- State: MD
- NPCA Region: Mid-Atlantic
- Est. Date: 1925
Air Quality Conditions
View the Polluted Parks ReportVisibility
Unsatisfactory
Health
Significant Concern
Nature
Significant Concern
During the War of 1812, British forces sailed to Baltimore, Maryland, intent on attacking the city. But Baltimore was defended by Fort McHenry — a star-shaped fort perfectly situated on the Baltimore Harbor. On the morning of September 13, 1814, the British navy attacked the fort for 25 hours. Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment from a ship in Baltimore harbor and expressed his gratitude and relief at the victory in a poem that became "The Star-Spangled Banner."
A Century of Service
Following the Battle of Baltimore, Fort McHenry remained an active military site for more than 100 years. During the Civil War, the fort served as a prison for Confederate soldiers and sympathizers, and during World War I, it was used as an army hospital for soldiers and veterans.
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Blog Post
Trump Infrastructure Proposal Could Devastate Public Lands
NPCA outlines 5 of the most dangerous elements in the Trump administration’s infrastructure proposal and examples of how they could affect national parks.
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Blog Post
In Baltimore, the Red and the Blue Wave Together as One
The flag at Fort McHenry reminds us what America stands for and how our nation has endured through decades of challenges.
More about Fort McHenry
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Read more about Thousands of Schoolchildren Create Living Flag at Fort McHenry
Blog Post Thousands of Schoolchildren Create Living Flag at Fort McHenry Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland, is probably best known for its famous flag, which billowed over the star-shaped ramparts after a fierce British attack during the War of 1812 and inspired Sir Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner.
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Read more about Protecting and Connecting Our Nation's Treasured Park Landscapes
Fact Sheet Protecting and Connecting Our Nation's Treasured Park Landscapes National parks are key to protecting and connecting our most revered places.
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Read more about Protecting Fort McHenry
Fact Sheet Protecting Fort McHenry During the War of 1812, British forces sailed to Baltimore, Maryland, intent on attacking the city. But Baltimore was defended by Fort McHenry - a star-shaped fort perfectly situated on a point jutting into Baltimore Harbor.
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Read more about Protecting Our Chesapeake, Protecting Our National Parks
Report Protecting Our Chesapeake, Protecting Our National Parks The Chesapeake Bay watershed is home to more than 50 national park units. Shenandoah National Park in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, and the C&O Canal National Historical Park along the Potomac River are just a few of the parks that share this common bond. Their streams and rivers, along with many others in the expansive watershed, ultimately flow into the Chesapeake Bay, which is recognized as one of America’s Great Waters.
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if we're blind to our history, how can we ever expect to clearly see our future? — John
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Read more about Parks Group Report Urges Restoration of Chesapeake Watershed to Ensure Preservation of National Park Sites Tied to Pivotal Moments in Founding of United States
Press Release Parks Group Report Urges Restoration of Chesapeake Watershed to Ensure Preservation of National Park Sites Tied to Pivotal Moments in Founding of United States 'Protecting Our Chesapeake, Protecting Our National Parks' narrative identifies challenges faced by Patapsco River in Maryland and James River in Virginia and how those issues negatively impact the historic character, environments of Fort McHenry, Colonial and Fort Monroe park sites.
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