THE FMHA “Museum Happenings” is published monthly to keep you up-to-date on Happenings at the Fort Miles Museum. This blog focuses on MARCH AND APRIL and, as noted, the blog will be updated monthly (or more frequently, as needed) thereafter. The blog will also include information about other scheduled events at Cape Henlopen State Park.

NOTE: Quick updates often appear as highlighted boxes or banners on the Home Page.

Fort Miles Historical Association Film/Lecture Series Events For March and April

Saturday, March 24th, 11:15AM:  U.S. Marines – The Assault on Iwo Jima. Though well known for the iconic photograph of the U. S. Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima, the importance of this victory is often overlooked as it related to the ultimate Japanese surrender. Attend this compelling presentation and learn why.

Saturday, April 28th, 1PM: American Battle Monuments Commission (“ABMC”).
Thousands of American soldiers killed during World Wars I and II are buried in overseas cemeteries close to where they fell. ABMC, as guardian of America’s overseas commemorative cemeteries and monuments, is dedicated to honoring the service, achievements and sacrifice of soldiers serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Learn more about these cemeteries and monuments and the role played by the American Battle Monuments Commission to honor our war dead and administer a data base of more than 218,000 individuals buried or memorialized at ABMC sites. A senior representative from ABMC is expected to be on hand for this presentation.

Tours of Battery 519 will be available on March 24th. Battery 519 will be open starting at 10:15AM in plenty of time for visitors to purchase tickets for the day’s first tour, which will start at 11:30AM. Visitors will be guided through Battery 519 by FMHA docents. The tour admission price is $5 for adults and children over 7. A $15 family rate is available. Tours will be offered starting at 11:30AM and continue every 30 minutes thereafter, with the last tour commencing at 2:00PM.

All Film/Lecture Series events are free to the public. These presentations will be held in the Media Room, Battery 519, Fort Miles Museum. Enter Battery 519 through the Fort Miles Museum Artillery Park. Seating is limited – no advance reservations. For additional information call 302-645-0753.

On March 24th, the Museum doors will open at 10:15AM to allow time for those wishing to attend the film/lecture (start time 11:15AM) to receive admission stickers by visiting the Museum Gift Shop. Seating is limited to the first 60 visitors and admission will be on a first come, first serve basis.

The April 28th American Battle Monuments Commission (“ABMC”) presentation will be one of many events offered at the annual Fort Miles Open House, Delaware Goes to War. Admission stickers for the ABMC presentation (start time of 1PM) will be available at the Museum entrance to Battery 519.

The Delaware Goes to War Open House starts at 10AM and features World War II re-enactors, events throughout the Fort Miles Historical Area every 30 minutes and an Sketching Contest for artists added as a new event for 2018. Go to www.fortmilesha.org/sketching to see details for the Sketching Contest.

Save the Date:  FMHA Film and Lecture Series – Saturday, May 26th, 11:15AM.

The film/lecture subject for May is Operation Overlord: the D-Day invasion and the subsequent Allies’ march to victory during the last year of World War II.

DISCOVER BATTERY 519:

FRIDAY’S IN MARCH – 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th, 11AM and 2PM
SATURDAY’S IN MARCH – 3rd, 10th, 17th, 31st, 11AM & 2PM (For March 24th, see above)

FRIDAY’S IN APRIL – 6th, 13th and 20th, 11AM and 2PM
SATURDAY’S IN APRIL – 14th and 21st, 11AM & 2PM

Discovery Battery 519: As noted above, guided tours of the Artillery Park and Battery 519 are led by Delaware State Parks’ interpretative guides. These tours form at the Fort Miles Historical Area Orientation Building.  Call 302-644-5007 for required advance reservations and tour information.

Battery 519 Lantern Tours: For a night time view of Battery 519, sign-up for a Lantern Tour offered by DSP interpretative guides. Lantern Tours will be conducted on Saturday, March 17th at 6:30PM and Saturday, April 21st at 7:30PM.

OTHER EVENTS AND PROGRAMS Offered in March and April at Cape Henlopen State Park:

  • 50th Great Delaware Kite Festival, Friday March 30th, 10AM – 3PM – SPECIAL EVENT
  • Delaware Goes to War, April 28th, 10AM – 4PM – SPECIAL EVENT
  • Shamrock Scavenger Event, Saturday, March 17th, 11AM
  • Feeding Frenzy, Saturdays, March 31st – May 26th, 2PM
  • Habitat Hunters, Wednesday, March 28th, 11AM
  • Amphibian Exploration, Saturday, March 31st, 11AM
  • Spring Migration Bird Hikes, Tuesday’s, April 3rd – May 15th, 8AM
  • Egg-Case Hunt!, Wednesday, April 4th, 11AM
  • Down to Earth Hike, Saturday, April 21, 11AM

To learn more about the programs listed above, including age restrictions and certain pre-registration requirements, and for information on other Cape Henlopen State Park programs visit the Delaware State Parks website (destateparks.com) or call 302-645-6852. The full 2018 Spring Program Guide is now available at the Park Office.