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About WEBA|
Fort Ward & the Defenses of Washington Fort Ward was constructed during the American Civil War (1861-1865) as one of the defensive forts built to protect the Federal capital of Washington, D.C. The fort site remains approximately 90-95% intact, with the Northwest Bastion restored to illustrate the appearance of the entire fortification circa 1864. The fort site is surrounded by a 45-acre park and is interpreted by Fort Ward Museum through exhibits, programs and a 2000-volume Civil War research library.Fort Ward is owned and operated by the City of Alexandria, Virginia through the Office of Historic Alexandria. The Museum and historic site is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. When Virginias secession from the Union became effective on May 24, 1861, the capital city of Washington, D.C. was placed in imminent danger. Located directly across the Potomac River from Virginia, the Federal capital was vulnerable to a possible attack by the Confederate army. On the morning of May 24, 1861, Federal troops moved into Northern Virginia to secure the capital and began building earthen forts to serve as supply bases south of the Potomac River. Construction of additional forts was dramatically accelerated on both sides of the Potomac River after the Confederate victories at the Battle of First Bull Run (July 1861) and the Battle of Second Bull Run (August 1862). By the time the war ended in April 1865, Washington, D.C., guarded by 161 earthwork forts and batteries known as the Defenses of Washington, had become one of the most heavily fortified cities in the Western Hemisphere. The only time Confederate forces attempted to penetrate this line of defenses was in July 1864, when Maj. Gen. Jubal A. Early attacked Fort Stevens, the northern-most fort in the system. The Museum and historic site is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information on Virginia Civil War trails / locations Historic Fort Ward | Fort Ward Museum | Fort Tour | Parts of Fort | Fort Ward Map |
