FMHA’s Museum Happenings is published monthly and more frequently as needed to keep you up to date on events at Fort Miles Museum.
D-DAY CEREMONY AND OPEN HOUSE
In 2022, Fort Miles Museum inaugurated a ceremony to honor those who fought on D-Day and the campaign that followed. Many of those soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice to free Europe from tyranny.
The Allied landing in northern France began June 6, 1944. Soldiers from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and other Allied nations faced Hitler’s Atlantic Wall, landing on the Normandy beaches to begin a campaign that lasted until July 24, 1944.
Our D-Day Memorial Ceremony established a tradition we plan to continue for many years. The 2023 ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 4, and will be conducted by Fort Miles Historical Association. A Fort Miles Museum open house will follow from noon to 2:30 p.m. with docents onsite.
For a riveting read that follows individual soldiers through their D-Day journeys, “The First Wave” by Alex Kershaw is highly recommended.
BATTERY 519 TOURS AND MUSEUM HOURS
This month, indoor tours of Battery 519 are offered:
11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, except no tours will be conducted Tuesday, June 6, through Saturday, June 10.
Sundays: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (if demand warrants, additional tours may be offered). On Sunday, June 4, FMHA will host an open house from noon to 2:30 pm.
Note: Battery 519 opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. each Tuesday through Saturday. For ages 7 and older with a paying adult ($5 per person). Limited access to Fort Miles Museum exhibits is available for those not wanting to join a guided tour.
Reservations are recommended for all tours conducted by Delaware State Parks. Visit destateparks.com/programs and click on Fort Miles Historical Area under Choose A Park. For “day of” reservations only: 302-644-5007.
On Sundays, Fort Miles Museum opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 2:30 p.m. Reservations are not required (nor accepted) for Sunday tours conducted by docents from Fort Miles Historical Association. The tour costs $5 per person (free for veterans and active-duty service personnel).
Note: An open house from noon to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 4, will be held instead of scheduled tours.
MORE FORT MILES-RELATED PROGRAMS FOR JUNE
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
8:30 p.m., Saturdays, June 14 and June 28
Tour Battery 519 by lantern light as your state parks guide reveals U-Boats on the prowl, sailors in distress and details about 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
12:30 p.m., Thursdays, June 22 and June 29
Join Delaware State Parks historic interpreters as they demonstrate the basics of loading and firing an artillery piece. Meet at the Fort Miles Orientation Building at the base of the lower parking area. Free.