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).
Annual Open House – Delaware Goes to War – April 27, 2019
The biggest event of the Museum’s many 2019 scheduled tours and events will take place from 10 AM – 4 PM on Saturday, April 27th. Please access a detailed blog regarding this event on the FMHA Website Home Page or go to the “Tours & Directions” tab. Also please see a Home Page announcement regarding the 2nd Annual Delaware Goes to War Sketching Contest and Event.
Parking and shuttle buses will be available starting at 9:30 AM in the Cape Henlopen State Park Beach Bathhouse parking area. Come early, stay late!
But WAIT, there is more:
Starting at 5 PM, Delaware State Parks welcomes the Rehoboth Beach Concert Band for a free open air concert at the new Fort Miles Museum Events Venue at Battery 519.
Calling All Runners and Walkers
On April 7th the 2nd Annual BIG GUN RUN will start at the Fort Miles Museum and Historical Area and conclude at the Big Oyster Brewery on Kings Highway. Walkers and runners of all ages may participate and also enjoy a race end bash held at the Brewery. Details and entry forms are available at www.races2run.com.
Thanks to Big Oyster Brewery and Fins Hospitality Group a portion of the race proceeds will be donated to FMHA!
Fort Miles Museum Construction
March marked an important milestone in the ongoing construction of a new Events Venue at Battery 519 along with a new visitors’ entrance road and parking area. Thanks to the efforts of our contractors and FMHA Bunker Busters, a glass entranceway to new Events Venue was installed offering a magnificent view onto the outdoor area of the Venue overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. When completed the Venue will be a special place for weddings, concerts, meetings and numerous other events. Planning for the first wedding to be held at the Venue is in progress!
Also nearing completion is the new fee-based parking area behind the Museum’s Orientation Center. Visitors will have but a short walk to enter the Orientation Center to take tours of the Museum and see new exhibits to be located inside the 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.
Film and Lecture Series Concludes Winter Season
The FMHA film and lecture series, which was initiated in 2017, concluded another successful season in March. All three of the presentations were filled to maximum capacity in the Museum’s Media Room. Thanks to Dr. Gary Wray and our other speakers for featuring entertaining, knowledge building presentations throughout the winter.
FMHA “Summer Sundays” Tours Announced
To complement the many tours and programs at the Fort Miles Museum and Historical Area to be offered by Delaware State Parks this summer, FMHA is pleased to announce it will offer tours each Sunday commencing May 26th and winding up on August 25th. The Museum will open at 10 AM on these Sundays and close at 2:30 PM. FMHA docents will conduct tours at 11 AM and 1 PM, each tour lasting for 45 to 60 minutes. The fee is $5 per person and $15 for families, with children under 7 admitted free. The Museum Gift Shop will also be open from 10 AM to 2:30 PM.
BATTERY 519 TOURS AND LANTERN TOURS OF FORT MILES + TRUCKIN’ THROUGH HISTORY AND ARTILLERY PARK WALK
Visitors wishing to see Battery 519 on other days can 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:
- April: Each Friday (4/5, 4/12 and 4/19) at 11 AM and 2 PM; Saturday (4/13) at 11 AM and 2 PM and Saturday (4/20) at 11 AM only.
- May: Each Friday (5/3, 5/10, 5/17 and 5/24) at 11 AM and 2 PM; Saturdays (5/11, 5/25) at 11 AM and 2 PM and Saturday (5/18) at 11 AM only.
Please Note: No 2 PM tours on 4/20 and 5/18.
Lantern Tours of Fort Miles are scheduled as follows:
- April: Saturday, April 20th at 7:30 PM
- May: Saturday, May 25th at 8:00 PM
Lantern Tours are for ages 10 and older. Pre-registration is required – call 302-644-5007. Limit 30, $5 per person.
Note: Discover Battery 519 Tours and Lantern Tours – These tours form at the Fort Miles Museum Orientation Building. Tours are limited to 30 visitors and are for ages 7 or older. Advance registration is required. Please call 302-644-5007. The tour fee is $5 per person.
Truckin’ Through History
- April: Saturdays, 4/6 and 4/20 at 2 PM
- May: Saturdays, 5/4 and 5/18 at 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
Saturday, 4/13 at 10:30 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.
Other Events and Programs at Cape Henlopen State Park
April 6th: Time Travelers Basic Archaeology Workshop. Go to www.destateparks.com/Capefor details.
April 7th: 2nd Annual Big Gun Run sponsored by the Big Oyster Brewery and Fins Hospitality Group. Go to www.races2run.comfor details.
April 19th: 51st Annual Great Delaware Kite Festival. Go to www.destateparks.com/Capefor details.
There are many other daytime and even a few evening events offered at Cape Henlopen State Park this spring. An expanded array of events and programs for the summer months will be published in April. Pick-up a Delaware State Parks guide at the Park office or visit www.destateparks.com/Cape.
