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 Has Summer Activities for the Kids-- Part 3: Toy Soldiers and Water Balloons

AUGUST 5--  "TOY SOLDIER WORKSHOP"  Soldiers in most wars have specially designed uniforms.  During the Civil War both sides had the famous :Blue and Gray" uniforms, but also colors on the piping to indicate which branch of service they were in.

Learn about soldier uniforms, the colors they used and their equipment.

The best part is you get to paint your very own toy soldier and, even better, take it home.

AUGUST 12--  "THE ARTILLERY GUNNER"

Learn how Fort Fisher's artillerists had to use math and science to target Union ships out to sea.  then try your own hand at hitting the blockading ships with water balloons!

Take home your own quadrant to practice measuring launch angles for your own water balloon battles.

Watch Out Sister and Older Brother.  --Old B-R'er

Fort Fisher Has Summer Activities for the Kids-- Part 2: Secret Codes and Blockade-Runners

JULY 22:--  COMMUNICATIONS AND SECRET CODES"  Explores how Civil War units sent messages over long distances without texting and cell phones.  Also, how to keep messages from falling into enemy hands.

Kids will learn the "Wig-Wag" flag system and encrypt your own messages using cipher discs that you can take home.

JULY 29--  "THE BLOCKADE--RUNNERS"  Join the Fort Fisher Signal Corps and learn how blockade-runners supplied with needed munitions and goods under the protection of Fort Fisher's cannons.

Be you own blockade-runner captain and see if you can safely run the blockade to and from Wilmington.

--Old B-Runner

Fort Fisher Has Summer Activities for the Kids-- Part 1: Attention Junior Reserves!!

Not only are there lectures for adults and tours of the fort, but al;so there are weekly activities geared toward the kids.

JULY 2:  "School of the Soldier"  Kids will learn the manual of arms, loading a musket in nine stages and life of the soldier doing garrison duty like at Fort Fisher.

JULY 9:  "The Whole garrison's Gone to Gardening"  Kids will learn how the garrison fed themselves and fought off diseases.  They will be able to take home their own potted plant.

JULY 16:  "Archaeology at Fort Fisher"  Kids will explore the for's history by the archaeological record on local land and waterway.  Maritime archaeologists from the North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Unit will be on hand to talk.

--Old B-Runner