The FMHA “Museum Happenings” is published monthly to keep you up-to-date on Happenings at the Fort Miles Museum. This blog will be updated monthly (or more frequently, as needed).
April – A Busy Month at Fort Miles
2nd Annual Big Gun Run
On April 7th, the 2nd Annual Big Gun Run started in front of the Fort Miles Museum and Historical Area Orientation Center and ended 4.25 miles later at Big Oyster Brewery on King’s Highway. Over 400 runners participated in this year’s run/walk – more than double the number from the inaugural run in 2018. Many thanks again to Fin’s Hospitality Group as the primary run sponsor and host of a terrific after-race party at Big Oyster. Hats off to our FMHA sponsors to make a great day possible. Hats off as well to Races2Run and all of the FMHA volunteers who ensured the runners had a fun and safe experience. Look for photos of the Big Gun Run and more race details on the FMHA website Home Page in May.
“Delaware Goes to War”
“Delaware Goes to War,” the annual Fort Miles Open House, took place on Saturday, April 27th. Over 1,000 visitors toured the Fort Miles Museum and many more visited the Cantonment Area and Artillery Park, where they met dedicated historical interpreters and viewed authentic WWII vehicles and equipment.
FMHA docents were on hand throughout the day in Battery 519, along with historical interpreters. Visitors received briefings on the operations of a coastal artillery fort from Fire Control Towers to Plotting Room warship tracking to a simulated firing of a 12” Artillery Gun.
In addition, FMHA Board member Frank Ali oversaw a determined group of Mess Hall volunteers who served numerous hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages to hungry visitors throughout the day. Thanks to the FMHA volunteers who transported visitors up the Artillery Park hill to the Museum for tours in the newly painted FMHA golf carts. Thanks as well to the Delaware State Parks staff and police all of whom put in long hours to make the event a success.
Finally, thanks to our dedicated Sketching Event and Contest artists who braved windy conditions to complete their sketches working alongside professional artist Paul Rendel. Once completed, sketches will be judged by Paul later this summer and be on view in the Museum’s Visiting Artists Gallery inside Battery 519.
Look for photos of the day’s events and participants on the FMHA Home Page in May.
Fort Miles Museum Construction
The new Events Venue at Battery 519 received high praise from the Big Gun Run participants, who gathered at the venue prior to embarking on their 4.25 mile run to Big Oyster Brewery. Work continues in the interior of the venue (formerly the North Gun Room (“NGR”)) and on a new visitor’s entrance road and parking area. See a slide show of the construction progression on the website Home Page.
The Events Venue, offering a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean, will be a special place for weddings, concerts, meetings and numerous other events. In June, two inaugural events will launch the venue. The first wedding will be held on June 8th followed by a book signing hosted by the Lewes History Book Festivalon June 9th. Also note the Museum Events Venue is ready to host more events throughout the summer and beyond – simply email our Executive Director, Mark Chura, at mark@chura-assc.com to begin discussing your event.
Also nearing completion is the new fee-based parking area behind the Museum’s Orientation Center. Visitors will have but a short walk to enter the Orientation Center to take tours of the Museum and see new exhibits to be located inside the Center.
Continued thanks to the Longwood Foundation and Crystal Trust, whose generous grants helped make these projects possible and to our Delaware Legislators and Governor John Carney, who provided much needed additional funding.
FMHA “Summer Sundays” Tours to Begin May 26th
To complement the many tours and programs at the Fort Miles Museum and Historical Area to be offered by Delaware State Parks this summer, FMHA docents will conduct tours of the Museum each Sunday commencing May 26th through August 25th. Battery 519 will open at 10 AM on these Sundays and close at 2:30 PM. FMHA docents will conduct tours at 11 AM and 1 PM, with each tour lasting 45 to 60 minutes. The fee is $5 per person and $15 for families, with children under 7 admitted free. The Museum Gift Shop will also be open from 10 AM to 2:30 PM.
Save the Date: Sunday, June 9th
Lewes History Book Festival and FMHA host author Sarah Rose will present her new book D-DAY GIRLS for a book signing at the Fort Miles Museum Events Venue, Battery 519.
DELAWARE STATE PARKS BATTERY 519 TOURS AND LAN-TERN TOURS OF FORT MILES + TRUCKIN’ THROUGH HIS-TORY, ARTILLERY PARK WALK, ARTILLERY DEMONSTRA-TION AND COLD WAR BIKE TOUR
Visitors wishing to see Battery 519 on other days can do so by joining scheduled tours conducted by Delaware State Parks’ interpretative guides. These tours are scheduled as shown below.
Discover Battery 519 Tours are scheduled as follows:
- May: Each Friday (5/3, 5/10, 5/17 and 5/24) at 11 AM and 2 PM; Saturdays (5/11, 5/25) at 11 AM and 2 PM and Saturday (5/18) at 11 AM only. (Please Note: No 2 PM tour on 5/18.)
- June: Saturday (6/1) at 11 AM and 2 PM
- Wednesday, June 12th through Saturday, September 7th, Delaware State Parks will offer tours of Battery 519 as follows: Wednesday 11 AM, Friday, 2 PM; Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 11 AM and 2 PM.
Discover Battery 519 tours are for ages 7 and up with a paying adult(s) ($5 per person). Pre-registration is required – please call 302-644-5007.
Please Note: Starting May 26th and continuing through August 25th, tours are also available each Sunday at 11 AM and 1 PM conducted by FMHA docents. (See above for more details)
Lantern Tours of Fort Miles are scheduled as follows:
- May: Saturday, 5/25 at 8:00 PM
- June: Wednesday, 6/19 at 8:30 PM and 6/26 at 8:30 PM
Lantern Tours are for ages 10 and older. Pre-registration is required – call 302-644-5007. Limit 30, $5 per person.
Truckin’ Through History
- May: Saturdays, 5/4 and 5/18 at 2 PM
- June: Saturday, 6/2 at 6 PM and 7:30 PM
Take a ride on a historic WWII troop carrying truck and see some of the lesser known areas that comprised Fort Miles. Tickets are required and may be purchased the morning of the ride at the Fort Miles Orientation Building. Tours depart from the Biden Center. These rides are for age 7 and older, with an adult required to accompany each group. Groups are limited to 4 tickets. There is a maximum of 12 riders per trip. $8 per ticket – first come, first serve.
Artillery Park Walk
Friday, 6/15 at 10:30 AM
Many types of artillery pieces were placed throughout Fort Miles to protect the Delaware Bay. A historic interpreter will walk up to 20 persons through the outdoor Artillery Park and explain the purpose of each weapon. This walk is for ages 7 and older accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is available by calling 302-644-5007. Meet at the Fort Miles Orientation Building. Free.
Artillery Demonstration
Thursdays, 6/27 – 8/22, 12:30 PM
Watch as uniformed historic interpreters demonstrate the basics of loading and firing an artillery piece! Free, with paid park entrance fee.
Cold War Bike Tour
Saturdays, 6/15 – 8/31, 10:30AM
Ride with a park historian to see Cold War relics throughout the Park. Hear tales of Doomsday ships, spies, submarine tracking and more. Please bring your bike. For ages 10 and older accompanied by an adult. Limit 20. Pre-registration is required by calling 302-644-5007. $5 per person.
Other Events and Programs at Cape Henlopen State Park
There are many other daytime and even a few evening events offered at Cape Henlopen State Park this spring and summer. An expanded array of events and programs for the summer months will be published shortly. Pick-up a Delaware State Parks guide at the Park office or visit www.destateparks.com/Cape.