A large part of the history of Baltimore centers around the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. The famous star fort and surrounding area became a national park in 1925, and the National Park Service has maintained and cared for the birthplace of the Star-Spangled Banner since 1933.
Though its military value declined in the late 19th Century, the park service is proud to mention the old fort has never been abandoned by the military and citizens of Baltimore.
The fort, which withstood a British naval assault during the War of 1812, attracts between 750,000 to 800,000 visitors a year. Many of today’s visitors are veterans and military retirees. During World War I, the area was used as a military hospital and the Coast Guard used the property during World War II.
“The U.S. Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps and the Air Force haven’t left this place at all,” Fort McHenry Park Ranger Shannon McLucas said. “We frequently have active duty military as visitors. We have some folks here for retirement and change of command ceremonies and re-enlistments.”
That active-duty participation will continue Sept. 9 during Defender’s Day weekend when Fort Myer’s 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), The U.S. Army Band, The U.S. Army Chorus and Pershing’s Own Herald Trumpets are scheduled to perform Twilight Tattoo-style musical performances. According to the National Park Service, Pershing’s Own will perform the 1812 Overture and The Old Guard Presidential Salute Battery will also be on hand and will participate in a ship-to-shore re-enactment bombardment of the 1814 Battle of Baltimore.
According to McLucas, the Defender’s Day observance has been celebrated since 1815 and starting in 1884, commemorations of the successful defense of Baltimore take place at the fort.
The NPS staff prides itself on supplying living history at the star fort each day. At 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., flag-changing ceremonies take place which allow visitors to learn about the author of the National Anthem, Francis Scott Key and participate in folding and unfurling a star-spangled banner.
“There’s no better way to learn than to be doing it,” McLucas said. “Our ranger programs and living history programs try to bring history to life. As for the flag change, we kind of joke our visitors get put to work straightaway. They raise the flag with us. That parade ground is theirs because they put the flag up in the morning and take it down for the evening.”
Historic weapons demonstrations and ranger talks are also available during operating hours when weather permits.
The Fort McHenry is located at 2400 East Fort Avenue in Baltimore’s Locust Point neighborhood. The admission fee to enter the star fort is $10 for adults 16 years of age and older. There is no admission fee for kids 15 years of age and younger.
A free, annual pass is available for current U.S. military personnel and their families. See https://store.usgs.gov/pass.
The historical site is also available via Baltimore’s water taxi system. For more information on the water taxi, go to baltimorewatertaxi.com for route and schedule information.
For more information on the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, call the visitor center at 410-962-4290.
Pentagram Staff Writer Jim Dresbach can be reached at jdresbach@dcmilitary.com.