fort monroe national monument

Fort Monroe is a strategic military Fort located at the mouth of the James River that leads to Richmond, VA. The location was originally recognized in 1600s when the stockade was erected to protect families from Indians. The Fort built in 1834 is the only fort in the U.S with a water filled moat surrounds the Fort. It was active throughout the Civil War, although Virginia was under confederate hands, the Fort stayed in Union control. Jefferson Davis was imprisoned at the Fort and Lincoln stayed in Quarters #1. There is museum that identifies the importance of the Fort and the battle of the Monitor and Merrimac that occurred in the vicinity. Excellent place to spend the day walking not only around the Casemate, but outside the Casemate to see the Cannon emplacements when the Fort was used for WWI and II Artillery training. A must see for history and military buffs.

We have visited a number of military museums around the country. Fort Monroe is a very well preserved and restored piece of American military history, spanning many years and conflicts. The freedom to walk around and explore at our own pace was very nice. Some additional signage providing driving directions into the casemate complex would have been helpful, especially as we were searching for a handicapped parking spot. Overall, it was a good historical experience.

We took a walk on Saturday morning along the Ft. Monroe Seawall Trail. It was a 2 mile up, 2 mile back walk. VERY easy walk, flat, paved. Portable bathrooms are available along the trail. We bought our dog and, note, it is very dog friendly. There are multiple dog clean up stations and trash cans. The Seawall overlooks the beach of the Chesapeake Bay. Dogs are not allowed on the beach from May 15- September 15. There were a few bike riders, joggers, and fellow walkers on the trail. The views are spectacular. On one side, you see naval ships and cargo ships, and on the other side you see HISTORY! The military batteries are showing their age, but they were built in 1899 and decommissioned in 1942. There was a lighthouse, a moat, US flag, and abandoned military housing. This location is seeped in history. We are so lucky to live a few miles from the fort, and will return. The only question is why we have never walked this "trail" before.

You cannot see this place from the highway as there are buildings between it and the road. It's nestled back in a mostly residential area. I think it a hidden gem. All around it buildings have sprung up, mostly associated with the fort and military base. In this day and age forts do not have to have clear fields of fire, after all. But when you drive around - inside or out - you clearly can see what it was and is. The walkway along the water (and on the ramparts) have a clear view of the water the fort was built to cover with its big guns. The sunset was spectacular. Inside the fort are building - barracks and officer housing - most of which has been converted to rental units ranging in price from about $1300 to $5000+ monthly. We thought how cool it would be to live in or near a 200 year old fort! This isn't Fts. Niagara or Ticonderoga which are some of the best anywhere. But it IS a good stop with a good museum and there is LOTS of history here. We had a couple hours and it wasn't enough. We'll be back.

I have no idea how many times I've been on Fort Monroe, both as an active army post and as now a national monument. It is always good to return, but it's almost like visiting a ghost town. The views are fantastic and there is a sense of both time and place there. A visit to the museum is a must as is a drive along the shells of the coast artillery batteries that line the Hampton Roads side of the old fort.

To say the truth-I was dissapointed. We went on M. L. King´s day and the museum was closed. So we just walked around the fort, kids had fun running and climbing. If you pass by, stop there, it is free, but have a plan B, it is just 1-2 hours getaway. Though I liked the small old street near the fort, it is ery nice.

Fort Monroe was an active base up until 2011, so it's got an interesting balance of history and active transitioning to a national park. It's a bit hard to tell what's Park Owned, run by the state of Virginia and what is still transitioning from the military, so it's maybe a bit less informative than most National Parks, but it makes up for it in other ways. We camped at the local campground, which is right across the road from a small beach. It has a great mix of small town, fort and beach. Lots of places to walk, including a few small beaches and a nice cement boardwalk. Great place to bike, it has interesting architecture and history all around it. And if you are camping there, it's a great central location from which to visit Newport News, Hampton, Virginia Beach and Norfolk. Highly recommended for a winter getaway!

Fort Monroe is a must see. The fort is a military buff's dream. From the Third System fort to the outlying Batteries (Irwin, De Russy and Church) it has a little bit of everything when it comes to what defended the Hampton Roads one the north side of the bay, The Fort, even if it is de-militarized, is a special treat.

Now that the government no longer uses the fort, it is open for access and exploration. Fort earth works still exist and it is an enjoyable adventure to both drive and walk through the fort which still has a moat around it! Great place for a historical visit with elementary or middle school children.

Nice place to visit. the old fort is cool to look at and walk around but, so much of it is in bad shape. I will the would spend the money and do the repairs. This fort is on a beautiful island and could be a real tourist destination. It is a nice place to walk and swim. The beaches are really nice.

We visited Fort Munroe whilst staying in the Hampton area. The museum was not open so myself and my wife walked around the Fort on the "Battlements" . The walk was great, the views impressive, both looking out of the fort, and looking in. The houses and accommodation blocks are from another era, beautifully maintained. We then walked around the streets and beach area outside the Fort, in the sun. Immaculately kept....... We then sat on the beach and watched the ships pass by. A really pleasant 3-4 hours, would definetly return

The casement museum inside is interesting but it was like a cave. That made my mother a little nervous. She did like climbing up the walls for a view of Hampton Roads. She also liked the gift shop. None of the kids seemed impressed that Jefferson Davis was a prisoner at this fort. It really resembles a castle from the outside.

I am a photographer and writer for National Park Planner (npplan.com) and I visited Fort Monroe National Monument in September 2014. The park preserves the largest masonry fort ever built in the United States. Construction started in 1819 and lasted until 1834, with minor construction projects continuing for years more. The fort is situated on a peninsula that juts out into the Hampton Roads, a section of water between present day Hampton and Norfolk, Virginia, where the James, Elizabeth, and Nansemond Rivers all come together before entering the Chesapeake Bay. Originally known as Point Comfort, the strategic importance of this land has been recognized since the early days of British colonialism in the Americas. Before the days of aerial warfare, to invade another country you needed a navy to transport soldiers to the battlefield. Should the enemy have access to the Hampton Roads it could travel far into the mainland of Virginia on the James River. Controlling the channel was vital to defending the country and the best way to do so would be to build a coastal fort that could rain down lead on any enemy ships that tried passing. What better way to control the channel than with a coastal fort on Point Comfort.Fort Monroe operated at a military installation until 2011, when it was finally decommissioned. President Obama designated the fort as a National Monument on November 1, 2011. Because this is a relatively new National Park, activities are still in the planning stages. At this time (fall of 2014) the only activities for park visitors are a museum that covers the history of the fort, The Casemate Museum, and a walking tour of the fort and the grounds just outside. The National Park Service also owns the land on the northern end of the peninsula. There are three decrepit batteries (coastal defenses manned with artillery), Battery DeRussy, Battery Anderson-Ruggles, and Battery Church, but all are shuttered and not open to the public. The former officers’ club, now called the Paradise Ocean Club, was renovated in 2012 and reopened as a private, members-only venture. In addition, there is an RV Park on the property that has been around for years. It was originally a campground for military personnel and families when the fort was still active. It is now privately owned. Both places were leased from the Fort Monroe Authority before the National Park Service took over. The NPS honored the leases, and while now on park land, neither place has anything to do with the NPS.

We decided to take a little daytrip to Phoebus and Fort Monroe. My husband was stationed at Fort Monroe years ago and this was our first visit since it closed and became a national monument. We were really disappointed. The place looked deserted. The road to the beach was blocked off. I was hoping they would open the beach to the public and not make everything private like was done at Buckroe. We read in the newspaper that there were a few businesses operating there, but we saw no evidence of it. The buildings looked old and vacant. There was a lot of open space where old housing had been torn down. The marina looked bustling and the Chamberlin looked as majestic as ever. Hopefully in years to come, there will be money and good ideas to make this place a destination and not just a rundown old glory.

This fort which was an active Army installation only 3 short years ago is one of the most noble landmarks on the eastern seaboard. Beautifully situated on a small portion of land completely surrounded by water, possessing its own beach, club system and views that would be worth millions. This is something to take in the history of Coastal Artillery and the protection as well as birth of a nation. Amazing and a must see!!Happy travels.