sign in sign up
<<
Home , Fort Sumter, Fort Wool

An 1862 lithograph of showcases its strategic location for marit ime defense and commerce. Under construction from 1819-1834, t he fort is named after U.S. President James Monroe. It remained a Union stronghold throughout the entire Freedom's Civil War, earning the name the "Gibraltar of the Chesapeake." Library of congress. E. Sachse & co. Fortress

Abundant natural resources made this small piece of land attractive to the American Indian for centuries before Captain John Smith and the Company identified its strategic importance for the defense of the Chesapeake Bay. In 1609 the first , Fort Algernourne, was built here along the bay. Arriving ten years later were the first "20 and odd" reported Africans brought to the English colonies.

The defense of the nation and the quest for freedom converged at Fort Monroe in 1861, barely one month after the first shots of the United States Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter in . Three enslaved men, known to us today as Frank Baker, James Townsend, and Sheppard Mallory, escaped and sought freedom LEFT Major General supported education, training, and enlistment of able bodied members of the with the Union Army at Fort Monroe. "Contraband Camp" surrounding Fort Monroe. Mary S. Peake taught former enslaved people encamped for protect ion near Under provisions of the 1850 Fugitive Fort Monroe. She worked for the American M issionary Associat ion (AMA). Library of Congress. Courtesy of Hampton University Archives RIGHT Hampton University, pictured here in 1899, still thrives as a Historically Black College and University, and traces its Slave Act these men had to be returned. existence to the AMA. Library of Congress

The fort's commander Major General these men would not be returned to 1863 Emancipation Proclamation Benjamin Butler, a lawyer by profession, bondage, giving rise to communities of and the ratification of the Thirteenth reasoned that since Virginia had men, women, and children known as Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, seceded, stating it was no longer part "Contraband Camps" near Union forces. which finally abolished slavery in the of the United States, the Fugitive Slave United States in 1865. Act did not apply. Further, because This landmark decision to consider these the Confederates considered enslaved freedom seekers as "contraband" forever The fort became known as "Freedom's persons as property and were using these changed the legal status of enslaved Fortress," and has remained a national enslaved men in their war efforts against people in the United States, influencing symbol for protection and freedom. the United States, Butler argued these thousands to seek sanctuary behind Fort Monroe continued as a freedom seekers should be considered Union lines. This decision ultimately of defense and training until it was "contraband of war." Like seized goods, led to President 's deactivated in September of 201t.

ABOVE Robert E. Lee, a 24 year-o ld West Point-trained engineer, post ed in 1831 to oversee const ruct ion at Fort Monroe and at t he Ri p-Raps in Ham pton Roads for Fort Ca lhoun, now Fort Wool. Courtesy of Washington and Lee University LEFT Fo llowing the "Co ntraband decision" in 1861, thousa nds of freedom seekers risked their lives t o f ind sanctuary at Fort Monroe. Library of Congress Brown Pelican North Beach Area Fort moat Alan D. Wiison, Fort Monroe Authority, NPS, NPS

Fort Monroe Points of Interest

Building #1, Quarters No. 1: Major General also served as living quarters and a holding cell Benjamin Butler occupied these quarters in for Confederate President . 1861 where he made the pivotal /1 Contraband decision. /1 These quarters were also President Chapel of the Centurion: Dedicated in 1858 Lincoln's residence while planning the attack in honor of the Roman centurion Cornelius on Norfolk in 1862. and designed in the style of noted arch itect Richard Upjohn this chapel features many Building #SO: Constructed in 1834 as impressive arch itectural details including three quarters and office space for engineers posted Ti ffany stained-glass windows. Gated A to Fort Monroe, the building has seen many Autf) rea Wildlife Or/zed architectural changes during its transformation Parade Ground: This open area, surrounded Access 0 Observation ··············· '17/y to the set of three houses seen today. on three sides by mature live oaks including Platform • ...... t he 500 year old /1 Algernourne Oak," was Building #17, Lee's Quarters: While on historically used as much for recreation as leave from Fort Monroe, Robert E. Lee married military exercises and ceremonies. I I I Mary Custis, great granddaughter of Martha I I I I Washington, at Arlington House in present Lighthouse: This 1802 I \ I day Arlington, Virgi nia and occupied these lig hthouse was a British observation post during \ I \ I quarters from 1831-34. The Lee's first child, t he and is t he oldest operating \ I I a son, Custis Lee, was born here in 1832. lighthouse on the Chesapeake Bay. The lighthouse I I is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. I Museum: A partner operated I Fort Monroe is one of over 400 parks in the The Colonies RV museum depicting the complex history of Fort and Travel Park m:I National Park System. Visit wwwnps.gov to I Monroe in the defense of America's freedoms. Battery / Occupying former artillery emplacements t hat learn more about parks and National Park Anderson-Ruggles I form t he fort's walls, these have Service programs in America 5 communities. I I I I I ! Beach Access I 0-Club /liJm PHOEBUS FORT MONROE I I NATIONAL MONUMENT I North Beach Area Battery Church I I I I I I I I I I I I Battery DeRussy I liJ/ I I I Chesapeake I I I Bay I I I Stilwell Dr I North I I I FORT MONROE I (!) I I NATIONAL I I MONUMENT I ~-~I NPS property I I I I ----- Trail, No motorized I vehicles I I For More Information: I Restaurants open seasonally I Fort Monroe Marina E Gate National Monument l,mliJ 41 Bernard Road 1 Outlook FORT MONROE Fort Monroe, VA 23651-1001 NATIONAL se / Beach Access MONUMENT ...... Pastern Gate (757) 722-FORT (3678) ~~\,, ,, / Batteries Irwin ,, ,, ' Fenwick Rd ,,,/ and Parrot 0.25 0.5 Kilometers ,, ,, 0 ,, ,, The',,~ • www.nps.gov/fomr Chamberlin''------­ Chapel 0 0.25 0.5 Miles '\ '\ of the Centurion ,, ,, Continental ,, ,, Engineer Wharf ,,,, ,,,, Park, Gazebo liJ ~ mJ \ \ Planning Your Visit

A Brand New National Park of military families t hroughout the ce nturies. Getting to the Park Fort Monroe National Monument is a new The scen ic streets and historic homes t hat remai n From Richmond: 1-64 East towards Norfolk/ national park area with limited services and are re minders of American domestic and civic life Will iamsburgNirginia Beach. Take Exit 268 (169 programs. It is a park " in progress " and in the t he fort was establi shed to defend . East Mallory St/Ft Monroe), the last Exit on 1-64 coming yea rs, facilit ies and services will be added East before the Bridge Tu nnel. for t he public to enjoy. Today Fort Monroe is a home and workplace just as it w as during the period of active military From Virginia Beach/Norfolk: 1-64 West toward s The best w ay to explore "Freedom's Fortress " service. Please respect the residents' privacy Richmond, VA. Take Exit 268 (169 East Mallory St/ today is on foot. As the largest stone fort as you enjoy exploring Fort Monroe National Ft Monroe), the first Exit on 1-64 West after the ever built in the United States, experience and Monument. Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. understand the fort's sca le and stra tegic location in defense of the Hampton Roads Harbor and the For a Safe Visit Then, for both: Turn Left at the light onto Chesapeake Bay simply by w alking the ramparts Use ca ution when w alking the ramparts that S Mallory St (0.1 miles). Turn Rig ht at the light encircling the top of t he fort. From here, look circle the top of the f ort. Do not venture too close onto E Mellen St and continue (approximately 0.6 across the w ater to Fo rt Wool; see how the to the edge of t he fort w al ls and stay clea r of the miles) over a smal l bridge and ca useway onto t he geography of Old Point Comfort w as vital to the moat. Children should be closely supervi sed. Be Fort Monroe Peninsula. At the light take the Left coastal defense strategy of the nation. The Fort alert for vehicular traffic, pedest rians, and cyclists fork onto Ingalls Rd and follow t he signs for t he Monroe peninsula has been home to thousands on Fort Monroe's thoroughfares. Ca semate Museum.