Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!

Flat Hat Award trip➢

Each year, the NPTC recognizes a park ranger or volunteer for outstanding service. Club members nominate individuals who made their park visits memorable. The club officers host a meetup at the winning park unit. In April, we travelled to Wolf Trap National Park For The Performing Arts for the award ceremony for Ranger Will. On this mini road trip, Patty and I squeezed in 5 new NPS units, including Fort Washington.

• Fort Washington Park
• Thomas Stone NHS
• Piscataway Park
• Wolf Trap National Park For The Performing Arts
• Manassas NBP

Fort Washington Park➢

After a few hours of driving, we arrived at Fort Washington Park just in time for the scheduled morning tour. However, plans shifted when we learned there was only one ranger on duty, and she couldn’t leave her post at the visitor center. Instead, she had us watch the park film, which provided a good overview of the site’s importance. Then, she stepped out onto the back porch, where she gave an engaging talk about the fort’s history. From the porch, we had a sweeping view of the fort below, making her storytelling all the more vivid.

Fort Washington is steeped in history, having played a vital role in protecting Washington, D.C., over the centuries. Originally built in 1809, the fort was destroyed during the War of 1812 to prevent British forces from capturing it. The current structure, rebuilt in the early 19th century, saw service through the Civil War and both World Wars. Standing on the porch, with the Potomac River stretching in the distance, it was easy to imagine the strategic importance of this location.

After the ranger’s talk, we walked down to the fort for a self-guided tour. Exploring the interior was like stepping back in time. The stone walls, underground chambers, and cannon placements told a story of ingenuity and resilience. The combination of history, architecture, and the serene riverside setting made it a memorable stop.

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Location: 13551 Fort Washington Road, Fort Washington, Maryland
Designation: National Park Service Site/Park
Date designated/established: August 21, 1961
Date of my visit: April 26, 2024