The FMHA “Museum Happenings” is published monthly to keep you up-to-date on Happenings at the Fort Miles Museum. This blog will be updated monthly (or more frequently, as needed).
April and May were busy months at Fort Miles!
“Delaware Goes to War”
The annual Fort Miles Open House took place on Saturday, April 27th. Over 1,000 visitors toured the Fort Miles Museum and 1,500 more visited the Cantonment Area and Artillery Park, where they met dedicated historical interpreters and viewed authentic WWII vehicles and equipment.
FMHA docents were on hand throughout the day in Battery 519, along with historical interpreters. Visitors received briefings on the operations of a coastal artillery fort from Fire Control Towers to Plotting Room warship tracking to a simulated firing of a 12” Artillery Gun.
See event photos taken by the Cape Gazette’s own Ron MacArthur.
Fort Miles Museum Construction
In May, the new Events Venue received several final touches – carpeting was installed on the indoor portion of the Venue, privacy doors were installed to allow use of the Venue when Museum tours are being conducted, electrical work was completed and an outside bandstand area is nearing completion.
With paving largely completed, great progress was made on the new entry road leading to the Museum’s Orientation Center as well as a new fee-based parking area behind the Orientation Center.
Continued thanks to the Longwood Foundation and Crystal Trust, whose generous grants helped make these projects possible and to our Delaware Legislators and Governor John Carney, who provided much needed additional funding.
See a slide show tracking construction progress on the Home Page.
FMHA “Summer Sundays” Tours to Begin May 26th
FMHA docents conducted tours of the Museum on May 26th, which kicked off our Summer Sunday tours taking place each Sunday through August 25th. Battery 519 opens at 10 AM on these Sundays and closes at 2:30 PM. FMHA docents conduct tours at 11 AM and 1 PM, with each tour lasting 45 to 60 minutes. The fee is $5 per person and $15 for families, with children under 7 admitted free. The Museum Gift Shop in Battery 519 and Orientation Center Gift Kiosk are open from 10 AM to 2:30 PM.
Special FMHA Related Events
Rehoboth Beach Goes Red, White & Blue – Saturday, June 8th
The Rehoboth-Dewey Chamber of Commerce is putting on their fourth Beach Goes Red, White & Blue annual event on Saturday, June 8, 2019. We will be displaying some of our WWII equipment from 11 AM to 3:30 PM and later at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand Area: the 90mm gun, the searchlight, a Deuce, and a Half Cargo Truck. The searchlight will be operating in the day and evening. At noon, men and women in “attractive” uniforms from a USO Troupe will be singing. As you all know, lots of food, fries, and ice cream will be vended. Visit the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Chamber of Commerce website for a sample of these uniforms and a full schedule of the day’s events. Also see Recent Posts for even more information.
Book Signing – Sunday, June 9th
Lewes History Book Festival and FMHA host author Sarah Rose to present her new book D-DAY GIRLS for a book signing at the Fort Miles Museum Events Venue, Battery 519.
Delaware State Parks Battery 519 Tours and Lantern Tours of Fort Miles + Truckin’ Through History, Artillery Park Walk, Artillery Demonstration, Cold War Bike Tour and Way Back Wednesday
Visitors wishing to see Battery 519 can also do so by joining scheduled tours conducted by Delaware State Parks’ interpretative guides. These tours are scheduled as shown below.
Discover Battery 519 Tours are scheduled as follows:
- June: Saturday, 6/1, 11 AM and 2 PM
- Wednesday, June 12th through Saturday, September 7th, Delaware State Parks will offer tours of Battery 519 as follows: Wednesdays at 11 AM and Fridays at 2 PM; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 AM and 2 PM.
Discover Battery 519 tours are for ages 7 and up with a paying adult(s) ($5 per person). Pre-registration is required – please call 302-644-5007.
Please note: continuing through August 25th, tours are also available each Sunday at 11 AM and 1 PM conducted by FMHA docents. (See above for more details)
Lantern Tours of Fort Miles are scheduled as follows:
- June: Wednesdays, 6/19 and 6/26, 8:30 PM
- July: Wednesdays, (7/3, 1o, 17, 24, 31) 8:30 PM
Lantern Tours are for ages 10 and older. Pre-registration is required – call 302-644-5007. Limit 30, $5 per person.
Truckin’ Through History
- June: Saturday, 6/22, 6 PM and 7:30 PM
- July: Saturday, 7/6 and 7/20, 6 PM and 7:30 PM
Take a ride on a historic WWII troop carrying truck and see some of the lesser known areas that comprised Fort Miles. Tickets are required and may be purchased the morning of the ride at the Fort Miles Orientation Building. Tours depart from the Biden Center. These rides are for age 7 and older, with an adult required to accompany each group. Groups are limited to 4 tickets. There is a maximum of 12 riders per trip. $8 per ticket – first come, first serve.
Artillery Park Walk
Fridays, 6/14 – 8/30, 11 AM
Many types of artillery pieces were placed throughout Fort Miles to protect the Delaware Bay. A historic interpreter will walk up to 20 persons through the outdoor Artillery Park and explain the purpose of each weapon. This walk is for ages 7 and older accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is available by calling 302-644-5007. Meet at the Fort Miles Orientation Building. Free.
Artillery Demonstration
Thursdays, 6/27 – 8/22, 12:30 PM
Watch as uniformed historic interpreters demonstrate the basics of loading and firing an artillery piece! Free, with paid park entrance fee.
Cold War Bike Tour
Saturdays, 6/15 – 8/31, 10:30AM
Ride with a park historian to see Cold War relics throughout the Park. Hear tales of Doomsday ships, spies, submarine tracking and more. Please bring your bike. For ages 10 and older accompanied by an adult. Limit 20. Pre-registration is required by calling 302-644-5007. $5 per person.
Way-Back Wednesday
Wednesdays, 6/12 – 8/28, 2 PM
A historical interpreter will discuss the less well-known operations that took place at Fort Miles. Learn about the quarantine center, observation towers, Battery X and more! Free with park admission forming at the Orientation Building.
Other Events and Programs at Cape Henlopen State Park
There are many other daytime and even a few evening events offered at Cape Henlopen State Park this spring and summer. An expanded array of events and programs for the summer months will be published shortly. Pick-up a Delaware State Parks guide at the Park office or visit www.destateparks.com/Cape.
