Fort Hunt, part of a national park known as the George Washington Memorial Parkway, reflects the history of Virginia and the nation. Places along the Parkway represent outstanding examples of cultural landscapes; historical, architectural, and archeological sites; and natural areas.
Preservation at Fort Hunt
The National Park Service preserves and protects the resources and related stories of Fort Hunt Park in the following ways:
1. Removing vegetation to prevent root systems from weakening the concrete structure of the gun batteries;
2. Adding steel-mesh doors to batteries to improve air circulation, prevent vandalism, and promote public safety;
3. Preserving cultural landscapes, including the tree-lined historic roadbed in front of the Mount Vernon Battery.
Battery Robinson
During the Spanish-American War, Fort Hunt worked in tandem with Fort Washington (MD) to protect Washington, D.C. from enemy attack along the Potomac River. The battery in front of you held a single gun whose fire would force ships to maneuver into the range of larger, more powerful guns. However, the guns at Fort Hunt were never fired in wartime action.
Completed: August 1902
Dimensions: 55 feet wide x 65 feet deep x 13.5 feet high
Artillery: One 5-inch rapid-fire gun
Range: 7 miles
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Be safe and help us protect our cultural heritage
· Stay on designated paths. Please watch your step. Historic surfaces are uneven and may be damp or slippery. Use handrails when climbing stairs.
· Climbing on or attempting to access restricted areas of historic structures is unsafe and may damage park resources.
· It is illegal to remove anything from Fort Hunt Park. Everything is protected so you and future generations may enjoy these historic resources.
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