First Amendment Permits

 

First Amendment Permit Policy

First Amendment activities such as public assemblies, meetings, gatherings, demonstrations, parades and other public expressions of views and opinions are managed and regulated under 36 CFR § 2.51, DO/RM-53 and the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine Superintendent's Compendium. Activities associated with the exercise of these rights will be reasonably regulated to protect legitimate government interests. Therefore, the Superintendent may regulate such aspects of First Amendment activities as the time, place and manner where they are conducted in order to protect park resources. When the requested use is a right involving access to park land for the exercise of First Amendment rights including freedom of assembly, speech, religion and press, there will be no requirement for fees, cost recovery, bonding or insurance.

No permit shall be issued for a period in excess of 14 consecutive days, provided that permits may be extended for like periods, upon a new application, unless another applicant has requested use of the same location and multiple occupancy of that location is not reasonably possible.

Demonstrations involving 25 persons or fewer may be held without a permit provided that the other conditions required for the issuance of a permit are met and provided further that the group is not merely an extension of another group already availing itself of the 25-person maximum under this provision or will not unreasonably interfere with other demonstrations or special events. Individuals and small groups who take advantage of the permit exception may make use of hand-carried signs, but not stages, platforms, structures, or electronic public address systems. If you are unsure if your event will need a special use permit, please contact the park's Special Park Uses Coordinator.

How to Apply for a First Amendment Permit

1. If you are interested in applying for a commercial filming or still photography permit, please use the Demonstrations and Distribution of Materials Application.
2. Once a permit application has been completed, e-mail your application to the permitting office: [e-mail]
3. Once an application has been submitted and the application, the permits coordinator will review your application with the park management team to determine whether your permit application will be approved.

First Amendment Permit Fees

First Amendment Permits do not have fees affiliated with them.

Distribution of Printed Materials

The distribution of printed materials, including, but not limited to, pamphlets, brochures, flyers, booklets, etc., is possible under a First Amendment permit.

Printed materials should not be left in the park such as in the park restrooms, exhibit areas, on park signage, etc. Any printed materials found left in the park will be considered litter and disposed of.

First Amendment Locations

 

A map of the park highlighting the two First Amendment areas located within the park.

NPS

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine has designated two locations within the park as First Amendment Areas. If the First Amendment activity is in response to, or occurring at the same time as, another First Amendment activity occurring in the park, it will be required to be in the unused location.

Location 1: West Lawn
This location is located on the West Lawn area just inside the main gate, on the grass next to the sidewalk that goes along the main park road. Parking is located at the main lot by the park visitor center, or the grass overflow lot if necessary.

Location 2: East Lawn
This location is on the East Lawn area between the park visitor center and the Patapsco River, along the Ravelin Trail that leads to the Historic Zone. Parking is located at the main lot by the park visitor center, or the grass overflow lot if necessary.