Fort C.F. Smith Park
Our preserved U.S. fort & museum tell the story of life in Arlington during the American Civil War.
UPDATE: The Museum will be closed on Sunday October 6th. We'll be at the Heritage Fesitval at Gulf Branch Nature Center. Come join us from 1pm-5pm. it's Free!
Fort C. F. Smith Potatoes!!! Come to our free Gardening at the Fort program this Saturday Oct. 5 at 10:00am to harvest and take home your very own fort-grown potatoes. (Disclaimer- I can't promise how many potatoes there are until we dig them up.) Register here- https://vaarlingtonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=262687975
(This is Simon, Arlington county naturalist currently working the fort garden. I will be posting occasionally on here until we have a park historian. Stay tuned for more garden posts and please visit the garden any time!)
Attention history lovers, Arlington County Parks and Recreation is looking for a new park historian to engage with the community about Arlington's history. Apply today!
We are at the end of an era as we say goodbye to John McNair. We wish him the best in his new endeavors.
What do the Civil War Trails, Inc. signs at Fort Ethan Allen Park and the Arlington Mills Community Center have in common? Brevet Brigadier General William H. Revere, Jr.
Born in 1835, Revere first served as a lieutenant in Colonel Elmer Ellsworth's famous 11th New York State Milita. He resigned his commission on June 1, 1861; the same day that members of his regiment participated in the skirmish at Arlington Mill. He later served as a captain in the 44th New York Infantry, and colonel of the 10th Maryland Infantry. In the summer of 1864, he was commissioned colonel of the 107th United States Colored Troops, with whom he served until his death from intermittent fever on September 20, 1865, at the age of 30. One month later, the 107th would arrive in the Arlington fortifications, where they would remain for the next year.
Today, an interpretive sign commemorating the Skirmish at Arlington Mill can be found outside the Arlington Mills Community Center at 909 S Dinwiddie St, Arlington, VA 22204. Another sign commemorating the service of the 107th United States Colored Troops can be found at Fort Ethan Allen Park, located at 3829 N Stafford St, Arlington, VA 22207.
(Image: [Brigadier General William H. Revere, Jr. of Co. C, 44th New York Infantry Regiment, 10th Maryland Infantry Regiment and 107th U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment in uniform] / Bendann Bro., 207 Baltimore St., courtesy of The Library of Congress)
Another great fort profile from the Civil War Defenses of Washington.
You can still visit the remains of Fort Scott at the Arlington County Parks and Recreation's Fort Scott Park, located at 2800 Fort Scott Dr, Arlington, VA 22202.
Although not as big as Fort Ethan Allen, or as well preserved as Fort C.F. Smith, the Fort Scott earthworks are a window into the challenges faced by US soldiers and civilians within the Four Mile Run Valley. Visit all three parks to learn more about life within the Defenses South of the Potomac!
What a day! Great turnout for today’s sign unveiling at Fort Ethan Allen Park.
Thank you to everyone who braved the heat to celebrate the service of the 107th United States Colored Troops in the Arlington forts. Additional thanks to our friends at Civil War Trails, Inc., the Civil War Defenses of Washington, Camp Nelson National Monument, the Arlington Historical Society and the Alliance to Preserve the Civil War Defenses of Washington for helping make this project and event possible.
Fort C.F. Smith Park staff are setting up for this year’s Juneteenth Celebration! Find us at Jennie Dean Park today, from 11am-2pm, to learn more about the 107th USCT sign unveiling this Thursday!
Sign honoring Black troops who fought in Civil War comes to Fort Ethan Allen Park | ARLnow.com A new marker commemorating Black troops who fought in the Civil War has been installed at Fort Ethan Allen Park. An official unveiling for the new sign at 3829 N. Stafford Street is scheduled for Thursday,...
Join us at Fort Ethan Allen on June 20th at 9:30am for the Unveiling of our new Civil War Trails, Inc. sign on the USCT 107th. You can RSVP here:
Sign Unveiling at Fort Ethan Allen Park Commemorate Juneteenth by honoring the sacrifices and contributions of the 107th United States Colored Troops.
Who's that Bird?
Our park historian's journey into the world of birding continues with this little guy, who really wanted to see the museum! Who do we have here?
If YOU really want to see the museum, open hours are 10am-5pm Saturdays, 1pm-5pm Sundays, and by appointment. See you there!
Join one of the Top 5 best park systems in the country. Our team is looking for skilled leaders to help us bring the benefits of the outdoors to everyone.
Curious what's been going on in the fort garden? Come see for yourself at our upcoming garden programs and get the answers to the killer game of "Guess the Crop"! There's something for all ages, and at each program you can take home some fresh veggies, plus a whole tomato plant of your own. Best paired with a lovely walk through the fort grounds and wooded trail!
Kids' Programs-
Spectacular Soils, Saturday June 1, 1:30-2:30pm. For ages 6-12 (even though description says 6-9).
-Bring all your young scientists to come learn about soil, dig around, and even take soil samples!
Adult Programs (including teens accompanied by registered adult)-
Plant Science for Gardeners, Thursday May 30, 6:00-7:00pm.
Plant Science for Gardeners, Wednesday June 12, 6:00-7:00pm.
-Learn more about the scientific patterns and botany behind cultivated garden plants
Gardening at the Fort, Saturday June 1, 11:00am-12:00pm.
-Come hang, talk about the garden and gardening, and do some mellow garden work
Register for these programs and more by reading the ENJOY Arlington at https://arlingtonparks.us/enjoyarlington/index.html.
SAVE THE DATE: NEW SIGN UNVEILING AT FORT ETHAN ALLEN PARK
After nearly two years of work, Fort C.F. Smith Park and Civil War Trails, Inc. are proud to announce the arrival of a new interpretive sign at Fort Ethan Allen Park. The sign will commemorate the service of the 107th United States Colored Troops, whose famous photographs within the Arlington forts have often been used to symbolize USCT service throughout the war. Now, their story will be preserved within one of the forts that they garrisoned from 1865-1866.
The unveiling ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 20, at 9:30am as part of the county's ongoing Juneteenth celebration. RSVP using the QR code in the picture to let us know if you can make it. Registration is free. We hope to see you there!
Feliz Cinco De Mayo!
While the United States was entering its second year of civil war, the Mexican Republic was also fighting for its survival against the allied powers of Europe. The Battle of Puebla, fought between Mexican and French forces on May 5, 1862, would later be celebrated as a day of national pride in Mexico, but it would also factor into American relations with the rest of the world. Although the soldiers around Washington knew little about the fighting abroad, the government within the city was kept up to date on all developments. A month after the battle, U.S. Minister to Mexico Thomas Corwin reported:
"The French force now here numbers about seven thousand, with auxiliaries, headed by Marquez, making in all about ten thousand. It has retreated before Zaragoza (who commands the government forces) from Puebla to Orizaba...
The English government has settled all matters in dispute with Mexico by a treaty... and Spain has withdrawn its entire force, intending, no doubt, to treat, after the example of Great Britian."
While the war in Mexico would last until 1867, some historians believe that the European setback at Puebla forced the French to remain neutral during the Civil War. Today, Cinco De Mayo is celebrated across the United States, and its impact on the country's war for unity and freedom continues to be studied.
This weekend, Park Historian John McNair will be taking a trip to South Arlington to lead a public tour of Fort Scott Park. Although smaller than Fort Ethan Allen and less preserved than Fort C.F. Smith, the story of Fort Scott highlights the complications of defending the Four Mile Run Valley, and the divisions between Alexandria's city and county residents during the conflict. The tour will run on Saturday, May 4, from 4:00pm to 4:45, and is completely free! Register at https://vaarlingtonweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/splash.html.
A big THANK YOU to Sam for choosing Fort C.F. Smith Park for his Eagle Project! The new garden fence looks amazing!
Look for our new garden programs at https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/Parks-Recreation/Programs/Classes.
The Bill Thomas Park Volunteer Award The Bill Thomas Park Volunteer Award is given annually by the Arlington Park and Recreation Commission to honor outstanding volunteer efforts in support of the health, sustainability and functioning of Arlington’s parks.
Who's that Bird?
Our park historian may know a lot about the fort, but birds are another matter altogether. This little guy/gal has been staring at him through the museum window for the last few days.
In addition to being Arlington County's best preserved Civil War fortification, Fort C.F. Smith Park is also a premier site for local birding. Come look for all the different species who call the fort home.
A few more photos from our April 7 Living History Day. Can't wait for next year!
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