State(s): Virginia
Link: https://www.nps.gov/fomr/index.htm
During a recent family visit, we turned the drive into an adventure of its own — weaving in a remarkable string of historic and natural stops along the way. From the storied grounds of Fort Monroe National Monument and the rich colonial history of Colonial National Historical Park, to the Civil War echoes of Richmond National Battlefield Park and Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, each stop offered a deeper look into the stories that shaped our nation. We also carved out time for the serene trails of Prince William Forest Park, the hallowed fields of Monocacy National Battlefield, the breathtaking scenery of Ohiopyle State Park, and the historic grounds of Fort Necessity National Battlefield — rounding out the journey with a truly unique visit to First Ladies National Historic Site. It was the kind of road trip that reminds you just how much history and beauty there is to discover, even on the way home.
Info
Located at the tip of the Virginia Peninsula in Hampton, Virginia, is a former military installation. Once the largest stone fort ever built in the United States, it served as a key Union stronghold during the Civil War and is famously known as “Freedom’s Fortress” — the place where enslaved people who escaped to Union lines were declared contraband of war, a pivotal moment that helped reshape the meaning of the conflict. Today, the site is preserved as a national monument managed by the National Park Service, welcoming visitors to explore its historic grounds, museums, and the very walls that witnessed some of the nation’s most defining moments.
What We Did
For our trip, we explored both the interior and exterior of the fort, following along with a self-guided walking tour map. A few of the highlights included the historic Old Point Comfort Light, the imposing gun batteries, and the stately Quarters #1.
After walking around, we headed a couple blocks away to The Deadrise for lunch. I had the big fish sandwich (it was huge) and Colleen had the stuffed salmon. We all shared crab dip that came with pita triangles. It took a while to get a table but once we did, they brought us food quickly. We all enjoyed our food.