Fort Pulaski National Monument Celebrates Founders Day
On Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, Fort Pulaski National Monument will celebrate the establishment of the National Park Service 96 years ago.
Congress established the National Park Service on Aug. 25, 1916 with the passing of the National Park Service Organic Act. This day, now known as "Founders Day", commemorates the creation of the National Park Service "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Fort Pulaski was proclaimed a National Monument by President Calvin Coolidge on Oct. 15, 1924.
To celebrate the 96th birthday of the National Park Service, Fort Pulaski National Monument will provide complimentary cake to visitors at the park's Visitor Center between 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM. The Visitor Center will also be showing excerpts from Ken Burns' documentary "The National Parks: America's Best Idea". Visitor Center hours will be 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
Additional Founders Day activities will include fort tours and historic weapons demonstrations. Activities are scheduled from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The fort will be open to the public from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM. The park gates close at 6:45 PM.
Founders Day schedule follows:
Saturday, August 25
10:00 AM Guided Fort Tour
11:00 Cannon Firing Demonstration
12:00 PM Musket Firing Demonstration
1:00 Cannon Firing Demonstration
1:30 Guided Fort Tour
1:30 - 3:30 PM National Park Service Birthday Cake
2:30 Musket Firing Demonstration
3:00 Cannon Firing Demonstration
4:00 Guided Fort Tour
5:00 Musket Firing Demonstration
Fort Pulaski National Monument is on U.S. Hwy 80, 15 miles east of Savannah. An entrance fee of $5 per person is charged; ages 15 and under are free. Call the park at (912) 786-5787 for details, or visit the park's official website.
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
