Visitor Center at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

OPERATING HOURS

The Fort McHenry National Monument Visitor Center opens daily at 9 AM, with closing time being 5:45 PM from Memorial Day through Labor Day and 4:45 PM for the rest of the year. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Times can always change, so before making travel plans be sure to visit the park’s official Operating Hours and Seasons web page for the latest schedule.

AMENITIES

• Ranger-staffed information desk where you can pick up a free park brochure
• Large museum
• Book and souvenir store
• Meeting place for Ranger programs
• Park film
• Restrooms
• Venting machines located on the outside of the building

PARK FILM

A ten-minute film about the Battle of Baltimore shows at the top of every hour and half hour. It is a combination of live action and CGI animated battle maps. There are some intense battle scenes, but never any blood. The film is suitable for children who are old enough to understand war and death.

EXHIBITS

Museum inside the Visitor Center at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

The Fort McHenry Visitor Center is home to a large museum that is divided into three main areas of interest. One section is devoted to Francis Scott Key, the Star Spangled Banner, and the flag. It is here that I learned a number of interesting facts about Key’s poem. At the time, it was common for poems to be set to popular tunes of the day, and Key actually wrote his poem with the song To Anacreon in Heaven in mind. He had used this song for a few of his other poems, as did at least eighty other poets. The song was written in the 1770s by the members of a British gentleman’s club, the Anacreontic Society (the song subsequently became a popular pub song). The poem was originally printed under the name The Defense of Fort McHenry just a few days after the battle. In October 1814, Thomas Carr, the owner of Carr’s Music Store, published Key’s poem using the name The Star-Spangled Banner. By the end of the year it had been printed in the newspapers of half the states in the Union.

I was also unaware that the United States had no national anthem until 1931. The Star-Spangled Banner had been used by the military, but there was no official anthem. When discussion about authorizing a national anthem began in the late 1920s, opponents of the Star-Spangled Banner pointed out its British origins and connection to drinking. Other suggested songs were My Country Tis of Thee, America the Beautiful, and Hail Columbia.

Another point of interest is that the last line of what is now sung as the United States’s national anthem is actually a question.

O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

The star-spangled banner does not “yet” wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave. As Americans, we sing this blindly not even understanding what it means. At this point in the poem Key is watching the bombardment of Fort McHenry and wondering what flag will be waving over it in the morning: the United States’s or England’s. You must read the next stanza—one of three more—to find out the results. Like most everyone else, I had no idea there was more to the poem, and that what we actually sing doesn’t come to any patriotic conclusion.

Of the exhibits in this section of the museum, my favorite was an interactive touch-screen presentation that details Key’s schedule leading up to his writing of the poem. Key had sailed out to the British ships a few days prior to the bombardment of Fort McHenry to negotiate the release of a civilian doctor who had been taken prisoner. Because he arrived as attack plans were being made, he was not allowed to return to Baltimore for fear that he would warn the commander of Fort McHenry. After witnessing the bombardment and the subsequent British withdrawal, he set about writing the poem, The Defense of Fort McHenry.

Interactive touch-screen details Key’s schedule

A second section of the museum covers the Battle of Baltimore, with its centerpiece being the park film. Because the movie screen is part of the overall museum and the lights are turned down at each showing, the rest of the museum is essentially shut down during this time. It’s dark enough in there already, but with the lights out only the exhibits that are back lit, such as the interactive touch-screens, can be seen.

Visitors watch the Battle of Baltimore film at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine Visitor Center

The third area of the museum focuses on the War of 1812. Of all American wars, this is certainly one of the most forgotten. I doubt the average American would even connect Fort McHenry with the war. A key exhibit is an interactive touch-screen presentation that allows you to read about every battle in the war. You could spend an hour or more on this exhibit alone. There are also war artifacts on display such as uniforms, a cannon, and personal items used by soldiers.

Exhibit on the War of 1812 at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine Visitor Center

Uniform and personal items of soldiers who fought in the War of 1812

There is very little in the museum about Fort McHenry itself. If you want to learn about the fort, you must visit the actual fort, which is just a short walk from the Visitor Center. The enlisted men’s barracks and officers’ quarters contain exhibits on a variety of topics relating to the fort and its history.

SCHEDULING YOUR TIME

It took me an hour to read all of the information panels in the museum; I did not go through all of the interactive exhibits. Of course, very few people will have an interest in reading everything, but nevertheless, you should spend fifteen minutes or so browsing the exhibits. You’ll definitely want to watch the 10-minute film, and if you don’t happen to walk in just as it starts, spend the time waiting at the museum. I suggest setting aside at least 30 minutes for your stop at the Fort McHenry National Monument Visitor Center, and up to an hour depending on your interest in Fort McHenry and the War of 1812.

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