Fort Monroe National Monument

09/05/2026

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09/05/2026

Happy 75 years!

09/04/2026

Today we highlight National Wildlife Day, a day that is observed twice a year, once on February 22nd, and then again on September 4th in some regions including Virginia. National Wildlife Day brings attention to the dire urgency of protecting wildlife threatened by climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. Observing and celebrating National Wildlife Day serves to unite people in recognizing and acting upon the plight of every living creature on our biodiverse planet and clarifies the significance of both dates as opportunities for advocacy and awareness.

By fully embracing conservation now—such as supporting local wildlife organizations, joining local beach cleanups, reducing plastic use, or participating in habitat restoration—you can drastically safeguard our planet’s and Fort Monroe’s present and future wildlife for generations to come.

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NPS Photo.

09/01/2026

Merlin is a doggo who loves running on all cylinders—he’s always ready to let loose the zoomies and outpace even the Roadrunner! A seasoned explorer of National Park sites, Merlin recently raced over to Fort Monroe, eager to add this fortress to his ever-growing NPS compendium. While at Fort Monroe, he decided to become a B.A.R.K. Ranger and had loads of barking opinions about the experience, all expertly translated by his “paw-paw” (aka dad, who is the park ranger in the photos).

1. What’s your name? Merlin
2. Would you happen to have a nickname? “Duh Merlinatuh”
3. Where do you live? Virginia
4. What is your breed? Belgian Malinois x German Shepherd
5. What’s your age again? 7
6. How did you earn your Fort Monroe B.A.R.K. Ranger badge? I completed the B.A.R.K. Ranger activities with my friends and had a “paw-some” time doing so!
7. What do you like best about being a B.A.R.K. Ranger? Making new friends and teaching them the B.A.R.K. Ranger principles.
8. Are you a B.A.R.K. Ranger at any other sites? Not yet, but I definitively plan on earning more badges soon!
9. What’s the most important rule you remind humans to follow? That your “pawls” be on a leash no longer than six feet.
10. What’s the most important rule you remind other canines to follow? That your humans pack it in and pack it out.
11. Have you ever had any close run-ins with the wildlife here at Fort Monroe? Yes, some crows kept following me on my walk. What did you do? I gave them a bark and raised my paw, and the only response I received was “CAWW”!
12. Do you have a walking spot you favor most here at Fort Monroe? The parade ground! I enjoy watching the squirrels feed, but from a safe distance.
13. What was the highlight of your visit to Fort Monroe? Relaxing in the shade of the live oaks.
14. Do you have a treat that you savor the most? Pumpkin and green beans! Yum yum.
15. Now that you’re officially sworn in, are there any words of wisdom you could give to your furry friends who also aspire to become a Fort Monroe B.A.R.K. Ranger? Get your humans outside to visit National Park sites like I got my “paw-paw” to do! I’ll be back!

B.A.R.K. Ranger Principles:
B = bag your waste
A = always wear your leash
R = respect wildlife
K = know where you are permitted to go – check signs on buildings and beaches

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08/28/2026

Freedom has many stories.

In national parks, you can walk where people fought for independence, stood for equality, protected places sacred to their communities, pursued their dreams, and helped shape the nation we know today.

These places remind us that freedom is not just an idea or something we read about in a history book. It’s part of the stories, places, and people that have shaped America, and it continues to be something we experience, explore, and learn from in our national parks.



NPS Image: Known as “Freedom’s Fortress,” Fort Monroe National Monument holds a remarkable story of people who came to its walls seeking freedom during the Civil War.

08/27/2026

We are excited to announce that Kurt Ikeda has joined the National Park Service at Fort Monroe as the new Supervisory Ranger! Kurt brings a wealth of experience as an educator in Los Angeles and as a public historian in Oregon and Idaho. In his previous role as Chief of Interpretation and Education at Minidoka National Historic Site, Kurt led impactful interpretive initiatives. He also supported projects at Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument and Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, working closely with affiliated communities to build partnerships and foster meaningful engagement. He and his wife April are now making their home in Virginia, where their daughter May will grow up on the same coast as her grandparents.

We invite you to give Kurt a warm welcome when you see him around the fort!

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NPS Photo.

08/25/2026

As part of National Park Week, Sunday, August 30, 2026, is designated as Junior Ranger Day. Are you ready to become a Fort Monroe Junior Ranger? Start your adventure at the Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center by picking up your Junior Ranger Program booklet, then roam through the galleries of the visitor’s center; explore the inner fort and climb its historic ramparts; visit the Casemate Museum to discover fascinating history; and complete fun hands-on activities as you journey through Fort Monroe.

What’s next? Return to the visitor’s center, take the pledge, and receive your official Fort Monroe Junior Ranger badge. Becoming a Junior Ranger is a great way to discover the people, places, and stories that make Fort Monroe such a special place!

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NPS photos.

08/24/2026

Fort Monroe National Monument is joining Pearl Harbor National Memorial in the series "World War II Across America’s National Parks" and will participate with a post scheduled for October 12, 2026. Until then, please follow the series using , which highlights important World War II stories from National Park sites across the country.

World War II Across America’s National Parks: An Introduction

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation, we embrace the story of America from our founding to today. National parks help preserve many chapters of that story, including one of the most defining events of the 20th century: World War II. Sixteen million Americans served under arms, more than 400,000 were killed, and countless millions more supported the war effort at home. The war touched every part of American society, and little was left unchanged—including national parks.

For the next 16 weeks, leading up to the 85th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the National Park Service will take you across the country to explore America's experience in World War II through the lens of national parks. These sites preserve different parts of America's wartime story, including both triumphs and tragedies. This list of parks is by no means exclusive, nor are the stories that will be shared. They represent just a fraction of the war's impact on our parks and the nation, with many of those impacts still felt today.

To follow the series, use . Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, a new park will share its story and point you to the next stop in the journey.

The series begins here at .

Image Caption: WWII enlisted visit Grand Canyon National Park.
Image Credit: NPS/Emily Welch

08/23/2026

Are you ready to join the birding community at Fort Monroe? Friday, August 28, 2026, is your next opportunity. We will meet outside the Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center located at 30 Ingalls Road at 8:00 am and walk in and around the fort to various birding hot spots. Whether you're an experienced birder or just starting out, everyone is welcome. Please bring binoculars if you have them and wear comfortable walking shoes.

To give you a taste of what you might see, on our last walk, the group was entertained by this osprey splashing, bathing, and cleaning its plumage!

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Photo Credit: M. Sopko.

08/22/2026

Due to anticipated inclement weather, Enslaved African Landing Day, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22, at Fort Monroe, has been moved indoors to the Hampton Roads Convention Center, located at 1610 Coliseum Drive in Hampton.

The free public event will continue as scheduled from 9 am to 2 pm. Event information visit VisitHampton.com/AFL

We look forward to seeing you!