The National Park Service will offer a special program on the history of third system of United States coastal fortifications by fort expert and author John R. Weaver II at the Fort Moultrie Visitor Center, located at 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 6:30 pm. This program will be free.
In 1816 the United States started the most extensive program of coastal defense in US history. Over the next 51 years, 42 third system forts were built from Maine through the Florida Keys to New Orleans, with two forts on the west coast, both in San Francisco Bay. Almost all of these forts still stand guard along our shores, and most are open to the public. Fort Sumter was originally a third system fort.
Mr. Weaver’s talk will provide the background of these forts - why they were built, where they were built, and how they functioned against land and water attack. He consults with the National Park Service and several state park agencies, training staff and volunteers on fortification history and technology. His book, “A Legacy in Brick and Stone" is considered the definitive work on this subject. Copies will be available for sale after the program.
Fort Moultrie is located at 1214 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. The fort ‘s story represents the entire history of static seacoast defense in the United States, from the American Revolution to the end of World War II. It is best known for the Patriot defeat of the British Navy on June 28, 1776. The site is open daily from 9 am - 5 pm and includes a visitor center with museum exhibits and an orientation film. Fort Moultrie has a park entrance fee of $7.00 per person, ages 16 and older or an annual Fort Moultrie pass is $20.00. The America the Beautiful - the National Parks and Federal Recreational Land Pass is valid at Fort Moultrie, but not for the ferry to Fort Sumter.
Now entering its second century, the National Park Service continues to explore new ways to help visitors connect and find their parks. For more information on park news, events and programs, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FtSumterNPS, www.facebook.com/FtMoultrieNPS, and www.facebook.com/PinckneyNPS. Visit the park websites at www.nps.gov/fosu and www.nps.gov/chpi, or call 843-883-3123. You can also share your park experience with others by posting on social media with the hashtag #FindYourPark. Come find yours today!
www.nps.gov
Tags: third system fort book signing forts history talk
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
