Fort Fisher Hosts First Program Since the Virus Hit

From the July 10, 2021, WWAY (Wilmington, N.C.) 3 ABC by Celeste Smith.

Really good news to me.  Every summer Fort Fisher has all sorts of programs both outside and inside detailing the fort's history, including its popular "Beat the Heat" lectures.  Of course, that all came crashing to an end last year because of you-know-what.  Sure nice to have things back.

The Fort Fisher State Historic Site hosted its first program after an 18-month-long hiatus.

Today (Saturday, July 100, the annual Summer Artillery Program's "Most Terrible Storm of Iron and Lead" was held at the site from  10am to 4 pm.

The free event featured guided tours, an activity for kids called the "Toy Soldier Workshop," and cannon firings throughout the day.  The site's program manager, Becky Sawyer, said they are glad to offer programs to visitors again.

The site will host its next program which will focus on the events of World War II revolving around the fort and Wilmington area the Saturday of Labor Day weekend in September.

Sure Glad to see the Old Fort Back to Usual.  --Old B-Runner

Fort Fisher Prepares for Summer 2021-- Part 3

Across the Cape Fear River is Fort Fisher State Historic Park.  John Mosely said that they had launched a special exhibit on the role and experience of black soldiers from the USCT in the Civil War and at the fort during World War II.  That was just before the you-know-what hit and the fort was closed down.

"It is still up and in most cases, people haven't seen it," said Mosely.  "We hope people will come check it out."

"We have also been doing fund raising  for a new building (visitors center and museum to replace the current one built in the 1960s) and this exhibit is  talking about some of the stuff we are working on the grander  scheme of things."

I am also hoping they will start up their Beat the Heat Talks again.

The site, like most,  is still in a bit of a holding pattern as it awaits for directives from the state regarding gathering size restrictions as COVID-19 cases decline but the risk remains high as the nation waits to be vaccinated.

--Old B-Runner

Fort Fisher's Beat the Heat Lecture Series 2019-- Part 2

As I said in the previous post, sadly, this series is over for the year, but looking forward to it being resumed next year.  And, don't forget, either January 11 or 18, will be the 155th anniversary of the Second Battle of Fort Fisher, which is always a big one.  They have an anniversary re-enactment every year, but every fifth year it is a  big one.

Anyway, recapping this past year's lectures:

JULY 13--  Running the Blockade:  The Technology and the Men of the Lifeline by Chris Fonvielle

JULY 20--  The Federal Point Lighthouses by Becky Sawyer

JULY 27--  Tending to the Soldiers:  Wilmington's Civil War Hospitals by Wade Sokoloski.

AUGUST 3--  Timothy O'Sullivan and the Photographing of Fort Fisher by Harry Taylor

AUGUST 10--  Attempting to Stop Sherman: The Battle of River's Bridge by Jim Steele.

So, How Long Until June 2019?  --Old Secesh

Fort Fisher's Beat the Heat Lecture Series Now Over, But Hopefully Will Be Back Next Year

It can get mighty hot during the summer on Pleasure Island (Federal Point) but you can beat that heat by going inside at the fort, sitting in air conditioned comfort and learning something in the fort's summer "Beat the Heat" series.  Most of the lectures are about the Civil War and especially local history, but they can be about anything historical.

These were the the topics and speakers for this last year:

JUNE 15--  The 1781 Wilmington Campaign--  Rick Morrison

JUNE 22--  Feeding Lee's Army Through the Port  of Wilmington--  Michael C. Hardy

JUNE 29--  Imprisonment, Trial and Execution of the Lincoln Conspirators--  Mark Grim

JULY 6--  Silent Sentinels--  John Winecoff

--Old B-Runner

What's Happening At the Fort: Fort Fisher's Final Beat the Heat-- The Battle of River's Bridge, S.C.

Fort Fisher is presenting its final 2019 Kids Activity this Friday, August 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..  This week's topic is Civil War Communications using the Wig-Wag System with flags.

Fort Fisher will be presenting its final Beat the Heat lecture of the season on Saturday, August 10 at 2 p.m. in the Spencer Theater at the fort.  This week's topic is "Attempting to Stop Sherman:  The Battle of River's Bridge, South Carolina."  This was an attempt to stop his march to Columbia, S.C..  Site manager Jim Steele will lead the discussion.

Fort Fisher is located at

1610 Fort Fisher Boulevard, South
Kure Beach, N.C.
Telephone  910-251-7340

Come On In, Get Out of the Heat.  --Old B-Runner

What's Going On At the Fort, Fort Fisher's Beat the Heat Series: Timothy O'Sullivan's Photographs

In February 1865, photographer Timothy O'Sullivan visited Fort Fisher  to record the massive fortification.  He created a photographic record of the fort and remnants of the two battles that took place there.

Local photographer  Harry Taylor will be discussing Timothy O'Sullivan and the wet plate process of photography.

The presentation is free and open to the public but seating is limited so please call the facility and reserve a seat.  The presentation begins promptly at 2 p.m. in the fort's Spencer Theater.  This programming is made possible by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the nearby towns of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach.

Fort Fisher State Historic Site
1610 Fort Fisher Boulevard South
Kure Beach, North Carolina

--Old B-Runner

This Weekend At the Fort: Fort Fisher's "Beat the Heat" Lecture, Wilmington Hospitals During the Civil War

Today's Fort Fisher "Beat the Heat" Lecture will be "Tending to the Soldiers:  Wilmington's Civil War Hospitals."  It will be presented by noted historian and author Wade Sokolowski.

During the war, soldiers on garrison duty around Wilmington and those wounded on far-off battlefields arrived in Wilmington for treatment.  There were many hospitals in Wilmington for that purpose.

The presentation is  free and open to the public. and is presented by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the towns of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

It takes place at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site
1610 Fort Fisher Boulevard South
Kure Beach, N.C.

Starts promptly at 2 p.n. in the Spencer Theater.

Oh Well, Too Far for Me.  --Old B-Runner

This Weekend at the Fort, Fort Fisher July 19-20: Federal Point Lighthouses

JUNIOR RESERVES (CHILDREN)  Friday, July 19  10 am to 2 pm

"Archaeology:  Digging Through the Past"  A kid-friendly family event designed to introduce young participants to basic archaeology techniques.

BEAT THE HEAT LECTURE  Saturday, July 20   2 pm

Fort Fisher interpreter Becky Sawyer will present  "Federal Point Lighthouses."

By the late 1700s, it was important to have the a navigation lighted beacon (lighthouse) at the tip of Federal Point, the peninsula Fort Fisher is located on.  During the Civil War, the lighthouse was destroyed and the lighthouse keeper's house was used as Fort Fisher's headquarters.

These programs ar put on by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the towns of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach.

--Old B-Runner

This Weekend At the Fort: Fort Fisher, July 12-13: Attention Cannoneers and

JUNIOR RESERVES  Friday July 12 10 am to 2 pm.

Kid-friendly family activity using the site's 12-pdr. Napoleon cannon, costumed interpreters will be on hand to explain artillery drill.  Participants will get the chance to fire water balloons at blockading  ships to keep New Inlet open.

BEAT THE HEAT LECTURE   Saturday, July 13   2 pm.

Noted Civil War author Chris Fonvielle will present "Running the Blockade:  The Technology and the Men of the Lifeline of the Confederacy."  Between 1861 and 1965, thousands of tons of  materials were brought into the port of Wilmington, which Fort Fisher guarded.

Ship design and stories of the men will be discussed.

These events are put on by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the towns of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach.

Running the Blockade, Hey That's My Blog!!!   --Old B-Runner

This Weekend At the Fort July 5-6: Fort Fisher's Junior Reserves and State Military Memorials

Every weekend during the summer, Fort Fisher has two events, one on Friday for the kids, called Junior Reserves and a lecture on Saturday.

This weekend:

FRIDAY, JULY 5  10 am to 2 pm

"A Soldier's Life"  A  kid-friendly family activity that examines the life of a Civil War soldier.  Participants will learn about garrison life, camp life, military drills and handling a replica musket.

SATURDAY, JULY 6   2 PM

John Winecoff of  the North Carolina Military History Society, has spent years documenting military memorials in all 100 counties of the state.

Both events are free and funded by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the towns of Kure and Carolina Beach.

Check It Out.  --Old B-Runner

Come to the Civil War Fort Fisher and Learn About the American Revolution

Saturday, June 15,  Fort Fisher interpreter  Rick Morrison, will discuss  the British Southern Strategy During the American Revolution and Occupation of Wilmington at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site at Kure Beach, N.C..  Between 1780 and 11781 the Carolinas would become  the focus of Lord Cornwallis' Southern Campaign..

It is free, but donations accepted.  and will begin at 2 p.m. in the Spencer Theater at the visitors center.

Again, Wish I Could Be There.  --Old B-R'er

Fort Fisher Thankful for 2018

From the Friends of Fort Fisher.

2018 has turned out to be a very successful year for the fort.

**  Had over 900,000 visitors

**  173 school/children's groups visited

**  404 adult groups visited

**  22 Outreach programs

**  3 major educational/living history programs

**  27 smaller events like Junior Reserves (children programs) and Beat the Heat lectures

**  338 daily guided tours

Plus, a plan for a new visitors center as well as expanded battlefield have been completed.

A Good Year for My Fort.  --Old B-Runner

The Last "Beat the Heat" Lecture at Fort Fisher: The Life of Henry Sterling Lebby, Blockade-Runner, Privateer

The last Fort Fisher "Beat the Heat" lecture will be held this Saturday at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach, North Carolina.

This one is "A Post-War Confederate Sailor:  Finding H.S. Lebby, Blockade Runner and Privateer."

Sailors' Snug Harbor, New York, a retirement home for the purpose of caring for "worn out and decrepit sailors," opened its doors in 1833 on Staten Island to all seamen from all countries.  Henry Sterling (H.S.) Lebby noted on his application that he had worked on merchant vessels from the United States.

And yet, it is clear that his records from South Carolina, that he was not the man he claimed to be.

Who is Captain Lebby and why is he in New York living out his last years at Sailors' Snug Harbor?

Inquiring Minds Want to Know.  --Old B-Runner

Beat the Heat at Fort Fisher This Saturday: "Welcoming Sherman"

This Saturday afternoon, the annual Fort Fisher "Beat the Heat" lectures will continue at 2 p.m. at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site at Kure Beach.  This week's topic is "Welcoming Sherman:  Wilmington and the Cape Fear" and will be given by Wade Sokolosky, a retired career army officer.

With the fall of Wilmington on February 22, 1865, Federal forces were able to use the city and Cape Fear River as a much-needed supply base.  He will discuss the U.S. Navy and Army's use of the river to support Sherman's troops in Fayetteville.

He will have copies of his book on the Battle of Wyse Fork on sale and signed by the author.

Wish It was Closer.  --Old B-R'er

"Beat the Heat" at Fort Fisher This Saturday: General Lee's Immortals"

From Friends of Fort Fisher Powder Keg bulletin.

JULY 21, SATURDAY  2 p.m..

The annual summer "Beat the Heat" lectures continue this Saturday at Fort Fisher with "General Lee's Immortals" given by historian and noted author Michael C. Hardy."

During the Civil War, North Carolina fielded numerous infantry, artillery and cavalry units.  One of those units was the Branch-Lane Brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia.  The unit formed in 1861 and fought in the Seven Days' battles to the final surrender at Appomattox.

Mr. Hardy has written a book on the subject "General Lee's Immortals:  The Battles and Campaigns of the Branch-Lane Brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia, 1861-1865"  He also has a very informative blog, Looking for the Civil War (formerly Looking for North Carolina's Civil War).

The lecture will be given at the Fort Fisher Historic Site in Kure Beach, N.C..

--Old B-R'er

"Beat the Heat" Lecture at Fort Fisher July 14: Yellow Fever

JULY 14

"AT THE MERCY OF THE ANGEL OF DEATH: THE 1862 WILMINGTON YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC"

During the Civil War, the mosquito carried a dark and deadly secret.  Learn how this little bug and its pathological comrades waged their own biological warfare upon unsuspecting soldiers and citizens.

Shannon Walker, interpreter at Brunswick Town Fort Anderson State Historic Site will discuss this insect and the deadly Civil War medical issues it brought.

Not to mention the blockade runners carrying the disease into Wilmington.

--Old B-Runner

"Beat the Heat" At Fort Fisher: Colonial Resistance to the Stamp Act and Silent Sentinels

The next two Saturdays, the annual "Beat the Heat" lecture will continue June 30 and July 7 at 2 p.m. at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach, North Carolina.

JUNE 30:

THE ROOTS OF COLONIAL RESISTANCE TO THE STAMP ACT AND THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION

Parliament's Stamp Act of 1765 focused colonial resistance to Great Britain's attempts to impose new taxes on the colonies without the consent of colonial legislatures.

The rise of colonial resistance was also based on fiscal policy leading to an attempt to arrest British officials in Brunswick Town (across the Cape Fear River a little north of Fort Fisher) and placed Royal Governor Tryon under a short house arrest.

The lecture will be given by Fort Fisher interpreter, Rick Morrison, a retired U.S. Navy captain.


JULY 7:

"THE SILENT SENTINELS"

We pass them all the time.  They dot North Carolina's roads, parks and cemeteries.  John Winecoff, of the North Carolina Military History Society, has spent years documenting all the military memorials in the state's 100 counties.

They are silent witnesses to the sacrifices of our men and women in over 243 years of our country's history.

And, the Lectures Take Place in Air-Conditioned Comfort, Just the Thing for These Hot Summer Days.  --Old B-Runner

"Beat the Heat" at Fort Fisher This Summer

From the Fort Fisher North Carolina Historic Site.

The annual summer "Beat the Heat" series of lectures will be given on Saturdays at 2 p.m. at the site in Kure Beach.

SATURDAY, JUNE 16

"THE FACES OF FORT FISHER" by Dr. Chris Fonvielle.  This will examine the lives of people in the fort as well as those in the blockading fleet.  Chris Fonvielle is without a doubt, THE foremost authority on any and everything dealing with Wilmington and Fort Fisher during the Civil War.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23

"THE WASP PROGRAM AND FORT FISHER"  by Assistant Site Manager John Mosely.  This is about the Women's Airforce Service Pilots, better known as the WASPs.

In July 1943, the first 25 women of this program arrived at Camp Davis Army Air Field to pull anti-aircraft targets at Fort Fisher.

--Old B-Runner

Fort Fisher's Beat the Heat Series Continues: USO and Welcoming Sherman

The Fort Fisher 2017 "Beat the Heat" summer lecture series continues for three more weeks.

Lectures are given at the Fort fisher Visitors Center's E. Gehrig Spencer Theater at 2 p.m..

TODAY  AUGUST 5

Topic:  "The USO: 75 Years of Helping Our Military."

Speaker:  John W. Falkenbury, President of the USO of North Carolina.  During World War II there were several USOs in Wilmington.

AUGUST 12

Topic:  "Welcoming Sherman:  Wilmington and the Cape Fear".

Speaker:  Wayne Sokolosky.  Historian and Author.

AUGUST 19

Topic:  "Redcoats on the River:  The Revolution in the Lower Cape Fear."

Speaker:  Bert Dunkerly, NPS Park Ranger, Historian and Author.

Again, sure wish I could be there for these.

Just Too Far Away.  --Old B-Runner

Junior Reserves Rally at Fort Fisher This Weekend

From the July 24, 2017, Wilmington (N.C.) Star-News "'Jr. Reserves' to rally at Fort Fisher."

North Carolina needed more troops in the waning years of the Civil War and raised several companies of young boys, referred to as the Junior Reserves.  They were no more than age 17 and usually assigned to guard key military points.

The Fort Fisher State Historic Site will hold a Junior Reserves program and encampment this weekend, July 29-30 and will have plenty of family-friendly activities.  Admission is free.

There will be musket demonstrations, artillery firing, a "paint a toy soldier" workshop and a "School of the Soldier" to give young "recruits" a taste of drilling.  re-enactors will be on site dressed in period attire to tell the story of the Junior reserve units, several of which were stationed at Fort Fisher.

The times of this will be Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m..

This program is made possible through the support of the Friends of Fort Fisher, New Hanover County and the towns of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach.

--Old B-Ruunner