Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site

Fort Ward is the best preserved of the system of Union forts and batteries built to protect Washington, DC during the American Civil War (1861-1865).
Page updated on March 6, 2023 at 1:11 PM

Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site

Fort Ward Museum interprets the site's history and offers exhibits on Civil War topics, education and interpretive programs, tours, lecture and video series, bus tours, and living history activities throughout the year. The Museum and Historic Site also interpret Alexandria, Virginia as an occupied city, the city's role as a vital Union Army crossroads, life within the Defenses of Washington, and the everyday life of Civil War soldiers and civilians.

The historic fort provides visitors with an excellent understanding of Civil War-era military engineering. About 90% of the fort's earthwork walls are preserved and the Northwest Bastion has been restored and reconstructed to its original condition.  

Download a brochure: Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site: Bastions of Freedom

Women's History Month

Civil War Women Soldiers-997x997

Women's History in Alexandria

Civil War Women’s Day
Saturday, March 25, 2023
In recognition of Women’s History Month, Fort Ward Museum is presenting Civil War Women’s Day. This living history program is free, and interesting for all ages.

Visit Fort Ward

The History of Fort Ward

drum with painted American Eagle

Museum Collections

Fort Ward Museum features a collection of over 2,000 objects from the Civil War period, primarily of Union origin, in conjunction with the Federal history of the site. Also included are objects related to the Civil War Defenses of Washington, and local Civil War history.

Alexandria During the Civil War

Marshall House hotel, black-and-white photograph

Alexandria During the Civil War

Within days of Virginia's secession from the Union in the spring of 1861, Federal troops arrived in Alexandria to take possession of the city. Online resources provide some insight into the War and its effect on Alexandria and its inhabitants.

Washington Street Methodist Church Hospital (National Archives)

Union Hospitals in Alexandria

Learn about Alexandria's Civil War hospitals and rest camps. See historic images, Quartermaster maps, and images of the sites today.

Edward French, Civil War Zoave

First Person Accounts

For four years, Alexandria was an occupied city. We are fortunate to have a number of first-person accounts from this period in Alexandria’s history.

Support Fort Ward

More Information

Contact the Museum

Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site
4301 West Braddock Road
Alexandria, Virginia 22304
Phone: 703.746.4848

Contact the Museum (Alex311)

Mission Statement

Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site actively preserves and interprets this historic landmark and its collections according to professional museum standards in order to foster a greater appreciation and understanding of its history and significance by City residents and the general public.

The Museum interprets the Civil War Defenses of Washington, D.C., Fort Ward’s history and preservation, wartime Alexandria, and soldier and civilian life during the Civil War.  The Museum collects, preserves and interprets artifacts related to these themes that are featured in exhibits, used for research purposes, and are the context for a variety of public programs sponsored by the Museum, including tours, lectures and living history events. To meet its educational goals, the Museum also operates a Civil War research library with specialized resources on the Defenses of Washington; maintains an informative web site; works with local school systems to enhance classroom study of Civil War history, including the distribution of an award-winning outreach program; and collaborates with other agencies that preserve local Civil War forts to promote the history of these sites and to foster Civil War heritage tourism.

Programs and Events

Programs & Events at Fort Ward Museum

Throughout the year Civil War lectures, changing exhibits, preservation workshops, bus tours and living history events encourage learning about this important period in American history. Check the calendar for a full schedule of upcoming events.

Educational Resources

Educational Resources at Fort Ward

Students, adults, groups and YOU can learn about this historic site and the Civil War in general from a variety of educational programs sponsored by Fort Ward Museum.

For Civil War Reenactors

Civil War Reenactors Information

Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site enlists the talents and knowledge of reenactors to offer numerous living history programs interpreting Civil War soldier and civilian life. Here are the resources you need to participate in an event.