Fort Monroe National Monument, National monument in Hampton, Virginia, US
Fort Monroe National Monument is a national monument and National Park System unit located on a peninsula in Hampton, Virginia, where the Chesapeake Bay meets Hampton Roads. The site covers a large stone fort surrounded by water on three sides, along with beaches, a marina, a historic lighthouse, and open lawns.
The site at Point Comfort has been used for defense since the early 1600s, when English colonists first built a wooden fortification there. The current stone fort was constructed in the early 19th century, and in 2011 President Obama designated it a national monument.
Fort Monroe is nicknamed 'Freedom's Fortress' because it became a refuge for people who escaped slavery during the Civil War. Visitors today can see the 1619 African Landing Memorial, a sculpture marking the spot where the first Africans arrived in English North America.
The grounds are free to walk through and easy to explore on foot or by bike, with waterfront paths looping around much of the fort. Some historic buildings are accessible through guided tours, which are worth checking on before your visit.
The Algernourne Oak, a live oak tree near the Parade Ground, is thought to be around 500 years old, making it one of the oldest trees in Virginia. It was likely already a mature tree when the first English colonists arrived at Point Comfort in the early 1600s.
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