Fort Monroe

Fort Monroe is a military fortress on the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton, Virginia, constructed following the United States Third System of coastal defense. The installation includes stone bastions, deep water-filled moats, and artillery positions spread across a large coastal area.

The fortress remained under Union control during the Civil War and offered refuge to escaped slaves through the contraband policy established in 1861. This decision made the site an important sanctuary for people fleeing slavery.

The Casemate Museum displays military exhibits with coastal artillery, Civil War artifacts, and the cell where Jefferson Davis was imprisoned. Visitors walk through stone corridors and see how soldiers lived and worked inside the fortified chambers.

Visitors can explore walking trails, beaches, and waterfront paths while learning about military architecture through guided tours of the fortification. The paths are mostly flat and run along the coast with views over the water.

Edgar Allan Poe served as a soldier in an artillery regiment at Fort Monroe in 1828 and reached the rank of Sergeant Major during his military service. He spent several months at the fortress before beginning his literary career.