print

CDSG Representive Site Visit Reports Fort Norfolk

Fort Name: Fort Norfolk

Current Site Name: Fort Norfolk

Date of Visit: 8 July 2007, by Phil Payette and John Weaver

Site Use: The site is a park operated by the Norfolk Historical Society, however it is owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers who have used it in the past as their district office prior to the construction of their current headquarters.

Is the site open to the public? Yes, depending on Homeland Security Defense conditions

Dates and Hours of Operation: business hours M-F or by appointment.

What type of programs are offered at the site?
Living History: None
Tours: usually self-guided; guided by appointment.
Museum Shop: none

Restoration Projects: Large Navy magazine is under consideration as it has been recently vacated by the Corps of Engineers; work needs to be continued in Officers Quarters.

Are there events that the Site would like to have advertised in the CDSG Newsletter? Perhaps their request for CDSG funds to help in their planned Navy Magazine preservation project.

What is the overall condition of the Site: Good; however major exterior painting needs to be done.

What is the condition of the Individual Elements? No individual elements outside the fort’s walls.

What is the protective status of the Site?
National Park or Register: No
State or Local Historic Site: Virginia Historic Landmark

Current Site Owner: Norfolk District, US Army Corps of Engineers
Current Site Supervisor: Louis Guy, President Norfolk Historical Society
Other Contacts at the Site:
Mailing Address: 810 Front Street, Norfolk VA 23517
Phone: 757-625-1720
Internet:

Is the Site or a responsible individual at the site a CDSG member? Not yet.

What information can the CDSG provide to the management of the site? Interpretation of Fort Norfolk’s history is already provided at the visitor center and Officers Quarters.

Is there anyone at the Site that would submit material for the CDSG Journal? Not likely

Any Special Situations at the Site: (Damage, Imminent Destruction, Etc.) The fort and most of its buildings are all somewhat preserved. Archaeological work discovered the remains of the earthen ravelin under the parking lot.

If individual batteries, base-end stations, buildings, etc. are in some way significant, please indicate: This fort defended the Elizabeth River during the War of 1812 in conjunction with Fort Nelson (once located at Portsmouth Naval Hospital) and the Craney Island Fort (once located at the Navy fuel depot). However, only Craney Island saw action against the British. The US Navy converted the fort into a weapons depot in the late 1800’s. After the War of 1812 the defenses shifted to Fort Monroe and Fort Calhoun/Wool. The Confederates also built temporary defenses at Sewalls Point (once located at the Norfolk Naval Base).

Report submitted by Phil Payette, May 2007
http://www.geocities.com/hrforts/harbor.htm