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 February 8, 2023 at 1:01 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

What's Happening at Fort Ward?

Fort Ward Park Entrance Sign at Braddock Road

Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan

Learn about the Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan and how it is being implemented. Learn the history of the African American community known as The Fort, and what is being done to preserve and interpret its historic resources during park improvements.

Visit Fort Ward

Fort Ward Gate

Plan Your Visit

Fort Ward Museum is now open Thursdays and Fridays 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. The historic site is open daily from 9 a.m. to sunset. This page has directions and additional information to assist in planning your visit.

Fort Ward's restored north bastion, with canons

Tour the Fort

Visitors to Fort Ward can view continuing and changing exhibits in the Museum, a reconstructed Officers' Hut with period furnishings, and the restored and reconstructed historic fort.

The Fort Heritage Trail Sign: From Civil War to Civil Rights

The Fort: A Post-Civil War Community

Learn about the history and archaeology of The Fort: A Post-Civil War African American Community, and about the Interpretive Plan for Fort Ward Park that will include the full range of its history, especially including the African American experience.

The History of Fort Ward and Civil War Alexandria

Alexandria section of Colton 1862 map, topographical map of the original District of Columbia and environs showing the fortifications around the city of Washington

History of Fort Ward

Fort Ward was constructed in 1861, as part of the Defenses of Washington, a system of 164 earthwork forts and batteries surrounding the capital.

1864 Plan of Fort Ward

Building an Earthwork Fort

Learn about building an earthwork fort, the parts of a fort, and military terms used during the Civil War. Visit the earthworks at Fort Ward Park & Historic Site.

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.

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.

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.

Friends of Fort Ward

Friends of Fort Ward

Founded in 1982, the Friends of Fort Ward is dedicated to preserving the historic fort and museum collections and encouraging public recognition and use of this unique Civil War site.

Volunteering at Fort Ward

Volunteering at Fort Ward

Volunteers at Fort Ward Museum greet visitors, answer questions about the site, assist with tours, and help with living history events.

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.