Harbor Defense Museum facts for kids
| Established | 1980 |
|---|---|
| Location | Fort Hamilton, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn New York, United States |
| Visitors | 20,000/year (1995) |
The Harbor Defense Museum, sometimes called The Caponier, is a special military museum located inside Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York. It is the only military museum in New York City and one of about 70 in the United States funded by the Defense Department.
The museum is housed in a unique structure called a caponier. This building was originally designed to protect the main fort from attacks from the rear. Today, it helps tell the story of Fort Hamilton and its important role in defending New York Harbor.
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Discovering the Museum's History
The Harbor Defense Museum opened its doors in 1980. The building it occupies was once a warehouse. This helped preserve it better than other parts of the fort. In the mid-1990s, the museum and fort faced possible closure due to budget cuts. However, an agreement with the United States Army Center of Military History helped save it. The Fort Hamilton Historic Society also worked hard to keep it open.
The Caponier's Original Purpose
A caponier is a type of outwork in a fort. It is a small, strong building that protects the main fort from certain angles. The Caponier at Fort Hamilton was built to guard against attacks from behind the fort. It was always ready for battle, even having a 24-pound cannon aimed at New York Harbor. However, the fort never actually saw a battle.
Fort Hamilton's Long History
Fort Hamilton is a very old military post. It is the second-oldest continuously used federal post in the United States. Only West Point has been in use longer. Famous figures like Robert E. Lee served at Fort Hamilton in the 1840s. At that time, there was only one main Army. The fort's long history and its connection to the local community make the museum a special place.
Exploring Museum Exhibits
The Harbor Defense Museum holds many interesting items from New York's military history. These items help visitors understand the past.
Artifacts from Different Wars
The museum has relics from the American Revolutionary War. You can see old uniforms from various wars. There are also old maps of the fort and the post's original telephone switchboard.
Unique and Secret Stories
One exhibit tells the story of a secret tunnel. This tunnel connected Fort Hamilton with another base about half a mile away. The museum also displays a Confederate mine. Another interesting item is a piece of the net that protected New York Harbor from German U-boats during World War I.
The Bay Ridge Time Capsule
The museum is also the temporary home for a Bay Ridge time capsule. This time capsule was buried by the community. It was dug up earlier than planned because of construction work.
