily dairy farm, graced with strutting peacocks and grazing sheep, was a familiar landmark and social center for Harrisburg.
 
  As the Reilys had no children, they left the property to their nine nieces and nephews, One niece, Margaret Wister Meigs, of Washington, D.C. recognizing the historical significance of the site, had the foresight to buy the remaining shares and to establish the Fort Hunter Museum.

 
The Mansion's Master Bedroom features Victorian
furnishings from the Reily Family (circa 1920).
 
  In 1956, Mrs. Meigs and her family set up the Fort Hunter Foundation and organized the Friends of Fort Hunter with its volunteer membership to initiate a restoration and education program.  Presently, owned by the County of Dauphin and Board of Trustees for Fort Hunter, Fort Hunter Historic Park provides beautiful recreational facilities embracing the Mansion and estate-style grounds.
    Want to learn more ? Don't forget to pick up your copy of the Carl Dickson's new book, Fort Hunter: A Guide, now available in the Museum Gift Shop.

  It describes the history of the Mansion and the many other spectacular buildings in Fort Hunter Park.  Read about the historic families that once called the Mansion their home, and how this Victorian estate became a treasured museum and recreational park.
  Thinking of taking a walk around Fort Hunter Park ? Be sure to download the Walking Tour Brochure before you go.  You'll learn more about this 19th century estate and all of the buildings that turned it into a bustling community.
Click to download the Walking Tour Brochure DOWNLOAD WALKING TOUR BROCHURE
Click  on the PDF Icon to download the Walking Tour Brochure.
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