Day 04 – Fort Monroe, Maritime Museum
Today, we set out to explore some highlights of the Hampton Roads area. First, we will visit Fort Monroe, which was built after the War of 1812 to guard the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River on one side, and the James River on the other. Confederate President Jefferson Davis was imprisoned here for two years after the Civil War. For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Monroe
Fort Monroe sits out on a small area away from the mainland, but connected by 2 bridges and a small section of beach.
Fort Monroe is surrounded by a moat and high stone walls. There are four small bridges that pass through openings to the fort. These can easily be closed, securing the fort. It’s almost like an island within an island.
View of the moat around Fort Monroe.
Another view of the moat around Fort Monroe. Imagine trying to cross the water while soldiers in the fort are shooting at you from those small windows around the entire perimeter.
Once inside, we started at the museum. The marker above the middle door marks the area where Jefferson Davis was imprisoned.
Before going in the museum for the tour, we walked along the top of the outer walls, looking out to the Chesapeake Bay and James River.
To get to the top of the outer walls, we had to climb up the steps. No elevators back then.
Walking along the top of the outer walls. Those metal tracks were used to point the cannons at enemy ships.
View from the top of Fort Monroe looking out over the Chesapeake Bay and the James River.
Owen is looking at either ships in the distance or pretty girls on the beach. Norfolk Navy shipyards are in the distance.
Owen and Grandma Beth enjoying the view.
Time to head back down to the museum and look around inside the old buildings.
Owen and Spencer enjoying one last look from the top of the outer wall.
Neatly stacked cannonballs by the museum entrance.
The hallway to the museum begins here.
Pretty soon, the ceilings get lower and lower. You had better duck down!
At the museum, Owen had fun with the interactive touch screen display. Kids and technology! At his age, I was amazed with Frisbees.
We started our tour, anxious to learn about some of the history inside these walls.
Better duck your head! We learned about how hundreds of soldiers worked in these confines.
Soon, we reached the area where Confederate President Jefferson Davis was imprisoned for two years after the Civil War.
For the first few months of his two-year confinement, Jefferson Davis spent his time in this small cell. After that, he was moved to larger quarters until he was released in 1867.
I thought the brick pattern in the main hallway was interesting.
After our visit to Fort Monroe, it was lunch time. One of Beth’s nephews works at one of these in Texas, so we decided to give it a try. All they have are chicken fingers, but served in a variety of ways. They were very good!
Enjoying our lunch at Raising Cane’s.
After lunch, we headed to the Air Power Park on Mercury Boulevard. There is a nice airplane museum and displays.
Owen enjoyed looking at the hundreds of airplane models in the museum.
Our next stop was the amazing Mariners’ Museum and Park. This museum houses the remains of the Civil War ship Monitor, as well as hundreds and hundreds of interesting displays covering several centuries.
This figurehead was from the USS Lancaster, built in 1880-1881. (See next photo for notes)
Notes related to previous photo.
Owen, Spencer, and Grandma Beth checking out some of the displays at the Mariners’ Museum.
Model of a Korean Turtle Ship. See notes on next photo.
Notes from previous photo.
Remains of the Civil War ship Monitor, which sank in a storm in December 1862 off the shore of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
This ship was most famous for facing off with the USS Merrimack in March 1862. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Some notes about the USS Monitor.
The actual cannon from the Monitor – salvaged from the wreck off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
After sitting in the ocean for over 150 years, all forms of sea life has attached itself to the remains of the USS Monitor.
Owen is enjoying a birds-eye view of the room where restoration of the USS Monitor takes place.
Nice model of the Titanic, along with the famous iceberg.
This life vest was attributed to the Titanic.
There were displays of thousands of figurines from various old ships like the USS America.
Owen really loved the large touch screens.
After we finished inside the museum, we went outside to the gardens and playground.
Owen loved running through this tunnel at the playground. It looks like a time machine photo.
Owen and Lauren found a musical instrument in the playground.
Our next stop was the Williamsburg Outlets. Owen chose a new bear at Build-A-Bear. He named him Bodie.
I think Owen and Bodie are buddies!
Back in the room, Owen helped us warm up some leftover pizza while Spencer and Lauren explored the town.
Yum Yum! Owen is enjoying his pizza while admiring his Lego airplane.
Owen put stickers in his new book while Grandma Beth watched.
Owen and Grandpa Mike got some good reading time in together, and Owen enjoyed his new airplanes.
We had a busy day today – Fort Monroe, Raising Cane’s chicken restaurant, Air Power Museum, Mariners’ Museum, and the Williamsburg Outlet Mall. Tomorrow, Spencer, Lauren, and Owen will be heading home – about a 3-hour drive – after a quick stop to explore the Yorktown Battlefield on their way out of town.
See you all tomorrow morning! Proceed to Day 05.