THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 4, 1996 TAG: 9604040556
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 172 lines
THE FORT STANDS as one of the nation's best-preserved sites from the War of 1812.
During the Civil War, it supplied munitions to the ironclad CSS Virginia in the battle of the Monitor and Merrimack. The fort is listed on the Virginia Historic Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.
But for many city residents, Fort Norfolk is out of sight and out of mind.
Despite being just a five-minute drive from the bustle of Colley Avenue, the garrison often is vacant, alone with its memories. Some citizens don't even know the fort exists, and if they do, they still don't know its location.
``I think I've heard of it, but I don't know where it is,'' said Albert Hardy, who has lived in Norfolk's Hollywood section for 50 years. ``Is it in Ghent?''
Fort Norfolk overlooks the Elizabeth River at 810 Front St., two blocks west from the southern end of Colley Avenue. A striking reminder of America's past - slightly worn from age and lack of upkeep - the staunch gateway and pale-white buildings set against grassy ramparts make for an impressive sight. But even the fort's proprietors admit that it suffers from a lack of public awareness.
``It's close by, but it's rather remote at the same time,'' said Bill Brown, public affairs officer with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which owns the fort. ``It's hidden, and there's no traffic flow and not much signage.''
Except for several annual war re-enactment ceremonies - the Monitor and Merrimack display being the largest - and Sunday tours, not many people take advantage of the facility. Although open daily, free for anyone to walk through, it is estimated that the total number of annual visitors, including for special events, may be only 10,000.
``One of reasons the fort is so obscure is that there was never a great battle fought there,'' explained Rick Salzberg, public relations director for the Norfolk Historical Society, a non-profit group that works to preserve the city's history. ``There's nothing linked in the public's imagination with anything fiery.''
But there's a campaign to stir interest in the fort. Within the next several weeks the Corps is expected to give approval for the Historical Society to oversee restoration of the fort's officers quarters. The carpenter's shop - now home to the Historical Society's office, a visitors center and library - already has been restored. Salzberg hopes the upcoming fund-raising drive to pay for the new renovation will increase public awareness.
``Any fund-raiser usually increases publicity - it gets the word out,'' Salzberg said. ``And I think it will be easier to get people to contribute to a specific building rather than to the Historical Society itself.''
The organization plans to use a range of fund-raising activities, including the staging of a play on the fort's history, as well as book and T-shirt sales. Media announcements, the possible placement of a new Fort Norfolk sign and word-of-mouth broadcasts by all of the group's 500 members will help get the ball rolling.
But before anything really takes off, final architectural plans must be drawn up and a cost estimate rendered. The renovation of the first building totaled about $100,000, with much of the money coming from the estate of the late Fairfax Berkley, a former Historical Society president whose grandfather founded the Berkley section of Norfolk. Some funding is left from the estate, but not enough to finance the estimated $100,000-plus expense of the new renovation. The Historical Society hopes to get a capital campaign going by late spring and the renovation started before the end of the year.
To spark public interest in the meantime, the group has been hosting school tours of the fort along with special events. Presentations by nationally acclaimed historians, including a May 3 engagement featuring Pulitzer Prize winner Bernard Bailyn, are expected to bring more attention to the Historical Society and Fort Norfolk.
Another upcoming highlight is the June 22-23 re-enactment of the Battle of Craney Island. During the War of 1812 the fort's troops played a vital part in the battle, resulting in a stunning defeat of the British and a decisive victory in securing Hampton Roads.
Although the four-acre garrison never saw any actual combat, it acted as a strategic defensive position during the War of 1812 and as an important munitions manufacturing site in the Civil War. Around 1875 the fort became an ordnance depot for the Navy and was used as a storage facility at the turn of the century. The Corps moved its Norfolk headquarters to the garrison in 1923. After relocating in and out of the structure several times over some 60 years, in 1983 the Corps moved into its present offices immediately south of the fort.
But it's Fort Norfolk's more intimate history that gives it real color. After the Confederates evacuated Norfolk in 1862, the Union used the fort as a jail for prisoners of war. Graffiti on the walls of the officers' quarters tells of the prisoners' disdain for their captors: ``We have been robbed of everything in our possession by the damned guard officer,'' one inscription reads. The inmates also wrote out their menu, ``... bull meat, rotten potatoes, bull jaw.'' One sketch portrays a Union soldier with a chamber pot on his head.
Other lore includes the case of William Proctor, a chronic deserter who was executed at the fort during the War of 1812.
But perhaps the most noted tale is that of squatter Lemuel Fentress, who lived alone in the abandoned garrison in the 1840s. Discovered by an Army captain, Fentress claimed that the government should reimburse him $1,500 for ``taking care of the fort.'' It is doubted that he ever was paid.
``Fentress gave a little character to the fort,'' said Richard Sliwoski, who is on the Historical Society's board. ``He was Norfolk's first homeless person of notoriety.''
Fort Norfolk is entered through the broad archways of its main gate. Immediately inside is a small, barred opening, nicknamed the Black Hole. It was probably first a magazine and later turned into a dungeon.
Of the compound's dozen or so structures, the Navy powder magazine is arguably the most impressive. Completed in the mid-1850s, the 55- by 136-foot monolith has four-foot-thick brick walls and a vaulted ceiling supported by massive granite pillars. Another striking feature is the battery, a semicircular fortification of grassy ramparts that face the river. This is where most of the fortress' 30 cannons sat.
The Corps and Historical Society are hopeful that the capital campaign, ongoing programs and the upcoming renovations will bring more public appreciation of the old fort. They are looking for increased visitation during the spring and summer. Salzberg said the plan is to eventually renovate the entire structure and make it showpiece of the War of 1812, as well as a learning center.
``We want to return the fort to its original state and maintain it,'' Salzberg said. ``There are very few sites in the country from the period that are in such pristine condition. We also want to make it a mecca for history and education. ... We have a responsibility to keep the fort as a part of Norfolk history, a part of our past.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by CHRISTOPHER REDDICK
Fort Norfolk overlooks the Elizabeth River, two blocks west from the
southern end of Colley Avenue.
Fort Norfolk is open daily, free for anyone to walk through, but it
is estimated that the total number of annual visitors may be only
10,000.
It is hoped that a campaign to restore this building, the officers'
quarters, will stir interest in Fort Norfolk.
Graphics
FORT FACTS
Located at 810 Front St., two blocks west from the southern end
of Colley Avenue.
Originally built in 1794 by orders of the Congress to President
George Washington.
Was a key defensive garrison for Norfolk during the War of 1812.
Supplied munitions to the CSS Virginia in the Civil War battle of
the Monitor and Merrimack.
Today, the fort is one of the nation's best-preserved sites from
the War of 1812.
Is listed on the Virginia Historic Landmarks Register and the
National Register of Historic Places.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Fourth annual re-enactment of the Battle of Craney Island, June
22-23, with programs on the period's history, lifestyle, craftsmen
and culture, a county fair, food and beverages.
Fifth annual Ghosts of Fort Norfolk Halloween program, Oct. 26;
re-enactors portray and tell stories about ghosts of the fort's
inhabitants throughout the ages.
Second annual Victorian Christmas celebration, Dec. 1,
re-enactors portray a soldier's Christmas, including a meal with
period dishes and desserts, dancing and decorations.
Donations are accepted at all special events.
For more information, call Fort Norfolk at 625-1720.
ON THE COVER
The cover photo, taken by staff photographer Christopher Reddick,
shows the entrance to Fort Norfolk.
by CNB