FMHA Museum Happenings is published monthly and more frequently as needed to keep you up to date on events at the Fort Miles Museum.

Battery 519 Tours and Museum Hours

This month, indoor tours of Battery 519 are offered:

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11 a.m.
Wednesday and Saturday: 2 p.m.
Sundays: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (additional tours may be offered Sundays based on demand)

Note: Battery 519 opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Battery 519 opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. For those not taking a guided tour, limited access to museum exhibits is available as well as access to the free Oil Still Bleeds exhibit.

Reservations are recommended for all tours conducted by Delaware State Parks on the Tuesday through Saturday schedule. Visit destateparks.com/programs and click on Fort Miles Historical Area under Choose a Park. For “day of” reservations only, call 302-644-5007. Reservations are not required (nor accepted) for Sunday tours conducted by Fort Miles Historical Association.

More Fort Miles Related August Tours

Except as noted, reservations are recommended for the programs and tours below. Reservations can be made at destateparks.com/programs. For “day of” reservations only or other information: 302-644-5007.

FORT MILES LANTERN TOUR

Every Wednesday: 8 p.m.
Tour Battery 519 by lantern light as your state parks guide describes U-boats on the prowl, sailors in distress and insights into a soldier’s life at Fort Miles during World War II. Tours meet at the Fort Miles Orientation Building. For ages 10 and up with a paying adult. $6 per person.

ARTILLERY DEMONSTRATION

Every Thursday (except August 11): 12:30 p.m.
Join a Delaware State Parks interpreter to learn the basics of loading and firing an artillery piece. Meet at the Orientation Building. These are free programs with no reservation needed.

TRUCKIN’ THROUGH HISTORY

Every Saturday (except August 13): 5 p.m.
Take a ride on a historic World War II troop-carrying truck on a park tour to see lesser-known remnants of Fort Miles. Tours meet at the Orientation Building. For ages 7 and up accompanied by an adult. $10 per person.

More information on the Truckin’ Through History tour and Fort Miles is available in this great Delaware Beach Life magazine article, “Riding Back in Time.” Consider subscribing to this publication for in-depth articles on Delmarva life and history.

Oil Still Bleeds Exhibit Continues

Oil Still Bleeds is a tribute to Delaware’s forgotten servicemen who were at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The exhibit is designed around a 650-pound relic from the battleship USS Arizona, which was sunk during the attack and still bleeds oil to the lagoon surface. The exhibit features two large touch screens to educate visitors about the Pearl Harbor attack and the sinking of the Arizona. 

This exhibit and the 16-inch artillery barrel outside the main entrance present the bookends of World War II. Oil Still Bleeds represents the beginning of the war. The surrender ceremony ending the war took place under the 16-inch barrel. This is one of the few sites where visitors can visualize the beginning and end of World War II.

In August, Oil Still Bleeds will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Exhibit is free.