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President Obama creates new national park
President Obama created a new national park yesterday when he invoked the Antiquities Act for the first time in his presidency. The Commander in Chief used his executive powers to designate Fort Monroe, located in Hampton, Virginia, as a national monument, thereby adding it to America's National Park System.The region has a long and storied history, that dates back to the early 1600's when Dutch sailors first traded slaves the Old Point Comfort Peninsula, the future home of the fort. Later, many famous Americans would spend time inside its walls, including Robert E. Lee, who oversaw construction there during the 1800's. Edgar Allen Poe was stationed at Fort Monroe for a time, penning his famous poem "Annabel Lee" inside the fortress. Harriet Tubman worked at the fort's hospital, and Chief Blackhawk, who fought with the British during the War of 1812, was briefly imprisoned there, as was Confederate President Jefferson Davis following the end of the Civil War.
While the fortress may have started as an outpost for the slave trade, during the Civil War it became a symbol of hope for many African Americans. In 1861, the fort was occupied by Union soldiers when three escaped slaves arrived at the gates seeking asylum. The fort's commander, General Benjamin Butler, took them in and refused to return them to Confederate General Charles Mallory. Soon, thousands more would flock to the place, earning it the name of "Freedom's Fortress." Butler's bold move marked the beginning of the end for slavery in Virgina.
The President's proclamation not only includes the fort itself, but two miles of beachfront property and inland landscapes as well. Those environments are said to be excellent spaces for bird watching, hiking, camping and other outdoor pursuits. The newest park in the system offers both history and beauty in a single setting.
Naturally, the National Parks Conversation Association was quick to praise this move by the President, calling Fort Monroe "America's next great urban national park." The non-profit organization is dedicated to protecting America's parks for future generations, and sees the inclusion of this park as a historical and economic boon to the surrounding communities.
Fort Monroe is the 396th park in the U.S. system. To find out more about the place click here.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Hiking, History, Learning, North America, United States, Camping, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bill Nov 2nd 2011 8:15AM
It's a beautiful place and a great choice for a National Park. I lived in a home adjacent to the parade ground many years ago. Lots of memories.
Steven T. Corneliussen Nov 22nd 2011 3:02PM
You report that the president designated Fort Monroe a national monument, but in fact he only did that for the parts of the 565-acre former Army post that no one ever intended to ruin anyway. About 1/5 of Fort Monroe contains a moated, star-shaped stone citadel, but that "Fortress Monroe" is only part of the overall historic landscape. Almost all of this precious land, which goes back to the time of Jamestown in American history, was designated a national historic landmark a half-century ago. For six years here in Virginia, many of us have struggled for the principle that this precious place in its entirety belongs to the public, not to the private interests that the president -- sadly, amazingly -- has now privileged. He has joined Virginia's leaders, including certain journalists, who persist in a grim determination to treat Fort Monroe merely as big-time real estate. President Obama now countenances that theft. Please note that _after_ the president's announcement, a November 3 editorial in the Daily Press, a Tidewater newspaper, enthused about devising "an ambitious plan to develop Fort Monroe as a mixed office and residential area." That's how Virginia's leaders see this supposed national monument. Now, all agree that some development is to be desired -- but not where it harms the sense of place. In particular peril is the sense-of-place-defining bayfront beside and to the east and northeast of the moated citadel (i.e., to the right of the moated citadel in your aerial photo, which by the way doesn't show the upper part of Fort Monroe). It's a shame that the national media are paying so little attention to what's actually happening. What's actually happening is akin to inviting subdivisions onto a Monticello hillside or casinos to encroach on the Gettysburg battlefield. For a good discussion, see the November 3 Fort Monroe article and comments at the Web site of The Root, the Washington Post's African American perspective online magazine. The article is called "Mixed Reactions to Fort Monroe Monument," http://www.theroot.com/blogs/fort-monroe-and-designated-national-monument/mixed-reactions-fort-monroe-monument Thanks for the chance to comment. Steven T. Corneliussen, SaveFortMonroe@gmail.com