Calendar of Events Interactive History at Delaware’s Only Civil War Site! Take the Three Forts Ferry to Fort Delaware, where you can become a part of an historic day in the life of this restored 19th-century prison fortress! Your living history experience unfolds during daily activities and must-see spectacular reenactments throughout the summer. You’ll discover new, special event attractions that will give you an even deeper insight into the people who lived through the bloodiest war in our history.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS (NO EXTRA CHARGE)

May 4, Jun 22/23, July 20/21, Aug 10/11, Sep 28/29 Civil War Assistant Surgeon There were several Surgeons at Fort Delaware. Ours come directly to the fort from the battlefield and they can tell you what it was like to be a field doctor –and his patient.

May 5, June 29, July 13, September 14, 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM Fort Delaware Lecture Series Fort Delaware –Gibralter of the East - Learn about the massive armament of Fort Delaware, and why she was the most powerful fortress in America. Conducted by Fort Delaware Society Board Member Dan Cashi

May 11, Jun 1, Jul 13, Aug 3 Small arms and Tactics of the Civil War What’s the difference between a musket and a rifle? Why did they keep soldiers shoulder to shoulder in battle? Learn the answers and more in this great program. See a large collection of original and reproduction Civil War-era weapons from pistols to swords and learn how they work.

May 18, June 1, July 6, Aug. 3, 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM Fort Delaware: Andersonville of the North? For decades Fort Delaware and other northern prisons have been called the "Andersonville of the North". What was it really like?

Memorial Day May 27th 10:00 AM-6:00 PM Memorial Day: Re-Dedication Day The Grand Army of the Republic, the largest Union Veterans organization in America, as a time of solemn remembrance and gratitude for fallen in defense of the Union, officially created Memorial Day. Some years later, Memorial Day was set aside to show our respect and gratitude for all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. On this day we honor those who fought for America. A special ceremony will mark the event both at Fort Delaware and Fort DuPont. The Fort DuPont Ceremony will take place at noon featuring reenactors of the first and second world wars. The Fort Delaware Ceremony will take place at 3 PM on the parade ground at the Fort. Visitors may wish to take this opportunity to visit the National Cemetery at Finn’s Point, New Jersey, where the graves of Fort Delaware Confederate and Union soldiers lay beneath a marble monument.

June 9, July 27, August 24, September 22, 11:30AM and 1:00 PM Tracing Your Civil War Ancestor Have family stories of great-great-grandfather in the Civil War, but can’t track him down? Learn how you can trace your Civil War roots and receive actual copies of his military, medical, pension, prisoner of war –and court martial—records.

July 4th: The All-American Pea Patch Island 4th of July Family Picnic Bring your picnic basket or pick up lunch at the concession stand and the family to Fort Delaware this 4th of July and join us for an old-fashioned family picnic. There are grills and tables, and we’ll have old-time games like sack, peanut and egg-carrying races for young and old. Our Park Interpreters will present Civil War-style patriotic oratory and we’ll fire the big 8-inch Columbiad in salute of our Nation’s Birthday.

September 2 Labor Day Come learn the "rest of the Fort Delaware story" –the Endicott Era and beyond, as the US Army re-arms Fort Delaware with their massive 12-inch Disappearing guns, mines, and other armament. Enjoy a Park Staff-guided tour of the Endicott section of the Fort and watch a video of these types of guns in action.

BIG EVENTS • BIG EVENTS • BIG EVENTS • BIG EVENTS

June 8 2d Annual Escape from Fort Delaware Triathalon. Watch as up to 500 athletes from all over the US compete in grueling competition as they "escape" from Fort Delaware! This Olympic distance triathlon, co-sponsored by Escape from Fort Delaware Triathlon, Inc. and Main Street Delaware City, Inc., begins on Pea Patch Island. Hundreds of triathletes will begin this grueling physical challenge in the shadow of Fort Delaware. The 1500-meter (9/10-mile) swim across the Delaware River is only the beginning of this athletic endurance. Then the althletes will bike 40K (25 miles) down Route 9, across the Reedy Point Bridge, and then double back to Delaware City. Finally, the contestants will run a 10K (6.25 miles) course to Gunning Bedford School and back to Delaware City. Come to Delaware City’s waterfront park and cheer on these courageous athletes! Arrive early by 8am at the Delaware City Park to see the triathletes get ready for this event. Viewing of this event is from Delaware City only.

June 15-16 Mid-Atlantic Field Music School Civil War music fills the air at Fort Delaware as over 100 musicians from all over the U.S. come to the island. Led by national level instructors and expert musicians, these artists participate in a recreation of a special musician’s school held during the war. Come see and hear dozens of fifers, buglers and drummers. You will not see so many Civil War musicians or hear so much period music anywhere else! Programs will end early on Sunday, so don’t be late!

August 17-18 Garrison Weekend It’s 1863. The Battle of Gettysburg has ended and thousands of prisoners are being moved into the fort. The dramatic story of Fort Delaware is beginning to unfold. This year, “life as a POW” is the theme, as we bring in hundreds of the country’s highest-quality Confederate and Federal living historians to portray guards and prisoners in and around the new POW barracks and the fort. But there’s much more! The ladies are cooking up some fun for all with a lemonade stand, children’s games, a re-creation of an infamous picnic near Wilmington, period crafts for the kids, a tea social (with the ladies discussing how life was on the island.) and maybe even some homemade ice cream! Plus, all of the usual Fort Delaware characters will be on hand to make the fort look and feel as if it’s 1863. Sit in on a court martial, listen to period music and see and participate in lots of interactive demonstrations and tours! Programs will end early on Sunday, so don’t be late!

Haunted Fort Delaware As Halloween approaches, the legendary ghosts and ghouls at Fort Delaware rise again to make the hair stand on your head. This is not your average ghostly tour! Ghost-hunter Ed Okonowicz joins us again as we seek out the undead of Pea Patch Island and their otherworldly secrets. Bring your bravest face! Cost: $20.00 per person. Limit 55 per group

Special note for Teachers!!! Did you know that Fort Delaware State Park offers a wide variety of special living history programs both on and off site. We encourage you to consider bringing your class to the fort or let us come to you with our African American programs or a number of other interesting special interests tailored to your needs. The staff at Fort Delaware, in cooperation with the Delaware Teacher Center, offers a number of special programs for teachers during the summer. For a copy of Teaching with Delaware’s Historic Places and booking information please call the park office at 302-834-7941.

SEASONAL PROGRAMS

DAILY ACTIVITIES

Weekends and Holidays, April 27–September 29. Also open Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from June 12–August 30. Program times vary. Contact the park office for daily schedules.

Children’s Infantry Drill Soldiers at Fort Delaware practiced their drill for four hours every day. We won't work quite as hard, but we will have a great deal more fun as we line up the youngsters and teach them some of the complicated drills of the 19th-century army. Parents: Bring lots of film for the camera because this is one you will want for the scrapbook!

Heavy Artillery Drill For five years this has been the hands-down favorite program of our visitors. This totally interactive program drafts recruits from the audience for the heavy artillery at Fort Delaware. Under the watchful eye of the officers, these new recruits will learn to handle the implements required to load and fire our 32-pounder gun.

The Fort Delaware Laundress Meet one of the fort’s laundresses and help her wash clothes the 19th-century way! You’ll need plenty of elbow grease as you learn the proper use of a scrub board and find out how to get your whites whiter, without using bleach. And it’s not all wash tubs and flat irons. You may also find out some interesting tidbits of gossip.

Infantry Drill Drill for the soldier took place almost every day, sometimes for hours on end. But, there was a reason! Officers and NCOs needed orderly, controllable formations that could react almost instantly to a command. Here’s a chance for you to see and learn how and why drill was so important.

Weapons Demonstration The average soldier was required to load and fire his musket three times per minute! That took careful practice until it became automatic. Learn how it was done and what Civil War small arms were capable of. You will be surprised!

Easu, Blacksmith apprentice and Freeman Dozens of African Americans helped to build and operate Fort Delaware during the Civil War. Skilled blacksmiths, carpenters, stone masons, and laborers worked throughout the war to complete the project. African Americans in Delaware — It is a story of struggle and triumph over slavery and racism.

Officer’s Kitchen "What’s for dinner?" you might ask. How about knuckle of veal, with some raspberry shrub to wash it down. Compare "receipts" with a civilian cook who’s been hired to cook for the officers. You may learn the secrets of Mrs. Patterson’s famous oyster fritters!

Interview with a Rebel Learn about prison life at Fort Delaware, in an actual reconstructed section of the prisoner barracks on the original spot. Was Fort Delaware the "Andersonville of the North"? Come and find out!

Mr. Whitehead, Blacksmith and Overseer Visit the blacksmith shop and meet the English labor overseer and blacksmith John Whitehead. He is a very busy man, in a very busy shop, working iron for the engineers at the Fort. Mr. Whitehead will teach you the tools of the trade and place a leather-apron upon you should you choose to become a temporary apprentice. Great fun for all ages.

LIMITED EDITION PROGRAMS

Hands-On Blacksmithing–Meet one of Fort Delaware’s blacksmiths, and learn how to make wrought iron items the way it was done 150 years ago. Must be at least 12 years old. Cost: $5.00 for 1 hour. Limit 4 persons.

Artillery Demonstration–Fort Delaware could fire over 40,000 pounds of iron in 30 minutes at an enemy ship. Come see our real 8-inch Columbiad—the largest fireable Civil War cannon in the United States—up close and personal! Learn what the fort’s guns could do and how a crew fired this giant. Cost: $2.00 for 1 hour. Limit 70 persons.

Behind the Scenes Tour–How do you restore and interpret a CW fortress? Take a tour of Fort Delaware "off the beaten track" with park staff. Prior to becoming the manager, George worked with the parks exhibits section and was responsible for many of the furnishings at Fort Delaware. Cost: $3.00 for July 4th.

Tea Social–Tea time was important in American as well as English culture. It was not just a time for socializing and relaxation but could be a highly structured ritual. This was a time to talk about politics, the latest fashions and books and to gossip about the island’s social life. Held picnic-style, in the shade in front of the fort. Join in on the fun! Cost $3.00 for 45 minutes. Limit 6 persons.

Bayonet Drill–Every soldier had to know how to use his bayonet. We will discuss the nature of infantry tactics and bayonet use in the Revolutionary War as opposed to the Civil War. Finally, you will engage in the drill using a practice weapon, as it was prescribed on General George McClellan’s 1862 Bayonet Drill. Cost: $2.00 for 45 minutes. Limit 10 persons.

Trying on the Civil War–The clothing worn by both soldiers and civilians during the Civil War differs greatly from what we wear today. In this program we will discuss and display clothing of the period. You will then be able to try on reproductions of Civil War-era clothing! Be sure to bring a camera! Cost: $3.00 for 45 minutes. Limit 10 persons.

Civil War Cooking–Everyday cooks had to prepare meals for the soldiers, officers, and families. Take a visit to the Officers’ Kitchen and not only learn how it was all done, but get in there and do it yourself! The different types of kitchens found at the fort, varieties of foods available and cooking methods will be discussed. Get in there and help knead the bread, roll pie crust, plank fish, and much more! Cost: $3.00 for 45 minutes. Limit 8 persons.

7 p.m. , June 7, 21; July 19; August 2, 23; Sept. 6, 13, 21 (The September 21 tour leaves from Fort Mott, NJ) Candlelight Ghost Tours Join our favorite Ghost Host, author Ed Okonowicz, and our staff for a lantern lit tour of the old Fort. Visit the most haunted areas of the fort and, maybe, meet a ghost or two. These special programs are offered by reservation only. They do book up quickly, so we recommend that you make your reservations early to avoid disappointment. For information and reservations, call the park office at 302-834-7941. Price $12.00 per person (Limit 86 per group.)