Fort Washington Park, Fort Washington, MD

While we were in Washington DC for Aspire, Eric and I got to go to another National Historic site - Fort Washington on Thursday, October 9.  It is located in Fort Washington, Maryland on the Potomac River.

Another passport stamp for my National Parks book!

Unfortunately, due to the government shutdown, many of the national places we will want to visit will be shut down and closed.  This was one of them.  We were able to park outside the gates of the park and walk inside around the grounds.  While it was a nice walk, it took us a lot longer to see.

Fort Washington was built to defend the river approach to Washington, DC.  Fort Washington has stood as silent sentry for over 200 years.  As technologies advanced so did Fort Washington, from the brick and stone of the 20th century.  Joining the National Park Service in 1946, the park continues to protect the Potomac River.

Fort Washington was the only fort protecting the approach to Washington, DC at the time of the War of 1812.

When a British invasion fleet entered the Cheseapeake Bay in the summer of 1814, the American Secretary of War did not believe Washington DC a valuable enough target to warrant a British attach, and so he declined to make adequate preparations for the defense of the nation's capital.

Fort Washington was left understaffed and ill-equipped while British troops landed and engaged American defenders at Bladensburg, Maryland.  After routing the Americans, British forces entered Washington and burned its public buildings.  Fort Washington (sometimes referred to at the time as Fort Warburton), was soon abandoned and destroyed in order to prevent its capture by the enemy.

After the conclusion of the War of 1812, the United States recognized the need for a more thorough and modern coastal defense system, and many new masonry forts were constructed.  Fort Washington, recognized as the key position defending Washington DC, was repaired and updated, and remained an active defensive works until well into the twentieth century.

Built in the 1820's, this bright yellow building was once the home of Fort Washington's commander.  Today, it serves as the visitor center for Fort Washington Park.

Here is the fort!

It was so neat catching the sunset over the historic Potomac River!  Just thinking how George Washington lived on the other side of this river just a little ways down.

Such a pretty building and what a view!

After Fort Washington, we drove to Piscataway Park.  Just as Fort Washington, this national historic park was closed as well due to the shutdown.  I wanted to badly to see this one as well.  Very frustrating.  

This park was created due to a group of ladies who wanted to preserve the view that George and Martha Washington had from their home at Mount Vernon.  Which is directly across the river.  A sewer plant along with some other industry had put in bids for this land and they fought it.  Now it is a National Historic Park and it preserves the view from Mount Vernon just as the Washingtons saw it hundreds of years ago.  I hope one day to come back to see it.