Built in the 1800’s, Fort Monroe was dubbed “Freedom’s Fortress” when thousands of enslaved people sought refuge there during the Civil War.  In addition to the peninsula’s rich history, it contains more than two miles of rare undeveloped Chesapeake Bay shoreline that could be enjoyed for boating, birding and other outdoor recreation.

In September, the U.S. Army will leave the Fort due to base closures, giving the United States a rare opportunity to make Fort Monroe a national park site.

The National Parks Conservation Association welcomed the news, stating:

“Today, we applaud Virginia Representatives Scott Rigell (R-2nd), Bobby Scott (D-3rd), Rob Wittman (R-1st) and Randy Forbes (R-4th), for introducing the Fort Monroe National Historical Park Establishment Act of 2011, H.R. 2456, a bill that will create a new national park in Hampton, Virginia.

 “On behalf of our 600,000 members and supporters, we thank Representatives Rigell, Scott, Wittman and Forbes for their leadership and vision in bringing the creation of a park at Fort Monroe one step closer to fruition. A companion bill, S.1303, was introduced in the United States Senate by Virginia Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner last month and has also received bi-partisan support from state and local elected officials, including Governor Robert McDonnell and Hampton Mayor Molly Ward.

The NPCA is urging residents to attend two public meetings on July 19 at 2pm and 6:30pm at the Hampton Roads Convention Center: "We urge Virginia residents to join us to discuss the future of America’s next great urban national park.”

source: National Parks Conservation Association