The star shaped fort on the Baltimore map is a point of immense historical importance for the United States. This is one place of historical importance that comes alive every time one sings or talks about the national anthem, as this is where it was created. It is in the battle of 1812 after the Americans won independence from the British a few decades ago. The fort was the last battle front and marked an important day in the history of American war against the British Empire.

Fort McHenry on Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_McHenry

Other Details at Home & Abroad

http://www.homeandabroad.com/browse/details/sites.ha?mainInfoId=97490

Francis Scott Key wrote the national anthem Star Spangled Banner, when he was inspired by the waving of an oversized American flag amidst the battle and cannon fire raging at Fort McHenry. The Americans won the battle and successfully protected Baltimore against an attack by British naval forces posted at Chesapeake Bay. The fort was built in 1798, a few years after the American War of Independence, in order to protect the area from future attacks.

Reviews on Fort McHenry

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The venue can be reached by enrolling in any travel and sightseeing program organized in Baltimore. The importance of the venue lends its marvelous location against the bay area. The well cut out star shape is extraordinarily palpable as one takes a tour inside the premises of the fort. Particularly tranquil, the ambience at the monument also sits a statue of Orpheus, which is dedicated to soldiers who laid their lives against the British forces.

Governing body of the site is the National Park Service, which runs many other parks all over the United States. Most parks are carefully maintained in order to preserve the historical and natural value as heritage entities of the country. A number of comfortable hotels in and around the area can be extremely convenient as downtown Baltimore is also located in the area.

Fort McHenry Tunnel

http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Fort_McHenry_Tunnel.html

Fort Mchenry is a star shaped fort in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the only place in the United States that is doubly designated as a "National Monument and Historic Shrine". Fort Mchenry has earned such a reputation due to its significant historic meaning. Today it has become a recreation center for local people and a tourist destination for visitors from all over the world.

Fort Mchenry was named after an early American statesman named James McHenry. He was a signer of the United States Constitution from Maryland. Fort Mchenry played a crucial role in the War of 1812 during the British navy's attack. It had successfully defended Baltimore Harbor. During this bombardment of the fort, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem "The Star-Spangled Banner". Later the poem was set to the tune of the "To Anacreon in Heaven" and became America's national anthem. In 1925, the fort was made a national park which had attracted thousands of visitors each year. You might want to know more about the history of Fort Mchenry:

History of Fort Mchenry

http://www.nps.gov/archive/fomc/tguide/Lesson11a.htm

If you also want to come to see the "Birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner", you need to know the hours information ahead of your schedule.

Regular Hours: In Fort Mchenry, there are mainly three parts opened to public, respectively the ground, Star Fort and Visitor Center. Regular hours apply to other seasons of the year except the summer which lasts from 3rd Jun to 4th Sept. During this period of time, the ground is opened at 8:00 am and closed at 5:00 pm. Star Fort and Visitor Center is opened at the exam same time as the ground. But they are closed 15 minutes earlier.

Summer Hours: Summer hours apply to the period lasting from 3rd Jun to 4th Sept. During the summer hours, the ground is opened at 8:00 am and closed at 8:00 pm. The opening time of Star Fort and Visitor Center also remains the same, but they are not closed until 7:45 pm.

Notes: Fort Mchenry is closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 25 and January 1. Keep a close eye on its official web in case of any change of time:

Fort Mchenry Hours Information

http://www.nps.gov/fomc/planyourvisit/hours.htm

Special Events: As Fort Mchenry is of great historic significance, naturally Fort Mchenry would celebrate any holidays related to the American flag. Special programs including speeches will be given on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and more. Other grand special events are also held on Civil War Days (third weekend of April), Juneteenth (Saturday closest to June 19) and Defenders' Day Weekend (closest weekend to September 13). Events like demonstrations, parades and re-enactments are common to see on those days. Don't miss it if you would like to know about the history. These special events are quite educational.

Want to know what's the upcoming special event? Check the following site:

Event Calendar

http://www.nps.gov/fomc/planyourvisit/events.htm

As one of the most famous forts in Baltimore, the Fort McHenry was named in memory of James McHenry, a citizen of Baltimore who became US Secretary of War in 1798. In 1925, the Fort McHenry was made into a national park. Today, visitors can explore the park to learn about its history or just for fun.

Convenient Transportation: Located within ten miles of Baltimore Washington International Airport and three miles southeast of the Baltimore Inner Harbor, the Fort McHenry is within easy reach. There are various transportations available to get there. For more details and directions, check this link:

Fort McHenry Directions

http://www.nps.gov/fomc/planyourvisit/directions.htm

Ticket Fees: The admission for adults aged 16 and up to the historic area of the park is $7. Children aged 15 and younger are free. This admission guarantees visitors a 7-day entrance permit to the McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. You need to have the ticket with you when re-enter the park in the 7-day time period.

Annual or Lifetime Passes are available for the Fort. You can purchase all passes at the Visitor Center Information Desk.

What to do in the park? Fort McHenry provides visitors with many things to do. You can explore the Visitor Center and Museums. The Visitor Center offers an orientation film about the fort's history, exhibitions, restrooms and a gift shop.

The Museums will offer more things for visitors including the fort, barracks and related structures. The barracks contain some exhibits: the Enlistmen's Quarters, an electronic map, uniform and weapons displays, videos, Junior Officers' Quarters, powder magazine, Commanding Officer's Quarters and the 1814 Guard House.

Besides visiting the center and museums, there are also outdoor activities for fun. If weather permitting, you can watch a flag change at 9:30am or 4:20pm every day. On the summer weekends, the costumed living history interpreters will dwell on stories of the fort and the people of Baltimore and the Fort McHenry Guard will perform drill, musket and artillery demonstrations. Other interpretive programs and events are scheduled throughout the year. Special events include twilight tattoo ceremonies, concerts and Civil War Weekend. Check events schedule for dates and times:

Fort McHenry Schedule of Events

http://www.nps.gov/fomc/planyourvisit/events.htm

If you take your kids to visit the park, you don't have to worry your kids would feel bored. Kids can also have a great time at Fort McHenry. A very popular activity for kids is earning the Junior Ranger badge and certificate. Plan to spend two hours with this activity.

Be a Junior Ranger

http://www.nps.gov/fomc/forkids/beajuniorranger.htm

Many locals just simply enjoy its spacious and waterfront grounds, which are free to the public for biking, jogging, picnicking or just watching the boats going by. Please note that there is an admission to the fort itself at the grounds.

After exploring the Fort McHenry National Monument, do you want to pay a visit to nearby attractions passingly? There are a lot of attractions near the McHenry Fort. Explore the nearby attractions from this page:

http://www.nps.gov/fomc/planyourvisit/nearbyattractions.htm

Fort McHenry in Baltimore is a star shaped fort, best known for its role in the Battle of Baltimore. It served as Secretary after the Battle of Baltimore for a long time before. Today, the Fort McHenry has become a national park. If you are interested in the lengthy history of the fort, then explore the Fort McHenry.

How to reach the Fort McHenry? The 43-acre national park is located at 2400 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore and just off I-95. There are several ways to get there.

Visitors can access Fort McHenry via Public Transportation. Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Bus #1 makes a stop at the main gate of the park. After getting there, you only need to take a 100-yard walk to the Visitor Center and Star Fort.

Water transportation is available to Fort McHenry from various locations around the Inner Harbor. The schedule varies based on the season. However, if you are arriving by boat, you may depart by boat as well. Please note that visitors need to board elsewhere in the Inner Harbor area to explore Fort McHenry if taking boat.

During the spring months and fall months, Ed Kane's Water Taxi also offers transportation from the Inner Harbor to the park. You can call in advance to confirm the latest schedule. The contact number is 410-563-3901 or 800-658-8947.

If you drive yourself to the park from I-95 northbound, take Exit 55 Key Highway. Drive on to the light at the Key Highway. At the second light on the highway, drive towards left onto the Lawrence Street. Then turn left at the next light to the Fort Avenue. You will see Fort McHenry soon.

From I-95 southbound, drive to the toll booths on the far right as you approach the Fort McHenry Tunnel. After emerging from the tunnel, you will be exiting quickly. Then take Exit 55 Key Highway to Lawrence Street.

If you are right in the Inner Harbor, take Light Street south to Key Highway. Turn left to Lawrence Street. Drive on and turn left onto Fort Avenue. Fort Avenue will bring you to the location.

Maps: If you are still confused with the routes, there is a route map for your reference. You also can have a glimpse at the detailed pictures and maps of the park.

Route Map to Fort McHenry

http://www.nps.gov/fomc/planyourvisit/maps.htm

Pictures and Maps of Fort McHenry

http://www.johnsmilitaryhistory.com/ftmchenry.html

There are some things you should know before you come. Visitors to Fort McHenry should begin at the Visitor Center. The center provides a video presentation about the fort's history and some interactive exhibitions. People aged 16 and up to the center will be charged $7. Kids are free and visiting the grounds is free as well.

Pets are allowed on the grounds but not in the historic zone or visitor center. And they need to be leashed at all times and owners have to pick up after their pets.

Both the Visitor Center and the Fort McHenry itself are accessible to people using wheelchairs. Explore more info about accessibility from this page:

http://www.nps.gov/fomc/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm

Fort Mchenry was a fort that existed during the early 1800s during the war of 1812. It served as an important fortress to hold the advance of the British navy and, since then has had other historical events take place in it, like the creation of the United States' national anthem. Fort McHenry was made a national park in the 1920s. Since then, it has gained historical value to the state of Baltimore, and to the country. A tradition regularly observed here is that whenever a new flag is designated (the first were 49 and 50-star US flags), it is first flown over the fort.

1) Fort McHenry as a National Monument

Since its status as a national monument, the fort has become a place of recreation and historical appreciation. Defenders Day, the biggest celebration held in the fort's grounds, commemorates the Battle of Baltimore, and is full of activities, programs, and fireworks for visitors to take part in. Nearby museums and other establishments are also open to the public to complement the historic values already displayed during one's visit to Fort McHenry. Brookshire Inns and Suites, a hotel in Baltimore Maryland, is one of a few establishments that are a short distance from the fort, which could relatively improve the guests' familiarity with the rich history it presents.

http://fortmchenry.areaparks.com/

2) The Star-Spangled Banner

Already known to many, especially to the Americans, Fort McHenry is the birthplace of their national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". The song (or poem, as it was first composed) represents the American Spirit. It was inspired by tenacity of an oversized custom-made American flag flown over the fort to a bombardment done during a war at that time.

http://www.gusto.com/maryland/baltimore/hotels/near/fortmchenry-5759/city1714231.html#trafficLogID=563675555&visited=true&clickingLogId=34957949

The Fort Mchenry Tunnel opened in the year 1985 particularly on November 23rd. This was named after Fort McHenry, which is the site it passes. This is among the two tunnels that support traffic below the Baltimore Harbor.

Here are some of the things that you need to know about this tunnel:

Construction

This was first started back in June of 1980 and was finished after five years. The estimated cost for the project was a whopping 750 million dollars. Today, the tunnel closed the gap in the most significant interstate route in the East Coast, which is the Interstate 95. This is located between Florida and Maine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_McHenry_Tunnel

Toll rates

Starting in the year 2008, the cars passing the tunnel will have to pay two dollars no matter what direction they are heading. Those vehicles that have over two axles are required to shell out additional two dollars for every axle in their vehicle.

http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Fort_McHenry_Tunnel.html

Other facts

The tunnel is maintained by the MTA or the Maryland Transport Authority. In 2003, there were 44.1 million automobiles using this. Annually, it is estimated that there are 115,000 vehicles here daily which contribute to the average traffic.

http://www.dcroads.net/crossings/fort-mchenry/

You can find and book at a hotel in Baltimore, Maryland as you pass through the tunnel.

Fort Mchenry is situated off I-96, just Southeast of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. It was planned by Frenchman Jean Foci and named after James McHenry who once served as an escritoire of war from 1796 to 1800.

http://baltimore.org/arts-and-culture/fort-mchenry

Driving Directions

- From North, Follow I-96 south through the Fort McHenry tunnel ($ 2 toll) to exit 53 (I-395 North, Downtown), then bear left off the exit and follow signs to the Inner Harbor.

- From the South, follow I-95 North to exit 53 (I-395 North, Downtown). Continue in the left or center lane, at the third light make a right onto Pratt Street. On your right is Inner Harbor.

- From the west, follow I-70 East to Exit 91 (I-695 South, Glen Burnie). Travel on I-695 South and take Exit11A (I-95 North, Baltimore). Proceed-on I-95 North to Exit 53 (I-395 North, Downtown).at the third light; make a right onto Pratt Street, four blocks to the Inner Harbor.

http://baltimore.org/transportation/driving-directions

Admission

You are required to pay admission fee of $ 5, and include a 15 minute movie on the history of the fort. You can travel in Baltimore MD or walk around the outside of the Fort at no cost.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Maryland/Baltimore

Fort Mchenry stands tall in Baltimore for the role it played in the war that broke out in 1812. Baltimore Harbour was under attack during that war. It was then that this fort came to its rescue keeping the British navy at bay.

1. History of Fort Machinery National Monument and Historic Shrine

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_McHenry

Fort Machinery National Monument and Historic Shrine has history behind it. The war that broke out in 1812 gave Fort McHenry the title of "A Nest of Pirates." During this period of 1812 when France and Great Britain were at war with each other, American ships carrying supplies were confiscated by either France or Great Britain. Seamen were forced to serve the royal navy of Great Britain. Angered at the attitude of Great Britain, Government of America declared war on them. Private ships of Baltimore were permitted to capture British merchant vessels which they did and therefore came to be known as 'A Nest of Pirates.'

During World War I Fort Machinery National Monument and Historic Shrine served as a military base. A hospital was constructed housing 3,000 beds. In fact it served as a treatment centre as well that saw wounded soldiers on their way to civilian life or duty after they got treated. The Baltimore traveling remains incomplete without a visit to this wonderful heritage construction.

2. Present Situation of Fort Machinery National Monument and Historic Shrine

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/214125/Fort-McHenry-National-Monument-and-Historic-Shrine

http://www.tripcart.com/usa-regions/Capital/historical-sites/Fort-McHenry-National-Monument-Historic-Shrine.html

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2826389-fort_mchenry_national_monument_and_historic_shrine_baltimore-i

The five-pointed Star Fort was strongly built of brick. Four barracks stood to garrison that consists of "Junior Officers' Quarters", "Commanding Officer's Quarters" on two sides. Two other sides houses buildings for common soldiers. The guardhouse that stood close to the "Commanding Officer's Quarters" had two-fold aspects. One, guards worked & lived, and two, it played the role of confining unruly soldiers. Exactly in the middle of "Junior Officers' Quarters" there is the "Commanding Officer's Quarters". There is the "Powder Magazine", the storehouse of gunpowder.