The new 87-foot flagpole being installed. NPS photo by Benjamin Kreshtool.
Few places are more closely associated with the Stars and Stripes than Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, and the park has a new flagpole that's a blend of modern technology and 19th century craftsmanship. It was installed in plenty of time for a special event on August 1st.
“Historically, Fort McHenry has gone through a lot flagpoles,” says Chief of Interpretation Vincent Vaise. “The first known replacement was in 1810, four years before the bombardment. It was struck by lightning and blown apart. Nature had better aim than the British.”
The most recent flagpole at Fort McHenry dated to 1989. Wayne Boyd, the park's Acting Maintenance Chief, discovered hidden rot in the existing flagpole, prompting the need for a replacement.
“I was taking part in a special National Park Service maintenance training program," says Boyd. "Part of the program was to make a careful assessment of park facilities and historic structures. That’s when I noticed that there was some rot in the center of the pole."
This discovery made it essential to install a new flag pole to ensure visitors safety. The new flagpole, which will stand at 87 feet, is made of Douglas fir. Resembling a ship’s mast, the pole is constructed in two parts for stability and to make it easier to perform maintenance.
“They used to build sailing ships in Baltimore,” says ranger Scott Sheads. “If you wanted something that tall for a flagpole, you likely built it as a mast.”
The new pole is a blend of modern technology and 19th century craftsmanship. During work on the new pole, Steven Wagner and Son, of Center Valley, Pennsylvania, ...were busy shaving, cutting, and blending vintage iron hardware, much as their historic predecessors had done. However, modern epoxy and paints will ensure that the pole weathers the elements for a long time.
On June 19, 2009, the previous pole was removed, and a temporary aluminum pole was used to ensure that the flag continued to wave 24 hours a day at Fort McHenry during the two-week replacement project. Visitors still had the opportunity to participate in flag changes and see a period flag with 15-stars and 15-stripes.
Installation of the new flagpole was completed well before a special event at 6:00 p.m. on August 1, 2009.
The program features patriotic music, military pageantry and living history! The program begins with a concert by the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, Continental Color Guard, U.S. Army Drill Team, Baltimore Brass and Fort McHenry Guard. Dressed in the uniforms of Washington’s Continental Army, the U.S Army old Guard Fife and Drum Corps plays stirring fife and drum music to audiences worldwide.
Joining the Old Guard is the Fort McHenry Guard Fife and Drum Corps. The Fifes and Drums of the Fort McHenry Guard have played for the Governor of Maryland, Michael Phelps and dignitaries throughout the state.
If you can't attend that event, there are other special activities at the park on summer weekends.
From 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm every Saturday and Sunday through August 29, visitors can enjoy living history programs by the Fort McHenry Guard.
Experience the daily life of the War of 1812 soldier, sailor and citizen through presentations by the Fort McHenry Guard. Dressed in replica clothing of the early Nineteenth Century, the Guard conducts drills, barracks activities, artillery and musket firing demonstrations, civilian activities, and children's programs.
Work has begun on a new visitor center for the park, and the project requires some parking changes. Click here for details.
The park is located at 2400 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230. Driving directions and other information to help you plan a visit to Fort McHenry are available on the park website.
A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.
Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:
- Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
- Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
- Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
- North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
- Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
- Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
- Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.
INN Member
The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.
Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.
Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.
You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.
Comments
After the battle on 14, September 1814, at what angle was the flag pole being held up by the fallen?
When the pastor's video about the origin of the American National Anthem was released, i recognized some misinformation among the scripted storyline. One was the number of stacked bodies holding up the "flag pole" as the Brittish fired round after round at the "Colors" and the "flag pole." Kniwing the so called flag ploe was actually the wood mast of a ship which displayed the Flag.
From the height of the mast & the size of the Flag, I questioned the part about the men holding up the mast while under fire. It seemed impossible for men to stand there with explosives going off just above them, while they held it up with a 30' x 42' heavy sewn flag with stars nearly 30" tall, hand sewn on a flag secured to the top of the past.. ehen the video in question was released years ago, I contacted the Dept. Of the Interior/National Parks Div. to get the facts on the wounded hold up a shps mast during battle. I was told, "That would be impossiblle because no deaths occured from the British bombardments.". That changed the video story completly and showed the obviously poor research done prior to producing the misinformion still being passed on to the uninformed viewers, as fact..
And this distorded info is still taveling around the globe some 10 years later with no retraction. SHAMEFUL. History is distorted and passed of as fact, when it's not at all. Most is accurate however, when it's riddled with errors, it's becomes nothing more than fictional entertainment based on a true story. Just like Disney's "Pocahontas" movie.. All distorted historical fiction!