Ft. McHenry

A couple weeks ago we took an adventure to Ft. McHenry.  This was one of the whole families favorite adventures!

Here is your brief history moment of the day:

Ft. McHenry's shining moment in glory happened during the War of 1812.  Britain preferred things pre Revolutionary War so they decided to jump in for round two of American Independence.

They got off to a strong start retaking the Nations Capitol and saw Baltimore's Harbor as the next key conquest needed to seal the deal.  They moved their ground troops near Baltimore, but were pushed back.  They determined Ft. McHenry, which is out on a peninsula in the middle of the harbor, would need to be taken so that they could move their navy in to support a second push at Baltimore.  However, the British underestimated the Fort's artillery.  Because of the damage they knew the Forts close range canons would do to their ships they stayed far out in the harbor where their long range artillery could fire, but the Fort could not fire back.  This severely limited the damage their own canons could do.  All night the two sides fired at one another neither being able to take the upper hand.  As the sun rose Frances Scott Key (who was on a ship trying to negotiate the release of a fellow American prisoner) saw the American flag still flying and realized the British attack on his city had failed.  He then wrote a memorable poem describing the event.  His poem spread through America quickly and was soon put to music: The Star Spangled Banner.


Britain realized it could not overtake the Fort and consequently Baltimore so they went home and ended the whole campaign.  The lesson we learn from this:  Go Big ( and possibly sink your navy) or Go Home (which in the end they opted for).  To this day Marylanders have great pride in this victory.  Seriously, they do.

Inside a kind of bomb shelter

Class is concluded for the day.

As far as sight seeing went Ft. McHenry is a wonderful place.  They have a great museum and video inside.  Outside they've kept the Fort so that you can walk through nearly every nook and cranny.  Its too bad that the flag pole didn't make it to present day, but still very cool to see our flag waving over the fort and realize that's what Francis Scott Key was looking for when he wrote our anthem.

Prisoners Cells

The kids had a great time climbing in and over just about everything.  Savannah, well she was content to sit in her car seat inside the stroller.  I'd say the adventure was a success and definitely recommend a visit to anyone who feels like visiting Kimball and I (wink, wink).