- Photos posted on my blog are mine unless stated otherwise. BH

Friday, May 17, 2019

Inside the Fort

Back to February and a visit to a Fortress.
Mid February we took a drive back to Fort Monroe and this time instead of seeing just the outside parameter, we decided to go inside.

Interesting place.  Driving around to the gate to see inside the Fortress.
Located in Hampton Virginia, a decommissioned military installation.
Virginia's Peninsulas Southern tip.
Completed in 1834 and named in honor of James Monroe.
History explained → https://fortmonroe.org/about/fort-monroe/history/
 
  Definitely worth taking the time to read.  Hi lite address, copy and paste in browser.

To the inside of the fort



We stopped at the Chapel of the Centurion first before we took in other sites inside.







The army's oldest wooden structure in continuous use.  Named after the Roman Centurion, Cornelius.
Beautiful wooden cross

Stained glass window that is now in the museum we toured at the Fortress

explanation of the window


Next some historical quarters like this one


Some restoration going on and I had to zoom in to see the ceiling and the doorway



A short clip of this place showing more of the house



Now the big gun

I couldn't get over how big this thing was.  Huge.


A walk around it in this short clip



Onto the casement museum which is a series of interconnected casements. Vaulted chambers that are within the forts walls.



Passing by the casement Jefferson Davis was held









video of entrance to casement and of the cistern

We are cautioned as we enter that the archways are low.  The average size of soldiers manning guns like the ones we see here were average 5'8" tall and 143 1/2 pounds in weight.


Early days
 Early days





















Strength of the fort

Steve walked to Flagstaff Bastion

From top of Fort.

Nine stories and sits on Fort Monroe.  The Chamberlin was once a hotel.  Today a retirement community.  It overlooks Hampton Roads at Old Point Comfort.


I zoomed in a little closer

From the top is Old Point Comfort Lighthouse

Checking out this barge going by from the top


This is a steep climb from the inside for sure.  But such a neat look over the water from the top.

14 comments:

  1. Dearest Betsy,
    Pleased to see that there was some renovation going on as we need to keep what little historic sites we have in this nation! It is so important for the next generations to learn from history and actually get to see it.
    Great photos and short video clips.
    Thanks for going there and sharing with your readers!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Hello Mariette,
      I agree, we want to pass this on to our grandchildren. I am amazed at what it took to build this structure. It's impressive at what they could do with what they had to work with in those times. I want the children to appreciate what it took to protect our shores at that time especially.
      Happy Saturday Mariette,
      Betsy

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  2. Wow, Betsy what a great tour of Fort Monroe. It has been years since I've visited and it looks like they have made it into a wonderful museum. I'm so glad they did that! I didn't realize that The Chamberlain is now a retirement community. I remember staying there when I was a teenager with a youth organization. My, I think I'm getting old. Things don't stay the same, do they?

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  3. Betsy what a joy to visit your blog today. You certainly took us on an amazing tour.

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    1. Thank you for visiting and glad you enjoyed it.

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  4. aww....great buildings...
    Reading your post like reading the history of great America.....
    thank you for series of amazing photos and videos... love them all.

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    1. So glad you do Tanza. Remarkable structure and soooo historical.

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  5. Thank you for sharing your trip Betsy. I felt like if I was there with you. Great place!! I love well preserved history like this.

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  6. Replies
    1. I rechecked and that weight is correct. It's a big one and I bet half the people were deaf after using that thing.

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  7. Betsy, another wonderous adventure. I spotted the wagon at the foot of that gorgeous bed. Just like my coffee table! Keep on and thanks for sharing. So interesting..Happy Weekend..xxoJudy

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  8. Great set of photos of Fort Monroe. I've been there a couple of times but want to go back now that it is no longer a military base. I think more sites are open to the public now.

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Enjoy reading your comments always!
If there is a return email address when I check my moderation of comments, I will reply then. If no reply is enabled, I will reply to comment under post. Thank you - Betsy