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).
VJ Day Salute – September 2, 2019
FMHA will host a ceremony on September 2nd at 11 AM to salute Delaware’s 800 service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country during World War II. Starting last year, 100 names were read and saluted with the ringing of a chime. 100 additional names will be read this year.
The event with seating provided will commence at 11 AM next to The Big Gun at the top of the Museum’s Artillery Park. Following a presentation of the colors by an American Legion Honor Guard and remarks from Dr. Gary Wray, the names of 100 Delaware service men and women will be read with a chime salute as each name is announced. Self-guided tours of Battery 519 will be available until 2 PM following the ceremony with FMHA docents on hand to answer questions.
All of the above is free of charge. (The standard Delaware State Park admission fees do apply to enter Cape Henlopen State Park by car).
Donations to help support FMHA are always appreciated!
The Museum Gift Shop and Art Gallery will also be open.
Spring – Summer Firsts
FMHA/JROTC Scholarships
The Fort Miles Historical Association was proud to award the very first FMHA/JROTC scholarships on May 22nd at the Cape Henlopen High School JROTC Awards Night. FMHA Board President Dr. Gary Wray and Board Member Merritt Cooch presented $500 scholarships to Almita Celeste Ramirez-Montano and Yvette A. Rodriguez Villagomez.
These scholarships rewarded Almita and Yvette for their dedicated volunteer efforts on behalf of Fort Miles throughout the 2018-2019 school year. Almita and Yvette, both graduating seniors of Cape Henlopen High School and enrollees in JROTC, were selected as scholarship winners based on number of volunteer hours, GPA score and overall dedication to volunteerism and the continuing preservation and expansion projects at Fort Miles. FMHA looks forward to continuing the JROTC Scholarship Program for the 2019-2020 school year and to connect with new and returning JROTC volunteers. Well done, ladies!
The Great Dunes Overlook Events Venue
The Great Dunes Overlook was formally opened on July 11th. Shawn Garvin, Secretary, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (“DNREC”); Ray Bivens, Director, Division of Parks and Recreation; Dr. Gary Wray, President, Fort Miles Historical Association; and Mark Chura, Executive Director, FMHA who also served as the Construction Manager for the project were all present for a special ribbon cutting to celebrate the new Events Venue at the Museum. Read the Cape Gazette article by Ron MacArthur.
7 Days per Week Summer Schedule
Another summer first occurred In July when the Museum opened on Monday, July 15th and will continue to be open on a 7-day per week schedule through September 7th. See the August Discover Battery 519 Toursschedule shown below for daily tour times.
FMHA “Summer Sundays” Tours Continue
FMHA docent led Summer Sundays Tours take 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.
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
- August – Early September: Through Saturday, September 7th, Delaware State Parks will offer regularly scheduled tours of Battery 519 as follows: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 AM and 2 PM; Wednesdays at 11 AM; Fridays at 2 PM.
- September 11th – October 19th: Wednesday – Saturday, 11 AM and 2 PM. Please note: 9/21: 2 PM only; 9/14, 9/28, 10/12: 11 AM only.
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)
By mid-August, the regularly scheduled tours for the Fall months will be announced. This post will be updated when the Fall tour dates are in place.
Lantern Tours of Fort Miles are scheduled as follows:
- August: Wednesdays (8/7, 14, 21, 28) 8 PM; Saturdays (8/10 and 8/24) 8 PM
- September/October: Saturdays (9/21, 10/5, 10/19) 6:30 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
- August: Saturdays 8/3, 8/10 and 8/31, 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM
- September/October: Saturdays (9/14, 9/28, 10/12, 10/19) 2 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
- August – Friday 8/30, 11 AM
- September – Saturday, 9/21, 1:15 PM
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 through 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
- August – Saturdays through 8/31, 10:30 AM
- September – Saturday (9/21) 10:30 AM
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 through 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.
