Social Studies Field Trips

Fort McHenry National Monument

"The Flag is Full of Stars"
Painting by Dale Gallon
© Patriots of Fort McHenry

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC

NAME: Fort McHenry National Monument
STREET: East Fort Ave.
CITY: Baltimore STATE: MD ZIP: 21230-5393 COUNTY: Baltimore City
PHONE: 410-962-4290 FEES: Adults, $5. Under 17, free.
HOURS AND DAYS: Daily, 8 am - 4:45 pm.

TEACHER INFORMATION FOR FIELD TRIPS

GRADES: 4 UNITS: MD History
CONTACT: Susan DeWeerd PHONE: 410-962-4299, ext 243
TYPE: Historic park FEES: School groups free if fee waiver form application filled and approved prior to visit. 1 chaperone for 10 students required. Adults (17 and over), $5.00.
DAYS: M T W Th F HOURS: 8 am - 5 pm
LUNCH: Limited picnic facilities.
GROUP SIZE: Up to 100. Reservations should be made 4 weeks to 6 months prior to visit. The auditorium holds 50; if the group is larger than 50, book the auditorium for 2 consecutive film showings.
HANDICAPPED ACCESS: Yes
LENGTH OF TOUR: 1 hour, including orientation, film and ranger-guided program. .

DESCRIPTION AND RESOURCES

DESCRIPTION: This is the site of the battle in the War of 1812 which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the "Star Spangled Banner." A film entitled "The Defense of Ft. McHenry" is shown every 30 minutes in the Visitors' Center. A flag change takes place at 9:30 am and 4:20 pm. There are various special activities depending on grade level. Inquire about these and group size. A visit to the Fort is self-guided. Arrangements for film and activities (such as the flag program and the artillary program) should be made by phone 4 - 6 months in advance. Must be on time as films are shown on schedule. Fee waiver form must be properly completed.

Reservations can be made as follows: 9am - 4 pm on the first business day of each month; Mondays 11 am - 2 pm, Wednesdays 8:30 am - 11, and Fridays, 1 - 4 pm.

This trip could be combined with a visit to the nearby Star Spangled Banner Flag House.

RESOURCES

Packet, including an important safety message
Information about William Williams, an African American soldier at Fort McHenry.
A videotape "Fort McHenry" from the MCPS-produced series The Electronic School Bus is also available.
MCPS Activity Plan For This Field Trip Site
Field Trip Planning Tools
Internet Sites
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (National Park Service)
The Patriots of Fort McHenry
Description of the events surrounding Francis Scott Key's writing of "The Star Spangled Banner".

Last updated on Oct. 2, 1999
Maintained by Martin M. Creel

<Marty_Creel@fc.mcps.k12.md.us>

NAME: Fort McHenry National Monument
STREET: East Fort Ave.
CITY: Baltimore	STATE: MD	ZIP: 21230-5393	COUNTY: Baltimore City
PHONE: 410-962-4290		FEES: Adults, $5. Under 17, free.
HOURS AND DAYS: Daily, 8 am - 4:45 pm.

GRADES: 4	UNITS: MD History
CONTACT: Susan DeWeerd	PHONE: 410-962-4299, ext 243
TYPE: Historic park	FEES: School groups free if fee waiver form application filled and approved prior to visit. 1 chaperone for 10 students required. Adults (17 and over), $5.00.
DAYS: M T W Th F	HOURS: 8 am - 5 pm
LUNCH: Limited picnic facilities.
GROUP SIZE: Up to 100. Reservations should be made 4 weeks to 6 months prior to visit. The auditorium holds 50; if the group is larger than 50, book the auditorium for 2 consecutive film showings.
HANDICAPPED ACCESS: Yes
LENGTH OF TOUR: 1 hour, including orientation, film and ranger-guided program. .