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FORT PULASKI NATIONAL MONUMENT

Available Brochures:  FRENCH     GERMAN    JAPANESE    POLISH    SPANISH   ENGLISH

Fort Pulaski National Monument is one of more than 378 sites in the National Park Service.  The mission of the National Park Service is to protect and preserve the historic, cultural, scientific, and natural resources for current and future generations.  October 15, 1924, by Executive Order, Fort Pulaski became a National Monument. In 1933, the National Park Service accepted transfer of the site from the War Department.

The defining events of Fort Pulaski occurred during the American Civil War. In April of 1862, Union troops directed rifled cannon fire at the fort breaching the southeast angle.  The quick success of this experimental cannon surprised military strategists.  The accuracy and range of the rifled cannon rendered brick fortifications obsolete.  Immediately after capturing the fort, Union Major General David Hunter, an ardent abolitionist, ordered the release of area slaves.   Many were recruited into the Union army comprising the First South Carolina Colored Regiment.     

The park includes 5,623 acres of scenic marsh and uplands that support a variety of animal life characteristic of southern barrier islands.  White-tailed deer, alligators, and raccoons as well as resident and migratory birds grace the landscape.  Spanish moss drapes from yaupon holly bushes and vegetation includes cabbage palms, various wetland grasses, and a variety of temperate hardwood and pine trees.

LOCATION/ADDRESS:  Fort Pulaski National Monument
                                            P.O. Box 30757
                                            Savannah, Georgia  31410-0757

TELEPHONE:                    (912) 786-5787

OPERATING HOURS:    Fort  8:30AM-5:15PM * Visitor Center  9:00AM-5:00PM
                                           The park is open every day except Christmas Day.  Extended summer hrs.

VISITATION/USAGE:     FY 2000 Annual Performance Plan

1997  Jan-Dec 383,840 Persons
1998  Jan-Dec 389,904
1999  Jan-Dec 387,510
2000  Jan-May 168,409

CLIMATE/RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:  Hot and humid in summer, mild to chilly and breezy in winter.  Rainy periods throughout the year.  Wear comfortable sportswear.  Walking shoes and insect repellant are recommended.  

DIRECTIONS/MAP:

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To visit Fort Pulaski National Monument, follow U.S. HWY 80 East toward Tybee Island.  The entrance is located about fifteen miles east of Savannah. 

ADMISSION: Park Entrance Fee: $2.00 per person seventeen and older.  Maximum $4.00 per immediate family.  Golden Age, Golden Eagle, National Park Pass, and Access Passports honored and available.   Contact park for commercial rates.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES: 

Visitor Center and Exhibits:  "The Battle for Fort Pulaski", a seventeen minute video, is shown on request in the Visitor Center.  Museum exhibits provide information on the history and significance of the site.  Eastern National, a non-profit organization, operates a bookstore in the Visitor Center.  A curriculum guide, based on state of Georgia standards, is available for teachers bringing school groups.

Fort Programs and Activities:  Ranger led talks and demonstrations are presented in the Fort daily during the summer and on weekends the rest of the year.  Special talks may be available to school and other large groups by reservation throughout the year.   Call for reservations.  Reference the park program and events web page.

Trails and Roads:  Quarter-mile, self-guiding nature trail.  Bicycles allowed on trails, except those leading to the Fort.  Earthen dike circuit (two miles).

Lodging and Camping Facilities:  Hotels and campgrounds are available four miles east of the park at Tybee Island and in Savannah (15 miles west). 

Food and Supplies:  Located four miles west on Wilmington Island, four miles east on Tybee Island, and fifteen miles west in Savannah.

Additional Facilities and Opportunities:  Fishing permitted off South Channel Bridge when park is closed.  Picnic area.  The Cockspur Island Lighthouse, built in 1857, is accessible only by private boat.

Accessibility:   Facilities  Visitor Center parking, restrooms, and exhibits are wheelchair accessible.  Fort lower level, and restrooms are wheelchair accessible.  Picnic area parking, restrooms, and tables are wheelchair accessible. Interpretive Services  Written audio station transcripts available in English and Braille.   Fort audio cassettes and tape players loaned upon request.  Brochures available in English, German, Polish, Japanese, French, and Spanish.   

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES:  Park Ranger interpretive programs are available as scheduled.  Fort is open to self-guided tours.  Children aged six to twelve are invited to participate in the Junior Ranger Program.  Birding and deer watching is popular as is viewing the Savannah River shipping traffic.  Hiking, biking, and picnicking in designated areas is encouraged.  Boating and fishing is allowed in the Savannah River, Lazaretto Creek, and Oyster Creek. 

RESERVATIONS AND PERMITS:  Permits for recreational, non-commercial shellfish harvesting in park waters are available free of charge at the Visitor Center during normal operating hours.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:  Two hours are needed for a basic visit.

SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMS:  Civil War encampments, special programs, and demonstrations are offered on various major holiday weekends.  Reference the park special events web page.

VISITOR IMPACT:  Information concerning closing of recreational shellfish harvesting is available at the Visitor Center.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS: Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum.  Savannah Historic District.   Old Fort Jackson.  Fort McAllister State Historic Park.  Wormsloe State Historic Site.   Fort Morris State Historic Site.

Write to the park headquarters or telephone for more information. 

Fort Pulaski National Monument
P.O. Box 30757
Savannah, Georgia  31410-0757
(912) 786-5787

 ~  Home  ~  Fort Construction  ~ Casimir Pulaski  ~  Civil War Era  ~ 
~ Rifled Cannon  ~  Immortal Six Hundred  ~  Post Civil War  ~
~   Programs/Events  ~  Volunteers  ~  Cockspur Beacon   ~

Date of Last Modification:  08/29/00
Web Page Contact:  Kimberly & Ron