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Harbor Defense Museum
230 Sheridan Loop, Fort Hamilton Military Community,
Brooklyn, NY 11252
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Official Website
Hours
Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm; Sat, 10am-4pm; Sun, closed
Nearby Subway Stops
A at Grant Ave.
Parking
- On Premise Parking
Profile
Construction on Fort Hamilton began in 1825—a response to the need to build up coastal defenses after the War of 1812. Today the big guns are gone, but preserving the garrison’s history is New York’s only Army museum, funded by the Defense Department and housed in the fort's freestanding rear caponier. Visitors may guide themselves through the cozy bunkerlike space—with rifle ports now guarding a parking lot in place of the original moat—or opt for a guided tour of displays showcasing New York City’s defense artifacts: ammunition, uniforms, maps, etc., with particular emphasis on the Revolutionary War period. Tours are tailored for students but are especially a treat for artillery enthusiasts, for while there's plenty of machinery to ogle—like the German WWII "Screaming Meemie" on the fort's grounds or the original Pattern 1844 24-pound flank howitzer sitting in the caponier—hands-on guided activities like loading a nineteenth-century cannon and learning the mechanism behind a wartime musket bring history to life.
Admission
A Walk-In pass for entrance into the fort grounds must be obtained from the visitor's center. Be sure to bring picture I.D.
Tours
Tours are free, but it is recommended that they be set up in advance, especially for larger groups.