Fort Norfolk to host Battle of Craney Island reenactment

Norfolk District Public Affairs
Published June 22, 2017
FORT NORFOLK, Va. -- War of 1812 reenactors dress in the fort's guardhouse June 9, 2012. The reenactors were part of OpSail 2012, which marked the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and brought international tall ships and naval vessels to Hampton Roads and other port cities.  (U.S. Army photo/Kerry Solan)

FORT NORFOLK, Va. -- War of 1812 reenactors dress in the fort's guardhouse June 9, 2012. The reenactors were part of OpSail 2012, which marked the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and brought international tall ships and naval vessels to Hampton Roads and other port cities. (U.S. Army photo/Kerry Solan)

FORT NORFOLK, Va. -- A War of 1812 reenactor checks the flag here June 9, 2012. The reenactors were part of OpSail 2012, which marked the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and brought international tall ships and naval vessels to Hampton Roads and other port cities.  (U.S. Army photo/Kerry Solan)

FORT NORFOLK, Va. -- A War of 1812 reenactor checks the flag here June 9, 2012. The reenactors were part of OpSail 2012, which marked the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and brought international tall ships and naval vessels to Hampton Roads and other port cities. (U.S. Army photo/Kerry Solan)

FORT NORFOLK, Va. -- A War of 1812 reenactor stands in the shade of the Officers Quarters/Shell House here June 9, 2012. The reenactors were part of OpSail 2012, which marked the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and brought international tall ships and naval vessels to Hampton Roads and other port cities.  (U.S. Army photo/Kerry Solan)

FORT NORFOLK, Va. -- A War of 1812 reenactor stands in the shade of the Officers Quarters/Shell House here June 9, 2012. The reenactors were part of OpSail 2012, which marked the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and brought international tall ships and naval vessels to Hampton Roads and other port cities. (U.S. Army photo/Kerry Solan)

NORFOLK, Va. -- Fort Norfolk will host the Battle of Craney Island anniversary reenactments 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The fort's anniversary events will commemorate the American victory over the British at Portsmouth's Craney Island on June 22, 1813.

The free event will feature Norfolk Historical Society reenactors using a swivel gun on a 16-foot wooden boat and period firearms to portray the historic Craney Island amphibious landing. 

Visitors to Fort Norfolk will be able to park outside the gate and will need a valid federal or state-issued photo ID card to access the fort.

Fort Norfolk, the last remaining of 19 harbor-front forts authorized in 1794 by President George Washington, is colocated with Norfolk District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  

The fort is open to the public for free, unguided tours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Sunday.