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Fort Washington Park | VISITOR CENTER

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Fort Washington Park Visitor Center

OPERATING HOURS

The Fort Washington Park Visitor Center is housed in the former Commanding Officer’s quarters. It is open daily from 9 AM to 4:30 PM, except when Fort Washington Park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

• Ranger-staffed information desk where you can pick up a free park brochure and self-guided fort tour brochure
• Book and souvenir store
• Exhibit Area
• Film about Fort Washington

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Fort washington park cultural landscape.

NPS / Fort Washington photo files

Today, Fort Washington Park is a 341-acre historical and recreational area in Prince George’s County, Maryland, just south of Washington, D.C. The Fort Washington cultural landscape's period of historic significance begins in 1808, when the federal government first acquired property at Digges' Point to build a fortification, and continues to 1921, when the final Coast Artillery troops were withdrawn. After that, the post no longer served a defensive role.

The landscape is the former site of Warburton Manor, the Digges's family plantation that predated the fort. After years of negotiation, in 1808, the family sold a portion of the property to the U.S. government for the construction of a fort overlooking the Potomac River in order to help protect the new capital city. Fort Warburton, a component of what is known as the "Second System" of fortifications built to protect the U.S. coast, was completed the following year. The fort was destroyed in August of 1814 after it was assaulted by a British naval squadron. The more substantial Fort Washington was a brick and stone work, typical of American forts of the "Third" or "Permanent System" of fortifications. When the fort was completed in 1824, it had a system of walls, moats, and outerworks for protection. It was designed to take advantage of the topography, positioned above the river and defended on the landside by a ravine. Forts during this era were intended to operate as relatively self-sufficient communities, and much of the development of the post supported this expectation.

NARA/Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, #47691

Quick Facts

• Cultural Landscape Type: Designed
• National Register Significance Level: National
• National Register Significance Criteria: A, C, D
• Period of Significance: 1808-1921

Landscape Links

• Cultural Landscape Inventory park report
• National Register of Historic Places: Fort Washington :
• Library of Congress: Prints and Photographs
• More about NPS Cultural Landscapes

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Fort Washington Park

Last updated: October 7, 2021

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Location: Fort Washington Established: 1953

What is now Fort Washington State Park was the site of the Whitemarsh Encampment of 1777. The Continental Army encamped here after the Battle of Germantown, from November 11 to December 11, before moving camp to Valley Forge.

History 

Following its defeat at the Battle of Germantown, the Continental Army camped at several different sites before choosing a more permanent, strategic location in Whitemarsh Township. 

More than 12,000 soldiers arrived to set up camp on November 11, 1777. The high ground where George Washington made his camp was easily defendable against British attacks. A handful of skirmished occurred in early December, but the American's superior position dissuaded the British from a large-scale attack. 

After a month in Whitemarsh, Washington abandoned the camp and moved toward Valley Forge, a similarly defendable position where the troops could build more suitable quarters and better defend the precious iron forges along the Schuylkill River. 

Very little remains from the encampment in what is now Fort Washington State Park. Fort Hill was at the western end of the positions and the site of the namesake fort, though all traces are lost. Militia Hill was the position of the Pennsylvania militia during the encampment. The Clifton House, a former tavern located within the park boundary, now houses a museum and library. 

Hope Lodge, a historic home adjacent to the park, is open for tours on select days throughout the year. 

Fort Washington State Park includes 3.5 miles of trails rated "more difficult." The longest of the trails is the Green Ribbon Trail, a 2.5-mile tract that connects Militia Hill to the Flourtown Day Use area. The trail also extends out of the park, connecting with Fairmount Park's Forbidden Drive in Chestnut Hill. The trails are also a favorite spot for cross-country skiing in winter.

Trout fishing is a big draw during the spring when Wissahickon Creek is fully stocked. Carp, catfish, panfish and suckers are popular targets during the summer months.  Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission  laws apply. 

The Militia Hill Day Use Area is home to a nine-hole disc golf course. The 10-year-old course is heavily wooded, providing a challenging round. 

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The Bureau of Engraving and Printing welcomes visitors to the Tour and Visitor Centers in Washington, DC and Fort Worth, Texas.

Shop Online

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is resuming the Public Sales Program on October 1, 2023. Numismatic offerings are being reintroduced in phases. Uncut Currency Sheets is the first product line to be replenished, as BEP’s core public sales product. BEP will continue to evaluate the schedule for future product offerings. Product updates will be communicated via the product schedule on the U.S. Mint’s website.

If you can't make it to DC or Fort Worth, be sure to shop online for uncut currency sheets and specialty products!  Browse our selection of unique products that make gift-giving easy or to add to your own money collection.

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Fort Washington/Maryland

Michael Trevis

Michael has a BA in History & American Studies and an MSc in American History from the University of Edinburgh. He comes from a proud military family and has spent most of his career as an educator in the Middle East and Asia. His passion is travel, and he seizes any opportunity to share his experiences in the most immersive way possible, whether at sea or on the land.

Part of our in-depth series exploring the forts of Northern Early America

Picture courtesy of Phil Payette at American Forts Network .

Fort washington 13551 fort washington road fort washington, md 20744 phone: 301-763-4600.

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 to our Nation's Capital. The old fort is one of the few U.S. seacoast fortifications still in its original form.

When ocean-going warships had wood sides and carried smoothbore cannons, no enemy would attempt to ascend the river before destroying the fort. But changing technology made the fort useless. Our government built concrete emplacements to meet the threat of iron-sided ships and rifled guns. When they became obsolete the post was turned over to the infantry and finally became a military training facility. Over 200 years of army presence has left the park with a diverse group of military structures and a rich history of service to our country and the Nation's Capital.

The 341 acre park offers an assortment of recreational opportunities. Picnic areas can be reserved for group activities and fishermen try their luck along the shore. There are also hiking and biking trails and a playground for children. It is not unusual to see eagles circling the river or deer feeding in the park during morning and evening twilight. You can always discover something interesting at Fort Washington Park.

Operating Hours & Seasons

Historic Fort and Visitor Center 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., daily April 1 thru September 30. 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., daily October 1 thru March 31.

Park Grounds 8:00 a.m.-Dark

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day

Getting There

From Washington DC: Capital Beltway (I-495) to Exit 3A (Indian Head Highway or MD210), continue to Fort Washington Road, turn right, follow to the park entrance.

Public Transportation

No public transportation to the park.

Communities and Related Links

Washington, dc, official tourism, nps fort washington.

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The Highlands Mansion & Gardens

The highlands mansion and gardens.

7001 Sheaff Lane

Fort Washington, PA 19034

215-641-2687  

[email protected]

~ Welcome to The Highlands Mansion ~

The Highlands Mansion and Gardens is a 59-acre historic site with a late 18th-century Georgian mansion and a two-acre formal garden.

Surrounded by massive stone walls, the gardens offer a beautiful example of early 20th-century estate gardening with an unusual blend of horticulture and architecture.

The site features nine outbuildings, including a bank barn, springhouse, greenhouse, smokehouse, and Gothic Revival gardener's cottage.

The Highlands Historical Society began to restore the 2-acre formal garden to its appearance c.1925 - 1935 in October 2001, with a project at the screening wall on the east side of the garden. 

Welcome to the Highlands,

Dana Dorsey, Executive Director

215-641-2687

Enjoy our gardens and grounds from dawn to dusk daily.

Historic tours of the mansion are available by appointment only.  

Quick Links

WEDDINGS AT THE MANSION

  The Highlands offers a unique setting for your special day. Completed in 1796, the mansion features fifteen foot ceilings and bright spacious rooms in addition to a 2 acre formal garden and the ambiance of the surrounding estate.  

VISITING THE GROUNDS

   The gardens are  free to walk from dawn to dusk every day. All professional photography requires a permit and fee prior to your visit. Please see the Visiting The Highlands page for further detail.

The Highlands Mansion is available for historic tours Monday through Thursday by appointment.

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Last updated: August 2, 2017

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Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail c/o Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park 142 W. Potomac St. Williamsport, MD 21795

301-739-4200 This phone will reach the main line for the C&O Canal National Historical Park.

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