Fort Norfolk to be site of War of 1812 re-enactment

Posted June 8, 2010
By Brittany Brown
Norfolk District Public Affairs

06/08/2010 - NORFOLK, Va. — A living history encampment will take place at historic Fort Norfolk June 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as the 2nd Virginia Regiment and 20th US Regiment re-enact life during the War of 1812.

Stepping through Fort Norfolk's arched entryway, visitors will be transported to another era as they have the opportunity to see military demonstrations of musket and artillery firing, marching and drilling.

The fort's four-acre site overlooks the Elizabeth River and includes earthwork embankments, ramparts, a dungeon, officers' quarters, powder magazine, barracks, and guardhouse with most structures dating back to 1810.

Originally built of earthen walls with wooden and some brick supports, Fort Norfolk is the last remaining of 19 harbor-front forts authorized in 1794 by President George Washington.

The fort helped protect Norfolk during the War of 1812. In the Civil War, Confederate forces seized the fort and used its magazine to supply the CSS Virginia (Merrimack) during its battle with the USS Monitor. In 1862 the fort was recaptured by the Union Army and used as a prison. Later it was an ordnance depot for the Navy. In 1923 the fort was occupied by the Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which still owns Fort Norfolk. The Norfolk Historical Society began making restorations to the fort in 1991.

Members of the public are invited to attend the June 19 encampment, hosted by the Norfolk Historical Society. The encampment will provide attendees with the opportunity to take a step back in time and learn about the victory at the Battle of Craney Island on June 22, 1813 in addition to the extensive history of Fort Norfolk. Self-guided tours of Fort Norfolk are available during the week.

NOTE TO VISITORS AND PARTICIPANTS: Attendees are permitted to park in the lot adjacent to Norfolk District's guard house and gate, located in the Ghent section of Norfolk at 803 Front Street. Visitors parking in Norfolk District's lot will sign in at the guard house and receive a Fort Norfolk tri-fold brochure.