Your kids may know the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Fewer know that Washington was once ringed by forts. Some of those earthworks are still there, in parks you can walk to with children. This guide helps you find them.
A city with a ring of forts
When the Civil War began, Washington was a capital close to the Confederate lines. The Union built a chain of forts and batteries on the high ground around the city. By 1865, the system had 68 forts and 93 batteries armed with over 800 cannons. Today the National Park Service manages 18 of the original sites. (NPS: Civil War Defenses of Washington)
Stop 1: Fort Stanton
Fort Stanton in Southeast DC was built in September 1861 to defend the Navy Yard. It stood along the Anacostia River and was one of the larger earthworks in that part of the defenses. It was named for Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Its walls ran 322 yards and it was set to hold 18 guns. (NPS: Fort Stanton)
Heads up: Fort Stanton is across the Anacostia River from Capitol Hill, so plan a short drive or ride to get there.
Stop 2: The Fort Circle Parks
DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation looks after many of the fort sites, known as the Fort Circle Parks. The areas around the forts also matter in African American history, because many freed people settled nearby. (DC Parks and Recreation: Fort Circle series) You do not have to see them all. Pick one or two for a family outing and check the park pages for current trail details.
Questions to ask along the way
- Why do you think soldiers built a fort on this hill? What could they see from up here?
- Why would a city need forts all around it, and not just one?
- What do the grassy mounds tell us about how the fort was built?
Plan your visit
- Time: Allow an hour or two per fort site, with time for questions.
- Bring: Water, snacks and sturdy shoes. Earthworks and trails can be uneven.
- Facilities: Check the NPS page for the site you choose before you go.
Make it a history weekend
Pair this with our walk through Capitol Hill’s historic alleys and our guide to historic Capitol Hill parks for a weekend of family history close to home.
Have you visited a Fort Circle site with your kids? Tell us about it in the comments.
Elizabeth Redd, the Publisher of this website, grew up in a small town called Newhall, West Virginia, before moving to Washington, DC, in 1964. She worked in Prince George's County Public School System in Maryland for 40 years, opened a wig shop, made clothes, and participated in fashion shows during the '70s and '80s. She worked part-time as a caterer for a couple of years. Hand dancing has been one of her passions. She has also worked in Internet marketing for the last ten years. She also has a passion for learning new things.
She has learned that success is measured not so much by the position one has reached in life but by the obstacles one has overcome while trying to succeed. One thing is for sure: she is living her best life.
