Park Mission

Mission Statement

The mission of Fort Pulaski National Monument is to preserve the fort, its associated structures, and surroundings and to interpret its roles in coastal fortifications, military technology and the Civil War.

Purpose

The purpose of Fort Pulaski National Monument include:

• Preserve and protect the 19th century masonry fort and its associated structures, and interpret its roles in coastal fortifications, military technology and the Civil War;
• Preserve and protect other military structures, other government structures, and archeological resources associated with various military developments and fortifications on Cockspur Island;
• Preserve and protect in excess of 5000 acres of nearly pristine salt marsh on McQueen's and Cockspur Islands that constitute the largest portion of the national monument and interpret this important coastal ecology for the education, inspiration, and enjoyment of the visitor.

Signifigance

The significance of Fort Pulaski National Monument is: It is one of the most well preserved examples of "third system" masonry coastal fortifications on the Southeast coast.

It is the site where rifled cannons first successfully breached masonry fortifications, forcing a hasty surrender of the fort and the closure of the port of Savannah, and signaled the end of such fortifications for coastal defenses.

Fort Pulaski is the site of Robert E. Lee's first assignment following his commission from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

It is the site of John Wesley's (the founder of Methodism) first sermon in the New World.

It is the site where General David Hunter, commander of the Department of the South, captured Fort Pulaski and within less than one month issued two General Orders freeing slaves first on Cockspur Island and later throughout Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. President Lincoln later rescinded these orders but ultimately issued his own emancipation proclamation on January 1, 1863 probably having been influenced at least partially by General Hunter.

The National Monument contains one of the largest federally protected salt marsh environments in the United States.