Fort Monroe National Monument

This fort was originally built by Capt. John Smith in 1609. It stayed in service until World War II after it was upgraded and rebuilt. Today, the fort is both a historical monument and a vibrant seaside town off the coast of Hampton, Virginia.

The most significant contribution Fort Monroe made to American history was during the Civil War. On May 27, 1861, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler proclaimed that any escaped slaves that made their way to the fort were considered free. This was despite the fact that Virginia seceded from the Union a few months before. The fort miraculously stayed in Union hands for the entire war. Confederates were more concerned about Richmond, about 80 miles to the northwest.

Freedom's Fortress was a working military installation until after World War II. The distinct hexagonal shape is huge. The Chapel of the Centurion served as a wedding venue for relatives of former presidents. The Casemate Museum shows you where Jefferson Davis was imprisoned after the Civil War. Old Point Comfort Lighthouse guided ships into the harbor before modern navigational tools.

The surrounding town has everything you need for a vacation. A campground just north of the fort serves as a home base right next to the Atlantic Ocean.