Lying amidst rolling sand dunes, on a high bank overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, is the Fort Miles Museum and Historical Area. The central features of the museum include Battery 519, six barracks buildings, a fire control tower, an orientation building, and the Fort Miles Artillery Park.
With more than 2,300 soldiers stationed on high alert, the heavy guns, mine fields and searchlights of Fort Miles defended the vital trade centers of Wilmington, Philadelphia, and beyond. Huge guns, both above and underground, were designed to defend against the powerful German navy. As the Cold War began the role of Fort Miles shifted to highly classified missions, including the development of new weapons technology, and listening for Soviet submarines.
The Fort Miles Museum and Historical Area connects visitors to this history through guided tours, self-guided exhibits, special events and more.
Museum exhibits and artifacts within Battery 519, a 15,000-square-foot fortified underground bunker, bring to life Delaware’s wartime stories. The Museum’s collection provides visitors a unique opportunity to experience first-hand how technology from an earlier day was used to defend the homeland.
Current exhibits include: the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S.S. Arizona Relic, Stories of the 261st Coast Artillery, Civilian Service and the 21st Mine Planters, and the artwork of the Battery 519 Gallery.
This rental venue is available for weddings, concerts, meetings, reunions and many other types of events and gatherings. The site offers the best of both natural and cultural history, with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, miles of picturesque dunes, and breathtaking views, all in the heart of historic Fort Miles. For rental information, visit The Overlook Venue.
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
11:00 AM
Construction of Battery 519 began in 1941 under the threat of war. Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them. Recommended for ages 7+. $6 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Thursday, October 31, 2024
11:00 AM
Construction of Battery 519 began in 1941 under the threat of war. Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them. Recommended for ages 7+. $6 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Friday, November 1, 2024
11:00 AM
Construction of Battery 519 began in 1941 under the threat of war. Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them. Recommended for ages 7+. $6 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Friday, November 1, 2024
6:00 PM
In 1943 World War II was in full swing, but it was much different than anticipated. Tour Battery 519 by lantern light as we reveal U-boats on the prowl, sailors in distress and what World War II turned out to be for soldiers stationed at Fort Miles. Recommended for ages 10+. $7 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Saturday, November 2, 2024
11:00 AM
Construction of Battery 519 began in 1941 under the threat of war. Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them. Recommended for ages 7+. $6 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
1:00 PM
Bring your walking shoes as a park historian leads you across the sandy trail towards the Delaware Bay. See World War II relics, uncover the Delaware Breakwater Quarantine Station and hear tales of pirates. Tours meet at the Seaside Nature Center. Dress for the weather. Recommended for ages 7+. $5 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Thursday, November 7, 2024
1:00 PM
Enjoy a hike through the Pinelands trail while exploring some of the farther-flung elements of Fort Miles! Tours meet at the Pinelands trailhead near Fort Miles. Recommended for ages 7+. Children must be accompanied by an adult. $5 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Friday, November 8, 2024
11:00 AM
Construction of Battery 519 began in 1941 under the threat of war. Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them. Recommended for ages 7+. $6 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Friday, November 8, 2024
5:30 PM
In 1943 World War II was in full swing, but it was much different than anticipated. Tour Battery 519 by lantern light as we reveal U-boats on the prowl, sailors in distress and what World War II turned out to be for soldiers stationed at Fort Miles. Recommended for ages 10+. $7 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Saturday, November 9, 2024
11:00 AM
Construction of Battery 519 began in 1941 under the threat of war. Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them. Recommended for ages 7+. $6 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Sunday, November 10, 2024
10:00 AM
Celebrate Veterans Day with living history interpreters as they share the stories and equipment of some of Delaware's soldiers stationed at Cape Henlopen throughout history. This program is free and interpreters will be on site from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Programming is located at the Fort Miles Cantonment Area. For more information please call (302) 644-5007.
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
2:00 PM
Some history is best preserved through art! Draw inspiration from Howard Schroeder's paintings of life at Fort Miles with a tour of the Schroeder Art Gallery. Then join instructors for a Fort Miles themed paint night with landscapes ranging from the famous fire control towers to historic lighthouses. Materials are provided. For ages 13+. $30 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
1:00 PM
Enjoy a hike through the Pinelands trail while exploring some of the farther-flung elements of Fort Miles! Tours meet at the Pinelands trailhead near Fort Miles. Recommended for ages 7+. Children must be accompanied by an adult. $5 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Thursday, November 14, 2024
1:00 PM
Bring your walking shoes as a park historian leads you across the sandy trail towards the Delaware Bay. See World War II relics, uncover the Delaware Breakwater Quarantine Station and hear tales of pirates. Tours meet at the Seaside Nature Center. Dress for the weather. Recommended for ages 7+. $5 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Friday, November 15, 2024
11:00 AM
Construction of Battery 519 began in 1941 under the threat of war. Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them. Recommended for ages 7+. $6 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Friday, November 15, 2024
5:30 PM
In 1943 World War II was in full swing, but it was much different than anticipated. Tour Battery 519 by lantern light as we reveal U-boats on the prowl, sailors in distress and what World War II turned out to be for soldiers stationed at Fort Miles. Recommended for ages 10+. $7 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Saturday, November 16, 2024
11:00 AM
Construction of Battery 519 began in 1941 under the threat of war. Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them. Recommended for ages 7+. $6 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Friday, November 22, 2024
11:00 AM
Construction of Battery 519 began in 1941 under the threat of war. Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them. Recommended for ages 7+. $6 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Friday, November 22, 2024
5:30 PM
In 1943 World War II was in full swing, but it was much different than anticipated. Tour Battery 519 by lantern light as we reveal U-boats on the prowl, sailors in distress and what World War II turned out to be for soldiers stationed at Fort Miles. Recommended for ages 10+. $7 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Saturday, November 23, 2024
11:00 AM
Construction of Battery 519 began in 1941 under the threat of war. Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them. Recommended for ages 7+. $6 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
1:00 PM
Bring your walking shoes as a park historian leads you across the sandy trail towards the Delaware Bay. See World War II relics, uncover the Delaware Breakwater Quarantine Station and hear tales of pirates. Tours meet at the Seaside Nature Center. Dress for the weather. Recommended for ages 7+. $5 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Friday, November 29, 2024
11:00 AM
Construction of Battery 519 began in 1941 under the threat of war. Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them. Recommended for ages 7+. $6 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Saturday, November 30, 2024
11:00 AM
Construction of Battery 519 began in 1941 under the threat of war. Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them. Recommended for ages 7+. $6 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
Friday, September 5, 2025
11:00 AM
Construction of Battery 519 began in 1941 under the threat of war. Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them. Recommended for ages 7+. $6 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.