What Makes Fort Washington Park Special?

I recently started work for the National Park Service. Because I have some writing experience I was asked to do a write up about three of our local parks answering the question “What makes this park special?”

I don’t know if my write ups will ever be used, but I thought it would be neat to put them up here on my blog.  The three parks I wrote about were Fort Washington Park, Oxon Hill Farm at Oxon Cove Park and Piscataway Park.

While they are not very long, I am posting each individually.

Fort Washington Park:

“I can’t believe how incredible this place is! I had no idea this was here!” are common refrains heard at Fort Washington Park. It can be quite surprising.

Driving up to the park, a visitor will first pass through miles of a suburban landscape. When they arrive, they drive through a meandering road through a park that is half forest and half field. Dotted around are a few buildings, and while interesting, at first glance do not seem all that impressive. The road terminates at the parking lot; from there the visitor sees a gray tower and a gun battery that appear to be very 20^th century. At the top of the hill is a bright Yellow Building, the park’s Visitor Center.

At this point the visitor begins to ask “Where is the fort?” As they follow the path that goes between the gray tower and the yellow building they climb to the top of the hill. As soon as they crest the hill, the fort finally comes into view. Visitors are first struck by is the sheer mass of the fortress. It is a large immovable object. The second thing a visitor will sense is the light, fresh breeze coming off the Potomac River.   It is a powerful study in contrasts.

The proud fort, standing sentinel atop the hill looking over the Potomac. It shows its age, but still holds itself with dignity and grace. Yet, it is of a bygone era and very slowly is being reclaimed by the natural world.

Many historical sites tell just one story, from one part of our nation’s history; Fort Washington Park has multiple stories to tell, through multiple generations and four centuries.

There is the 18^th Century story of the Diggs plantation that was on the land.

There is the story of the War of 1812, where the fort, then known as Fort Warburton, saw combat for its first and only time and due to circumstance was unable to rise to the occasion, and was destroyed by those defending her.

There is the story of the construction of the fort we see today in the 1820’s.

There is the story of the renovations and additions made to the fort in the 1840’s.

There is the story of Fort Washington during the Civil War, fully manned, fully supplied, but never attacked.

There is the story of the fort in the 1890’s when fort was declared obsolete, and its job was replaced by eight gun batteries and a tower.

There is the 20^th century story of the fort, which had now become an officer training base, and whose graduates served in both world wars.

Lastly, Fort Washington Park’s story itself is not done as is attested by its lighthouse.  The Fort Washington Lighthouse is modest, only 28ft tall. Yet, unlike many other historical lighthouses, the 150 year old lighthouse is still doing its job.  At night, its light turns on and helps guide boats safely through the river.

Fort Washington Park is not just one thing, and does not only represent one time. It has history and also boasts a spectacular landscape with impressive nature walks and an unparalleled view of the Potomac River, which is why George Washington himself recommended that it be the site of a fort.

Visitors will often say of Fort Washington: “This is a hidden gem of a park,” and often they add: “This won’t be my last visit.”