Casemate stands out among my favourite places due to its unique approach to opening hours. Unlike most tourist attractions, it allows for exploration before it officially opens, adding a sense of adventure to the visit.
My biggest peeve when we are touring an area is the hours of operation. Sometimes, we go to obvious and purposely designed tourist attractions and discover that they are closed on weekends or that their hours are limited. It is annoying to find that the average hours for any location are from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday to Friday.
During our trip to Virginia Beach, Casemate was a perfect fit. Despite the museum part opening later, we could start our exploration in the morning, which was a great time-saver and allowed us to make the most of our day.
Casemate, a Civil War fort, holds a strategic position overlooking a significant river mouth. Its imposing design, though it never saw any action, is a testament to its effectiveness. Once a military base, it now stands as a national historic site, preserving its rich and awe-inspiring history.
We entered through this star-shaped fortress through a narrow gateway. It is just wide enough for one vehicle to get through. Once we found a parking spot, we walked around the ground level, spotting notable features. But it was up on the wall that served the most interest. The top of the fort is relatively wide. It is filled with earth, and when it was no longer threatening enemy ships, it became a pet cemetery. Now, this activity is discouraged, but there are several pet graves with small markers to show where they rest. What was missing was all the cannons that once filled these walls. The only remains are concrete pads where they once stood. I would lose count of how many there once were on this fort. Even more impressive was just how many cannons were within the walls. It would have been impossible for any ship to make it through, which is why it was not even attempted.
Entry into the museum was a small price. Only a few examples of the cannons existed. We would learn that once a time, each gun battery was converted into an apartment. This repurposing did not last long. The most exciting feature of the Casemate Fort was that it was once held by the Confederate President, Jefferson Davis, as a prisoner after the Civil War. There were information panels about his stay here and what happened afterwards.
We’d spent a lot of time in this unique building, learning its history and features. Attached is another museum that shows the history of the surrounding area. It is small, but Casemate, the grounds, and the fortress are the main draw.
- The grounds are accessible outside the museum hours. Please be aware that many of the buildings remain as living quarters.
- To find this unique place, check out my All The Places We Have Been Map, which includes directions, website links, and other interesting places to visit nearby.
- There is ample parking, but make sure you park in the correct area.
