fort monroe's casemate museum

This fort played an important role in the Civil War, it remained in Union hands throughout the conflict, saw the battle between the Virginia( the former Merrimac, refloated and iron clad) and the Monitor plus served as a prison at the end of the war for Jefferson Davis, former president of th Confederacy. Also interesting are the various Coastal Artillery emplacements scattered in the forts grounds, time when huge cannons defended our ports from invasion.

I honestly do not want to write a review about this place because it's kinda like my little secret....but that would be very selfish of me!! Just stop reading and GO! It's peaceful, beautiful and informative. Informative decribes the museum, the peaceful and beautiful decribes the beach that it sits on. My children, husband and I love it here!!

If you are interested in a leisurely "at your own pace" walking way to explore military history in the Tidewater Virginia area, Fort Monroe and, in particular, its Casemate Museum should be on your "Bucket List." Fort Monroe is located on the Hampton Roads waterway and, as a result, has several small sandy beaches. The Casemate Museum itself contains many interesting artifacts and exhibits depicting the history of this fort's history since it was founded in 1820. The volunteer docent tourguides are excellent and are very knowledeable about the fort's history. In fact, some of them are retired military folks who were stationed at Fort Monroe at some point during their careers. There is no fee to tour Fort Monroe or its Casemate Museum but making a small donation to the museum itself is always a good way to show your appreciation.The fort closed as a military facilty in 2011 but it is now fully open to the public both as a place to live and as a place to visit. The fort itself is very small for an ex-military installation so walking its inner fort where the Casemate Museum is located is an excellent way to explore this piece of America's past. Last, but not least, if you are an "RV'er" there is a 13-site full hookup RV campground called "The Colonies" located on Fort Monroe as well. Stop by to spend a few hours, a full day or, perhaps a longer onsite stay in the RV park.

When Ft. Monroe closed, locals were worried that the museum would go, too. Fortunately, that was not the case. When visiting last, the museum was much as I remembered. It's the cavelike feeling of the casemate you will remember, how it must have felt to be stationed or held there in the 19th century, the eeriness of Jefferson Davis' cell you will remember. Oh, and when you are done inside, climb the steps to the roof and visit the pet cemetery.

Being able to walk the ramparts of this impressive fortress and look out on the sound it protected is amazing. The Casemate museum built into the fortress wall has something to appeal to everyone, models, explanations exhibits and rooms. Stand in cell where Jefferson Davis was imprisoned. The whole story of this important location from native north American settlement, Civil War to World War 2 defence base is set out for you.Despite visiting on a bitterly cold February day with snow falling, the underground museum was warm and dry.

I was not all that keen on seeing this place, but was urged to go by my friend.I am glad I went. It is well kept, well organizied and interesting.Actually the going into the fort, which is build inside the fortress walls, was very cool.The rest of the grounds are attractive and well maintained.

Drive into Ft. Monroe (through the REALLY) narrow entrance and pull into the parking area near the museum. It doesn't look like much. But it turns out that the museum runs for many feet, left to right, inside the casemate (which is beyond the wall that you see). Basically, it's long and narrow. Inside are some very nice displays re the history of the area and the fort, right up until the present. Also a very nice set-up with cannon inside the casemate with crew. Gives you a great idea of what it would have been like. We spent an hour there and had to leave at 4:20 so we will go back (we have 40% of the museum left to see!).

We didn't know much about Fort Monroe before we got there, but we had a great time. The casement museum is a very well laid out, informative museum. You meander through portions of the fort and get a sense of it's role over time. There are some really interesting bits of civil war and African American history to be found here, and it's the location where they held Jefferson Davis after the war, which I hadn't known before the museum. Probably a better museum for older kids, it's a lot of reading on your own, but if you are even vaguely interested in the history of the Fort and the Civil War, you'll definitely enjoy your time here.

If you are a history buff, especially if you are a Civil War buff, this place is a must. The entire location - Fort Monroe is a place every American should see. It is too bad that the US Army left this post in 2011.

The Museum is small(ish) in size but large in detail. There is an amazing amount of information within the Casemate Museum.From the foundings of Fort Algernourne through the field artillery school (and Jefferson Davis' prison time) the displays are intriguing and informative. You can also walk above the casemates along the entire portion of the old fort. Along with the museum, you can also see a home where Robert E. Lee lived as a young officer.

Fort Monroe is historic high point for many, many reasons. The Casemate Museum (free!) is beautifully put together and you can see the whole place in less than two hours.Plus there is a very nice beach and a view of the ships going through Hampton Roads.

After visiting many of the more well known tourist areas nearby, we decided to head to the casemate museum. loved the drive in the tunnel to get into the fort, was a little tight but loved it. We had the museum on our visit all to ourselves. It's unlike any museum I have ever been in, just wonderfully done to fit within the walls of the fort. Lot's of exhibits and things to learn about.A must see if you are in the area.

A great pplaceto visit. Many historic things happened here at the mouth to Hampton roads harbour.this is a recent decmissioned army base with beautiful Older homes inside and outside the most. Ft Monroe is designated as A park.has a beach.marina. restaurants and amazing views of Water

If you're into history, this museum is for you. The casemate where Jefferson Davis was held to to various cannons and uniforms from the Civil War. The stroll through is not educational, but awesome. The gift shop has great gifts and there are books about the Ghosts of For Monroe which you may find interesting.

Where do Istart? I've been coming to Fort Monroe for more than 15 years. This place has so much history you walk what seems like underground to view the museum. The museum is surrounded by a moat, and has so much information on the civil war. From Jefferson Davis to Robert E. Lee. On top of it is a cemetery as well as a pet cemetery and so beautiful scenery of the ocean. The whole Fort itself is so beautiful, we bring a picnic and sit at the beach out front.