Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
5 Virginia National Parks to Put on Your Radar Lesser-known National Park Service locations shine a light on American history and culture, tempting travelers to stray off the beaten path
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By Randy Mink irginia abounds with landmarks that tell America’s story from its very beginnings and celebrate who we are as a nation. Many are properties of the National Park Service, with popular examples including Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown Battlefield. Scattered throughout the state, however, are some overlooked sites with compelling lures of their own. Here is a look at five Virginia National Parks worth a detour:
Fort Monroe National Monument
Upon its closure in 2011, America’s third-oldest Army post, acclaimed for its strategic role in defending the Chesapeake Bay, was designated a National Monument. Completed in 1834, Fort Monroe was dubbed the “Gibraltar of the Chesapeake” because of its massive stone fortifications. Located on a peninsula overlooking Hampton Roads, one of the largest natural harbors in the world, this Virginia
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National Park figures prominently in African American history. It was at this site in 1619 that the first Africans arrived in English-occupied North America, beginning a period of slavery that lasted for 246 years. And during the Civil War, Fort Monroe became a sanctuary for thousands of escaped slaves, earning it the nickname “Freedom’s Fortress.” (Even though Virginia had seceded from the Union in 1861, the fort stayed in Union hands for the entirety of the war.) Two black regiments formed at Fort Monroe served gallantly in the Siege of Petersburg. Points of interest on the sprawling grounds include the 1802 Old Point Comfort Light, an active lighthouse maintained by the U.S Coast Guard; the Casemates Museum, a cavern of rooms with Civil War exhibits; the grassy Parade Ground; and Flagstaff Bastion, a hilltop offering views of Hampton Roads. Fort Monroe also offers beaches, picnic areas, nature trails, restaurants and an RV park. (fortmonroe.org, nps.gov/fomr)
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