Then & Now

Standing as a gateway in and out of Fort McHenry’s grounds, this gate is the first contact anyone would make as they approached the complex making up Fort McHenry. Standing as a gateway in and out of Fort McHenry’s grounds, this gate is the first contact anyone would make as they approached the complex making up Fort McHenry.

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Standing as a gateway in and out of Fort McHenry’s grounds, this gate is the first contact anyone would make as they approached the complex making up Fort McHenry.
Credit: NPS

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No longer standing today, we see now how a modern front gate welcomes visitors to Fort McHenry National Monument and History Shrine.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
Seen here is a second gate of sorts, which acted similarly to the main gate yet was deeper into the now park itself. Seen here is a second gate of sorts, which acted similarly to the main gate yet was deeper into the now park itself.

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Seen here is a second gate of sorts, which acted similarly to the main gate yet was deeper into the now park itself.
Credit: NPS

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Where that second gate once stood, a road now leads visitors in their vehicles to and from the Visitor Center as they enter the park.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
A procession of nurses march in to the SallyPort of Fort McHenry, as rows of soldiers wait and watch for their turn to proceed in. A procession of nurses march in to the SallyPort of Fort McHenry, as rows of soldiers wait and watch for their turn to proceed in.

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A procession of nurses march in to the SallyPort of Fort McHenry, as rows of soldiers wait and watch for their turn to proceed in.
Credit: NPS

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Today, visitors walk that same path military personnel used while McHenry served the Army.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
Presumably during a celebration of sorts, soldiers surround and sit/stand on top of the Sallyport, Fort McHenry’s entrance and exit onto the parade ground where the flag mast stands. Presumably during a celebration of sorts, soldiers surround and sit/stand on top of the Sallyport, Fort McHenry’s entrance and exit onto the parade ground where the flag mast stands.

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Presumably during a celebration of sorts, soldiers surround and sit/stand on top of the Sallyport, Fort McHenry’s entrance and exit onto the parade ground where the flag mast stands.
Credit: NPS

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Today, that historic Sallyport still stands, where Park Rangers & Maintaince intently caretake to make sure historic structures like this do not topple, or get climbed on by visitors.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
During an incredible celebration, we see perhaps hundreds of military personnel and healthcare workers as they look on to a medal award in the very center. During an incredible celebration, we see perhaps hundreds of military personnel and healthcare workers as they look on to a medal award in the very center.

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During an incredible celebration, we see perhaps hundreds of military personnel and healthcare workers as they look on to a medal award in the very center.
Credit: NPS

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Today, that parade ground inside the Starfort is what welcomes visitors as they enter the very heart of Fort McHenry.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
As a maintenance pair works on a former military barracks inside the Fort, we see how the flag mast stands inaccurately to where it stood during the Defense of Fort McHenry. As a maintenance pair works on a former military barracks inside the Fort, we see how the flag mast stands inaccurately to where it stood during the Defense of Fort McHenry.

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As a maintenance pair works on a former military barracks inside the Fort, we see how the flag mast stands inaccurately to where it stood during the Defense of Fort McHenry.
Credit: NPS

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Today, the building still stands in its place, yet the mast has been relocated a couple dozen yards away to its historically accurate location.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
In front of a large crowd of soldiers, one presents to the other what appears to be a medal on the parade ground inside the Starfort. In front of a large crowd of soldiers, one presents to the other what appears to be a medal on the parade ground inside the Starfort.

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In front of a large crowd of soldiers, one presents to the other what appears to be a medal on the parade ground inside the Starfort.
Credit: NPS

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Today, we see some of Fort McHenry’s Living History reenactors recreate what those who once were stationed here may have seen.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
Marching in front of buildings that no longer exist, these army musicians play their tunes as they parade across the Fort’s grounds. Marching in front of buildings that no longer exist, these army musicians play their tunes as they parade across the Fort’s grounds.

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Marching in front of buildings that no longer exist, these army musicians play their tunes as they parade across the Fort’s grounds.
Credit: NPS

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In modern day, music is still played at Fort McHenry. Every summer, students try their hand at the Fort McHenry Fife & Drum camp; military music lives on through them at Fort McHenry.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
Before the creation of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, seen here are boats in the Patapsco River as George Armistead’s statue and the Rodman Cannons look out on the water. Before the creation of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, seen here are boats in the Patapsco River as George Armistead’s statue and the Rodman Cannons look out on the water.

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Before the creation of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, seen here are boats in the Patapsco River as George Armistead’s statue and the Rodman Cannons look out on the water.
Credit: NPS

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Armistead’s statue may have moved to a different part of the park, but the Rodman’s still stand looking out on the water.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
Nurses pose with the statue of Armistead, which once stood on a bastion looking out onto the Patapsco River. Nurses pose with the statue of Armistead, which once stood on a bastion looking out onto the Patapsco River.

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Nurses pose with the statue of Armistead, which once stood on a bastion looking out onto the Patapsco River.
Credit: NPS

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Where Armistead’s statue once stood, this bastion appears to visitors today as a grassy mound.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
Bricklayers in the 1900’s work under the Rodman Canons as they place a crucial pathway around sections of the Fort, which would become guiding walkways. Bricklayers in the 1900’s work under the Rodman Canons as they place a crucial pathway around sections of the Fort, which would become guiding walkways.

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Bricklayers in the 1900’s work under the Rodman Canons as they place a crucial pathway around sections of the Fort, which would become guiding walkways.
Credit: NPS

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Today, those brick pathways still exists and serve their purpose of guiding, but of visitors rather than the army as it once did.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
Civil War Era Rodman Canons, who’s range reach four miles out, appear alarmingly close to WWI hospital buildings. Civil War Era Rodman Canons, who’s range reach four miles out, appear alarmingly close to WWI hospital buildings.

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Civil War Era Rodman Canons, who’s range reach four miles out, appear alarmingly close to WWI hospital buildings.
Credit: NPS

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Today, those hospital buildings no longer exist, and those Rodman’s now have a clear aim towards the water.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
Here stand two WWI soldiers, who interestingly pose with Rodman Canons on a bastion at Fort McHenry. Here stand two WWI soldiers, who interestingly pose with Rodman Canons on a bastion at Fort McHenry.

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Here stand two WWI soldiers, who interestingly pose with Rodman Canons on a bastion at Fort McHenry.
Credit: NPS

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Ian, on of Fort McHenry’s regular reenactors, is seen in his 1812 kit posing with the same Rodman.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
A solider in 1919 sits here, with his feet resting on cannon balls used as Fort McHenry’s ammunition. A solider in 1919 sits here, with his feet resting on cannon balls used as Fort McHenry’s ammunition.

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A solider in 1919 sits here, with his feet resting on cannon balls used as Fort McHenry’s ammunition.
Credit: NPS

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One of Fort McHenry’s most knowledgeable reenactors & retired ranger, Scott Sheath, poses in 1812 kit where that WWI solider and cannon balls once were.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
Bricklayers in the early 1900’s put down brick paths which guide foot-traffic around parts of the Fort,  emulating the ever evolving state of Fort McHenry’s features throughout history. Bricklayers in the early 1900’s put down brick paths which guide foot-traffic around parts of the Fort,  emulating the ever evolving state of Fort McHenry’s features throughout history.

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Bricklayers in the early 1900’s put down brick paths which guide foot-traffic around parts of the Fort,  emulating the ever evolving state of Fort McHenry’s features throughout history.
Credit: NPS

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Today, this brick pathway still exists, serving its purpose of guiding, but of visitors rather than the army as it once did.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
Headshot of nurse, taken presumably while stationed at Fort McHenry hospital, serving the wounded and sick of WWI. Headshot of nurse, taken presumably while stationed at Fort McHenry hospital, serving the wounded and sick of WWI.

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Headshot of nurse, taken presumably while stationed at Fort McHenry hospital, serving the wounded and sick of WWI.
Credit: NPS

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Today, we see a reenactor, Cryss, celebrating the legacy of healthcare workers during Fort McHenry’s WWI years, as she wears what nurses may have worn a century ago.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
This WWI soldier, who stands inside the Starfort at Fort McHenry, is in front of what once was a barrack during the War of 1812. This WWI soldier, who stands inside the Starfort at Fort McHenry, is in front of what once was a barrack during the War of 1812.

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This WWI soldier, who stands inside the Starfort at Fort McHenry, is in front of what once was a barrack during the War of 1812.
Credit: NPS

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Today, one of Fort McHenry’s Pohanka interns, Bryn, watches over the parade ground, ready to answer any questions visitors may have as they explore Fort McHenry.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
During a celebration, temporary stands elevate attending officers and other important individuals. During a celebration, temporary stands elevate attending officers and other important individuals.

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During a celebration, temporary stands elevate attending officers and other important individuals.
Credit: NPS

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Although those wooden stands no longer exist, the surrounding buildings still do.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
Standing in front of a probable hospital building, this pair of nurses pose for a picture. Standing in front of a probable hospital building, this pair of nurses pose for a picture.

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Standing in front of a probable hospital building, this pair of nurses pose for a picture.
Credit: NPS

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In commemorating Orpheus’ Centennial, these women reenact nurse who may have worked here at Fort McHenry when it once served as a WWI hospital.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
WWI soldier in front of buildings that may have served as hospital buildings at Fort McHenry during its time as a WWI hospital. WWI soldier in front of buildings that may have served as hospital buildings at Fort McHenry during its time as a WWI hospital.

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WWI soldier in front of buildings that may have served as hospital buildings at Fort McHenry during its time as a WWI hospital.
Credit: NPS

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Buildings around & outside Fort McHenry’s walls may have changed, but this reenactor, Ian celebrates the military’s presence at the Fort as he poses in his 1812 uniform.
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

 
A woman who reclines on a Rodman Canon, while soldiers behind her horse around with a different canon. A woman who reclines on a Rodman Canon, while soldiers behind her horse around with a different canon.

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A woman who reclines on a Rodman Canon, while soldiers behind her horse around with a different canon.
Credit: NPS

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Today, we see as a visitor (the modern photographer’s twin) poses just as that woman did back in the early 1900’s
Credit: NPS/Luca Espana

Last updated: September 20, 2022

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