| 
|
Home >
Visit a Gateway > By Theme >
Best Gateways For…
|
|
|
The Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network has something for everyone - from special parks and museums to historic communities, land and water trails. Each month, the Network highlights some of its sites that offer you a unique look at life on the Chesapeake. These thematic lists can help you explore the Network and experience your Chesapeake. |
|
 As one of the major means of trade and travel, the Chesapeake has always had a strong military and naval presence both because of its economic importance to the nation’s welfare and because of the naval access it provided to inland sites. Visit these Gateways and learn about American military and naval history in and around the Bay.
|
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine - Baltimore, MD
The birthplace of the United States’ National Anthem, this late 18th century star-shaped fort and national park guarded Baltimore’s Harbor from the British attack that inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star Spangled Banner.” Relive colonial history while visiting this historical monument. |
Fort Washington Park - Fort Washington, MD
Picturesque Fort Washington sits on high ground overlooking the Potomac River and offers a grand view of Washington and the Virginia shoreline. Today, only one silent gun stands behind the masonry wall – the last armament of the powerful fort that once guarded the water approach from the Chesapeake Bay to our nation's capital. When ocean-going warships had wood sides and carried smoothbore cannons, no enemy would attempt to ascend the river before destroying the fort. |
Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum - St. Leonard, MD
On the shoreline of the Patuxent River, Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum explores the changing cultures and environment of the Chesapeake Bay region of the past 12,000 years. Visitors can investigate human history by touring restored farm buildings, by seeing museum exhibits and by visiting the more than 70 archaeological sites—one of which is the site of the 1814 Battle of St. Leonard Creek, the largest naval engagement in Maryland’s history. |
Nauticus: The National Maritime Center - Norfolk, VA
Envision sailing on the Battleship Wisconsin and learn about our nation’s naval heritage at Nauticus as you travel through two centuries of naval history. Visitors also can enjoy seeing exotic aquaria, touching sharks, viewing films and interacting with a host of other hands-on exhibits. |
USS Constellation Museum - Baltimore, MD
The last standing civil war vessel, the USS Constellation was the final sailing warship constructed by the U.S. Navy. Patrolling the waters to intercept slave ships, the USS Constellation was the flagship of an anti-slavery patrol. |
|
|
|
|
|
