The fort was nicknamed 'Freedom's Fortress' because it remained under Union control for the entire duration of the Civil War while located within Confederate territory.
Edgar Allan Poe was stationed at Fort Monroe in 1828 while serving under an alias in the U.S. Army.
The fort's design is based on the French 'Third System' of coastal defense, utilizing a hexagonal shape with seven bastions.
Jefferson Davis was held in a casemate at the fort for two years following the collapse of the Confederacy.
The Old Point Comfort area, where the fort stands, has been continuously occupied or fortified since the early 1600s.
The fort's stone walls are composed of over 2.2 million bricks and massive granite blocks transported from Northern quarries.
The 'Contraband' decision at Fort Monroe is widely credited as the first major step toward the eventual emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S.
Fort Monroe is the largest stone fort ever built in the United States, completed in 1834 to protect the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. It is a National Monument managed by the National Park Service, known for its strategic role during the American Civil War as a 'Freedom's Fortress.' In 1861, Union General Benjamin Butler issued the 'Contraband of War' decision here, which provided sanctuary to enslaved people and set a legal precedent for emancipation. The site remains surrounded by a deep, water-filled moat and features massive granite walls designed to withstand 19th-century artillery. Beyond its military architecture, the monument encompasses Casemate Museum, which details the imprisonment of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The area is located on the Old Point Comfort peninsula, a geographic point where the James River meets the Chesapeake Bay. Today, the former military base functions as both a historical site and a public park area with beaches and walking trails.
The view from the top of the ramparts looking out toward the Chesapeake Bay and the entrance of the harbor.
Bring comfortable walking shoes to navigate the historic moat trail and uneven masonry paths.
Check the National Park Service website for guided walking tour availability, as access to certain interior sections requires a guide.
Allow extra time to visit the nearby beach areas for panoramic views of the Hampton Roads harbor.
Do not attempt to enter clearly marked restricted or decaying historic zones outside of designated paths.
Casemate Museum is closed on major federal holidays and occasionally on Mondays depending on seasonal staffing.
Respect all posted signage regarding restricted military and historic building access; maintain a quiet demeanor inside the Casemate Museum.
