Fort Monroe’s “Freedom Fortress”
For more than 400 years, Old Point Comfort and Fort Monroe have served at the forefront of our nation’s history. From the 17th-century explorations of Captain John Smith who encountered the Kecoughtan, inhabitants of this landscape for hundreds of years, through the American Civil War and into the 21st century, this special place figures prominently in our country’s story. In recognition of its historical and cultural significance, Fort Monroe has received several national and international designations to celebrate and protect this area’s important heritage.
- 1960 – Fort Monroe was designated a National Historic Landmark.
- 1966 – Fort Monroe was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 2011 – President Barack Obama signed a proclamation creating the Fort Monroe National Monument, one of 423 parks in the national park system.
Become a Junior Park Ranger
The National Park Service are looking for new recruits to become junior rangers during your visit to Fort Monroe. Junior ranger recruits will engage the historic features of Fort Monroe in their own time to complete a series of activities, earning a badge, a certificate, and the rank of junior ranger.
