Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site will host Civil War Artillery Day on Saturday, featuring living history demonstrations and cannon firing displays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The free program will showcase the role of Union artillerymen who defended Washington, D.C., during the Civil War. Reenactors from the 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery, a regiment historically stationed at Fort Ward, will demonstrate the duties and daily life of soldiers who manned the Defenses of Washington.
Visitors can view equipment displays, camp life demonstrations, and cannon firing exhibitions during the weather-dependent event. The program is designed for Civil War enthusiasts of all ages.
Fort Ward, located at 4301 West Braddock Road in Alexandria’s west end, is the best-preserved remaining Union fort from the extensive defense system that protected the nation’s capital during the Civil War. About 90% of the fort’s original earthwork walls are preserved, and the Northwest Bastion has been restored to its original condition.
The fort was constructed in 1861 as part of the Defenses of Washington, a system of 164 earthwork forts and batteries surrounding the capital. Fort Ward Museum houses a collection of more than 2,000 Civil War-era objects, primarily of Union origin.
The event is organized by the Office of Historic Alexandria, which operates eight museums and historic sites throughout the city. The museum is typically open Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.
More information is available by calling 703-746-4848 or visiting fortward.org.
