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).
Museum Events Venue Grand Opening Scheduled for July 11, 2019
As updated below, the new Fort Miles Museum Events Venue is now open! To celebrate the opening of the Events Venue, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, July 11th.
When: July 11, 1 pm
Where: Fort Miles Museum Events Venue, Battery 519
Who: 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; Mark Chura, Executive Director, FMHA and Construction Manager of the Events Venue Project
What: Introducing the Great Dunes Overlook Events Venue at the Fort Miles Museum – ribbon cutting, light refreshments, self-guided tours of Battery 519 with docents on hand to answer questions and provide information.
Fort Miles Museum Construction
On June 8th and 9th, the first events were held at the new Events Venue displaying the versatility of this indoor/outdoor venue overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The first wedding at the venue was held on June 8th following by a book signing event on June 9th.
Thanks to the generosity of the artist Abraxas, a drone video was filmed during the wedding and will be available for viewing on this website in July.
Paving is now complete for 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 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
- Wednesday 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.
UPDATE: Starting July 15th and running through August 25th, tours will also be offered each Monday. Please call 302-644-5007 for details.
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:
- July: Wednesdays, (7/3, 1o, 17, 24, 31) 8:30 PM
- August: Wednesdays, (8/7, 14, 21, 28) 8 PM; Saturdays (8/10 and 8/24) 8 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
- July: Saturdays, 7/6 and 7/20, 6 PM and 7:30 PM
- August: Saturdays, 8/3, 8/10 and 8/31, 4:30 PM and 6:30 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, 7/5 – 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, 7/4 – 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, 7/6 – 8/31, 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, 7/3 – 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.
