Harbor Defense Museum, Military museum in Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn, United States
The Harbor Defense Museum is a military museum housed in Fort Hamilton displaying weapons, uniforms, cannons, and military artwork. Its collection spans from the 18th century to modern times, documenting the evolving methods of harbor protection.
The fort itself was built between 1825 and 1831 to protect New York's harbors during a period of coastal defense expansion. The museum was founded in 1980 and occupies a caponier, an underground structure within the fort designed for defensive purposes.
The museum tells the story of Fort Hamilton's role in New York's defense through the eyes of those who served and worked here. Exhibits show how soldiers and civilians experienced daily life at this military post across different periods.
The museum is located at Fort Hamilton Parkway and 101st Street in Brooklyn and is open weekdays. The underground location means visitors should be prepared for dim lighting and cool temperatures during their visit.
The museum displays a rare collection of Confederate mining equipment and remnants of a defensive harbor net designed to stop submarines during World War II. These pieces reveal lesser-seen aspects of coastal defense that surprise many visitors.
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