Fort Washington

A park ranger walks into Fort Washington.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

After Fort Warburton's destruction in 1814, the U.S. military set out to rebuild a fortification to provide continued protection of the Potomac River and the capital city of Washington, DC. That fortification became Fort Washington, which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed in 1826. Touring the historic fort is a highlight for any history buff!

Brief history

Lt. Col Walker Armistead, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was responsible for the construction of Fort Washington beginning in 1815. Builders completed construction on October 2, 1824.

Through the 1840s, major upgrades improved the fortification with new gun platforms and cannon, an improved powder magazine, and a caponniere to protect the fort's rear. You can see and explore these features up close today.

Fort Washington defended the Potomac River approach to Washington, DC, during the Mexican War (1846-1848) and the American Civil War (1861-1865) as part of a ring of fortifications to defend the capital city. The fort never saw action in either conflict.

 

A cannon on the fort wall overlooks the Potomac River.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

What you will see

Descending from the visitor center to the fort, you'll cross a bridge over a moat and enter through a massive gatehouse.

Inside the fort, the grassy parade ground stretches out in front. This is where you may catch an artillery demonstration (see ranger program calendar). To the left, several buildings can be found: the officer's quarters and the enlisted barracks. But enter a small doorway midway along the back wall and into a dark corridor, and you'll be headed into the caponniere, a defensive structure added to defend the fort's rear.

Elsewhere on the parade ground, find an assortment of cannon barrels and see how innovation changed the tools of warfare over the years. Facing the river, you can find gun emplacements and enjoy a view of the Potomac River from the commanding heights.

 

Fort Washington overlooks the Potomac River.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Take a tour in the NPS App

The free NPS App has maps and points of interest in Fort Washington to guide you on your visit. You can use it to navigate in the park, or explore from anywhere!

Explore more

As warfare evolved, Fort Washington's defenses no longer met the military's needs. A new style of batteries called the Endicott System supplanted Fort Washington's role as the protector of the Potomac. You can still see remains of these batteries throughout the Fort Washington Park grounds, including Battery Decatur.