Fort Frederica National Monument Visitor Center

OPERATING HOURS

The Visitor Center at Fort Frederica National Monument is typically open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. However, times can always change, so be sure to get the latest schedule on the National Park Service’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the park.

Inside the Fort Frederica National Monument Visitor Center

AMENITIES

• Ranger-staffed information desk where you can get a park brochure
• Small exhibit area
• Small book / souvenir store
• Children’s area with period costumes available to try on
• Restrooms
• Trail to the fort and town site begins at the back of the building

Information desk at the Fort Frederica National Monument Visitor Center

PARK FILM

Fort Frederica: History Uncovered, a 23-minute film about both the town and the actual fort at Frederica, plays every half hour. The first half of the film deals with the founding of Frederica by James Oglethorpe, his soldiers, and an assortment of British and Scottish families. It connects the actual history to a series of archaeological excavations of the town that took place between 1947 and 1979.

The second half of the film covers the fighting between the British and Spanish in north Florida and Saint Simons Island between 1740 and 1742. Actual battle reenactments are featured, but the violence is constrained to soldiers firing weapons and a few dead soldiers lying on the ground. The film is suitable for any youngster who understands the concept of war and death—8+ is my recommendation.

Auditorium and theater at Fort Frederica National Monument

EXHIBITS

The exhibit area at the Fort Frederica Visitor Center is not very big, and the bulk of it is set aside for children. Here they can play games and dress up in period costumes.

Children’s area of the Fort Frederica National Monument Visitor Center

As for the educational portion of the exhibits, along one wall are six information panels that deal with the archaeological excavations and the history of the town of Frederica. There are also a few cases of artifacts that were found during the digging.

Informational exhibits and artifacts dealing with the town of Frederica on display in the Fort Frederica National Monument Visitor Center

On the opposite wall are two display cases of cannon balls and other military paraphernalia found in the area.

Military artifacts found at Fort Frederica on display in the Fort Frederica National Monument Visitor Center

One other major feature is an aerial view model of Frederica that helps you visualize what the town might have looked like when you are outside exploring the actual town and fort.

Model of Fort Frederica on display in the Fort Frederica National Monument Visitor Center

SCHEDULING YOUR TIME

If you want to read all of the information in the exhibit area and watch the park film, plan to spend an hour at the Fort Frederica Visitor Center.

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