Aerial View of Fort Monroe
A unique perspective only available from the air brings the entire scope of Fort Monroe into focus in one image. NPS Photo

Fort Monroe National Monument

National Monument · Virginia · National Park Service

Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619. Those escaping slavery sought their freedom at the fort during the Civil War. The fort remained bastion of national defense until 2011, when it became a national park.

Plan your visit

Know before you go

Phone
757-722-FORT (3678)
Official site
www.nps.gov
Managed by
National Park Service

Getting there

Directions on Google Maps →

What's here

Highlights: Architecture and Building · Archeology · Colonization and Settlement · Explorers and Expeditions · Maritime · Coastal Defenses · Maritime - Military · Lighthouses · Medicine · Hospital · Military · Artillery · US Army · US Navy · US Marines · Monuments and Memorials · Presidents · Wars and Conflicts · Colonial/European Contact Conflicts · Civil War · World War II · Women's History · Animals · Birds · Night Sky · Astronomy

Activities & features: Biking · Road Biking · Guided Tours · Self-Guided Tours - Walking · Hands-On · Citizen Science · Volunteer Vacation · Hiking · Living History · Reenactments · Historic Weapons Demonstration · First Person Interpretation · Wildlife Watching · Birdwatching · Museum Exhibits · Shopping · Bookstore and Park Store

Photos

  • Fort Monroe in foreground with USS Kearsarge in background.
    NPS Photo/Aaron Firth
  • sun setting over the moat of Fort Monroe
    NPS Photo/Aaron Firth
  • sunrise over the Parade Ground illuminates Algernourne Oak.
    NPS Photo/Aaron Firth
  • an Osprey dries its wings perched on a live oak.
    NPS Photo/Aaron Firth

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Sources: National Park Service, Google Places · updated 2026-08-12