A colonial-era 6-pounder cannon from Fort Morris that has stood sentry in front of the Liberty County Historical Courthouse since the mid-1970s recently received a much-needed sprucing up, according to Phil Odom, treasurer of the Liberty County Historical Society.

This project was a joint effort between the historical society, the Liberty County Board of Commissioners and Fort Morris park ranger Jason Baker, Odom said. The commission gave the county building maintenance department the green light to cordon off the area around the cannon so society members could bring in restoration equipment and materials. Odom pressure washed the cannon, which is no longer capable of being shot due to damaged muzzle moldings, and Baker applied a metal sealing compound and coats of paint. Odom said in a review of the cannon by the State Historian it was determined the cannon was once a naval cannon mounted on a ship, due to its relative lightweight design and was used at Fort Morris. The casting on the cannon indicated it was manufactured at a foundry in Falkirk, Scotland in the 1700s.

Fort Morris Historic Site is now open seven days a week, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., according to gastateparks.org. The museum will be staffed Thursday through Saturday. Visitors may access the site for self-guided tours Sunday through Wednesday by paying $5 per vehicle at the collection box in the parking area. Fort Morris is located at 2559 Fort Morris Road in Midway. For more information, call 912-884-5999.