Friends of Fort McHenry

Friends of Fort McHenry Founded in 1984, The Friends of Fort McHenry is the recognized friends group of Fort McHenry National

The Fort McHenry Experience, a curriculum-based education program for Baltimore City school students is an example of education programming sponsored by the Friends. This “hands-on” land-sea experience operated jointly by the National Park Service and Living Classrooms Foundation educators immerses the students in the history of the Fort as well as the Fort’s importance in our Nation’s history. Th

e premiere event held at Fort McHenry is the Star-Spangled Banner Weekend, which commemorates the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and the successful defense of Fort McHenry from British invasion during the War of 1812. The Friends of Fort McHenry, in partnership with the National Park Service, present this exciting annual celebration on the weekend closest to September 14th, the actual anniversary of the bombardment of the Fort. Activities on-site throughout the weekend include a dress parade, flag raisings, cannon demonstrations, and presentations by re-enactors and living history interpreters. This event provides adults and children with the opportunity to learn about life in Baltimore during the War of 1812 and to celebrate the writing of our National Anthem.

01/13/2026

232 years ago, President George Washington signed the Flag Act of January 13, 1794, officially designating the 15-star, 15-stripe Star-Spangled Banner as the flag of the United States! This was our nation's second official flag, featuring two additional stars and stripes to represent the new states of Vermont and Kentucky, which joined the Union in 1791 and 1792.

This banner proudly flew as our official flag until 1818, when it was updated to showcase twenty stars for even more states, while two stripes were removed to honor the thirteen original colonies.

To this day, a 15-star, 15-stripe flag still flies over Fort McHenry as it did during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814. Join us for one of our flag programs and discover how this flag inspired an anthem!

📸 NPS/ Tim Ervin
Image: Visitors and rangers gather inside the historic star fort as one sized flag is exchanged for another.

National Park Service updated its 2026 free-entry calendar. Some patriotic holidays have been added, while MLK Jr. Day a...
01/05/2026

National Park Service updated its 2026 free-entry calendar. Some patriotic holidays have been added, while MLK Jr. Day and Juneteenth are removed. Please update your calendars:)

President’s Day (February 16, 2026)
Memorial Day (May 25, 2026)
Flag Day (June 14, 2026)
Independence Day weekend (July 3–5, 2026)
110th Birthday of the National Park Service (August 25, 2026)
Constitution Day (Sept. 17, 2026)
Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (Oct. 27, 2026)
Veteran’s Day (November 11, 2026)

For more detailed information on all the fee changes to National Parks, please visit https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/department-interior-announces-modernized-more-affordable-national-park-access

Temporary Fort closure. Please be aware.
11/25/2025

Temporary Fort closure. Please be aware.

UPDATE: PARK REOPENED FOR NORMAL OPERATIONS

As of 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, the park has reopened for normal operations.

UPDATE

Out of an abundance of caution, the park is temporarily closed as local fire officials investigate a breached pipe located on site. The area has been secured, and all staff and visitors are safe inside the visitor center.

The fire department is coordinating with the gas company to assess the situation. The park will provide updates as more information becomes available.

PARK ALERT

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine is temporary closed this morning due to utility work near the main gate. Please check our website and social media for updates. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to welcome visitors back to the park soon.

11/21/2025

PARK ALERT

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine will be closed for the rest of the day. Updates will be provided as they are available. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to see you soon.

UPDATE

In the early afternoon of Friday, November 21, evidence of buried historic ordnance was discovered by National Park Service preservationists.

Following standard operating procedures, the park was immediately cleared and closed to ensure the safety of visitors and staff. Local authorities and NPS personnel were contacted to address the situation.

Once the situation has been fully addressed and responders deem the area safe, the park will reopen.

Please check the park website and social media for updates.

Come one, come all!
11/15/2025

Come one, come all!

11/04/2025

Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Friends of Fort McHenry will be at Union Craft Brewing from 4PM to 7PM this evening!Stop on by our table and see a visib...
09/26/2025

Friends of Fort McHenry will be at Union Craft Brewing from 4PM to 7PM this evening!

Stop on by our table and see a visible representation of how outgunned Fort McHenry was at the Battle of Baltimore against the British. Learn why we need modern day defenders too!

Union Craft Brewing, 1700 W 41st Street, #420, Baltimore, MD 21211

Take advantage of the cooler temps and the even cooler admission fee -- FREE!!! -- and visit Fort McHenry on Saturday, S...
09/24/2025

Take advantage of the cooler temps and the even cooler admission fee -- FREE!!! -- and visit Fort McHenry on Saturday, September 27th for National Public Lands Day.

Join us on September 27, 2025, for a fee free day to celebrate "Our Home Outdoors" and celebrate for the public lands we share!

Our public lands are more than just places to visit—they are woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. From the trails we hike to the parks where we gather with family and friends, these spaces are our collective backyard, our shared front porch, our natural playground.

So, gather your family and friends to explore Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine, or as we like to call it "Baltimore's hometown National Park," for free this Saturday!

🎨 National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)
Image: NPLD 2025 illustration. The scene is arranged left to right (West Coast to East Coast) and top to bottom (sky to sea), with each element representing a real species, landscape, or place found across America’s public lands.

Orioles vs. Yankees at 7:05PMHappy Saturday! Get to Union Craft Brewing early and warm up before the game.Round up your ...
09/20/2025

Orioles vs. Yankees at 7:05PM

Happy Saturday! Get to Union Craft Brewing early and warm up before the game.

Round up your tab and support Union, the O's AND Friends of Fort McHenry. It's a home run!

1700 W 41st St #420, Baltimore, MD 21211

Baltimore vs. Yankees at 7:05PMBegin your weekend at Union Craft Brewing! Support Union, the O's AND Friends of Fort McH...
09/19/2025

Baltimore vs. Yankees at 7:05PM

Begin your weekend at Union Craft Brewing! Support Union, the O's AND Friends of Fort McHenry by rounding up your tab the entire month of September.

1700 W 41st St #420, Baltimore, MD 21211

Orioles vs. Yankees at 7:15PMHightail it to Union Craft Brewing and round up your tab while enjoying the game!1700 W 41s...
09/18/2025

Orioles vs. Yankees at 7:15PM

Hightail it to Union Craft Brewing and round up your tab while enjoying the game!

1700 W 41st St #420, Baltimore, MD 21211

Support Union, the O's AND Friends of Fort McHenry. It’s a home run!

Address

2400 E Fort Avenue
Baltimore, MD
21230

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14109624290

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Friends of Fort McHenry posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share