ESTABLISH FORT MONROE AS A NATIONAL
MONUMENT
Fort Monroe Casemate and cannons
Arial Photo Courtesy of the Fort Monroe Authority
FO RT M O NRO E: Birthplace of the Civil War-era Freedom Movement
Serving as a key defensive site at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay for 400 years, Fort
Monroe is one of the least known and most important places in America. It was the landing
site of the first enslaved people brought to North America, and functioned as an assembly,
training, and embarkation point for U.S. forces in the Seminole Wars, suppression of Nat
Turner’s Rebellion, Black Hawk War, Mexican War, and Civil War. Fort Monroe protected
important military and civilian resources located inland during World War I and World War
II. Since then, it has served as a major headquarters for training soldiers for war.
One hundred and fifty years ago, Fort Monroe became the birthplace of the Civil War-era
freedom movement when three brave enslaved men escaped the Confederate Army and
fled in a small boat to relative safety at Fort Monroe. There, the Union commander seized
these men as “contraband” of war, an unusual legal maneuver that provided refuge for the
three men, and in turn, heralded the beginning of the end of slavery in America. Over the
course of the Civil War, more than 500,000 African American women, children, and men
would liberate themselves, following in the footsteps of those first three freedom seekers
at Fort Monroe, leading to one of the war’s most extraordinary—and overlooked—
chapters. Preservation of Fort Monroe is critical to our Civil War heritage.
CHALLENGE: The Future of Fort Monroe Remains Uncertain
On September 15, 2011 the U.S. Army will vacate Ft. Monroe following the recommendation
of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, and the lands and buildings will revert
to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Governor of Virginia is willing to donate key
property at Fort Monroe to allow the National Park Service to help manage this treasured
national historic resource in partnership with the Commonwealth. However, it may be
years before a National Park designation would be enacted by Congress. To survive, it is
imperative that the buildings and lands at Fort Monroe remain in productive use.
NATIO NAL TRUST RECO M M ENDATIO N: Establish Ft. Monroe as a National
Monument
For More Information: Denise Ryan, Program Manager for Public Lands Policy, 202-588-6347 or Robert
Nieweg, Director of the Southern Office, 202-588-6107; www.preservationnation.org/issues/public-lands
Fort Monroe should be preserved and interpreted to benefit the American public through
a joint working partnership of the National Park Service and the Commonwealth of
Virginia. This constructive partnership is supported by Virginia’s Hampton Roads
Congressional Delegation, Governor Robert McDonnell, Hampton’s Mayor Molly Ward, the
Fort Monroe Authority, as well as the nation’s historic preservation and conservation
communities.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation believes that establishment of a National
Monument through the Antiquities Act would be a win-win for the American public and for
this nationally important historic place. Establishment of a National Monument now would
allow Congress to continue to pursue a National Park designation for Fort Monroe through
legislation while the working partnership of the National Park Service and Commonwealth
of Virginia would kick off immediately after the Army leaves Fort Monroe.
Fort Monroe, moat and Chesapeake Bay
Dog Beach
Old Quarters #1
O UTCO M ES: Many Benefits for Fort Monroe, Virginia, and the Nation
National Monument status would give this little known but nationally important historic
place the attention and recognition it deserves while increasing heritage tourism in the
Hampton Roads area. It would help protect our shared heritage at Fort Monroe while
providing important assets for interpretation, public education, and recreation. The first
Presidentially proclaimed National Monument in Virginia would bring much-needed
national attention to the hidden story of the Civil War-era freedom movement and better
educate the public about one of the Civil War’s most inspiring chapters.
ROLE OF THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION :
Protect Irreplaceable Historic and Cultural Resources on Public Lands
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization
bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them.
With our headquarters in Washington, D.C., nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites,
and partner organizations in all 50 states, we provide leadership, education, advocacy and
resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities
committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the
future of America’s stories. For over 20 years, the National Trust for Historic Preservation
has worked to preserve irreplaceable historic and cultural resources located on federal
public lands throughout the United States.
For More Information: Denise Ryan, Program Manager for Public Lands Policy, 202-588-6347 or Robert
Nieweg, Director of the Southern Office, 202-588-6107; www.preservationnation.org/issues/public-lands
NATIONAL
TRUST
FOR
HISTORIC
PRESERVATIONfi
June 8,
2011
Stephanie K. Meeks
PRESIDENT
The Honorable Barack H. Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Re: National Monument Designation for Historic Fort Monroe, Hampton, Virginia
Dear President Obama:
I am writing on behalf of the National Trust for Historic Preservation to respectfully
request that you utilize your authority pursuant to the Antiquities Act to create a
new National Monument at Fort Monroe to commemorate the rich layers of heritage,
culture, and nature which distinguish this irreplaceable historic place.
As a National Monument, Fort Monroe should be preserved and interpreted to
benefit the American public through a joint working partnership of the National Park
Service and the Commonwealth of Virginia. This constructive approach is supported
by the Virginia Congressional Delegation, Governor Robert McDonnell, Hampton’s
Mayor Molly Joseph Ward, the Fort Monroe Authority, as well as the nation’s historic
preservation and conservation communities.
Fort Monroe is an unparalleled treasure of our shared American heritage and the
unique birthplace of the Civil War-era "Contraband" movement for selfemancipation. Contraband heritage is one of the least well-known and most
important chapters of American history. Contraband heritage commemorates the
struggles and triumphs of 500,000 African American women, children, and men who
freed themselves from slavery at great risk and, thereby, secured their own liberty,
influenced national politics, and hastened the formal Emancipation Proclamation, On
the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, there is no better place to
understand Contraband heritage than historic Fort Monroe, and no better way than
creation of a National Monument at Fort Monroe to inspire contemporary dialogue
about the pursuit of justice and active self-determination.
The National Trust has been engaged throughout the land-use planning process
triggered by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Act decision to close Fort
Monroe. We recognize the exceptional benefits afforded to Fort Monroe by the firstrate Programmatic Agreement, Reuse Plan, and Design Standards developed by the
Fort Monroe Authority, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and others. These
tools provide a strong foundation for historic preservation and compatible economic
development at Fort Monroe. The National Trust also has supported the legislative
effort to establish a new National Park at Fort Monroe, and we are confident that, as
1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036
P 202.5886105
F 202.588.6082
E [email protected] www.PreservationNation.org
The Honorable Barack H. Obama
June 8, 2011
Page Two
a National Monument, Fort Monroe would benefit from the coordinated stewardship
of the National Park Service, Fort Monroe Authority, and Virginia Department of
Historic Resources.
The National Trust has direct experience with the sort of partnership we propose for
Fort Monroe. We are a founding Key Partner of the innovative Cedar Creek & Belle
Grove National Historical Park in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. With Belle Grove,
Inc., the National Trust is proud to be the longtime steward of historic Belle Grove
Plantation, which is the heart and de facto visitor center for the National Park. We
retain ownership and control of our property, and greatly value the current and
future contributions of the National Park Service and Virginia Department of Historic
Resources to our common goals for the Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National
Historical Park.
The actions taken in 1861 at historic Fort Monroe changed America forever. The
National Trust for Historic Preservation strongly supports the Presidential
designation of Fort Monroe as a National Monument, and I respectfully request you
take action to designate Fort Monroe as a National Monument through your authority
pursuant to the Antiquities Act.
With warmest regards,
Stephanie K. Meeks
S K M/r In