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Summer 2005
Fort
Mifflin needs our help
PIPR would like to help the Fort
increase number of visitors and raise awareness f the significant events
that occurred here. Many Philadelphia residents don't even know the
fore exists! The city-owned fort has National Historic Landmark status and significance as a key lookout at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. In fall of 1777, it suffered the greatest naval bombardment of the war, a five-week siege. But troops at Mifflin stalled the British long enough for Continental troops to dig in for the long winter at Valley Forge.
Since, Fort Mifflin has been under a different sort of siege. Its proximity to Philadelphia International Airport's runway and its distance from the well-traveled tourist attractions in the region have hurt the attraction.
Just 25,000 tourists a year tramp through the fort and its grounds.
Although Fort Mifflin has suffered damage from major floods and fire,
much of the city and state funds are directed to other sites
such as Valley Forge and buildings in the city's historic
district.
To
volunteer with us at Fort Mifflin please
call the fort at 215 - 685 - 4167
or call PIPR at 215 - 510 - 4327
Photos at bottom of page
Within this 49-acre National Historic Landmark, you can see cannons,
officers' quarters, soldiers' barracks (which contain an exhibition called "Defense of the Delaware"), an artillery shed, a blacksmith shop, a bomb shelter, and a museum. Because of its Quaker origins, Philadelphia had no defenses until 1772, when the British began building Fort Mifflin. It was completed in 1776 by Revolutionary forces under General Washington. In a 40-day battle in 1777, 300 Continental defenders held off British forces long enough for Washington's troops to flee to Valley Forge. The fort was almost totally destroyed but was rebuilt in 1798 from plans by French architect Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who also designed the plan for Washington, D.C. In use until 1962, the fort has served as a prisoner-of-war camp, an artillery battalion, and a munitions dump. Special events include Civil War Garrison Days in October and a reenactment of the siege of Fort Mifflin held in November. From Penn's Landing you can easily hop on I-95 to reach the fort; call for directions. www.fortmifflin.org. COST: $6. OPEN: Apr.-Nov., daily 10-4; tours on the hr; last tour at
3.
Address: Island and Hog Island Rds., on the Delaware River near Philadelphia Int'l Airport, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Kids Day - August
6, 2005
Living Time Line - July 2nd,
2005
Click for larger images
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John
Nilsen
PIPR Asst Director
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Anne Palagruto
PIPR
Director
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Raising of the Fort Mifflin Flag
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