Fort Mifflin

Category:

Locations

Location:

South Philadelphia

Price:

Under $10

Demographic:

All ages

URL:

http://www.fortmifflin.com

Fort Mifflin was commissioned in 1771 by the British to protect Philadelphia from invasion. The Fort was still incomplete, however, when the Revolutionary War broke out. As the winter of 1777 approached, the British had occupied Philadelphia. Nevertheless, in order to continue their assault on the American forces, they needed to restock their provisions. In an effort to prevent the British supply ships from reaching the city, several hundred American soldiers occupied Fort Mifflin, and placed obstacles in the river beside it. The British fleet laid siege to the Fort and finally captured it in mid-November. By that time, however, the river had frozen over, and the supplies could not be delivered. Washington was thus able to retreat with his army to Valley Forge without fear of British pursuit.

Throughout the 1800s, Fort Mifflin was rebuilt and expanded. During the Civil War, it was used as a prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers. The Fort then remained a U.S. military base until it was finally abandoned in the 1950s. At that time, it was the oldest continuously-occupied fort in the country.

Fort Mifflin is now open for tours Wednesday through Saturday until 4pm. The soldiers’ barracks, officers’ quarters, arsenals, gun batteries, and other structures are open for exploration. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children. On weekends, guided tours are available at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm, along with uniform and weapon demonstrations.