Commanded by
Captain Vincent Vaise
United States Corps of Artillery

The Fort McHenry Guard is a historical organization sponsored by the National Park Service and The Patriots of Fort McHenry. It is composed of specially recruited "Volunteers in Parks" who provide visitors with a touchstone to the past.

The Guard is trained and equipped by the National Parks Service to represent the U. S. Corps of Artillery, the Baltimore Fencible Artillery, and the U.S. Sea Fencibles during the Battle of Baltimore in the summer of 1814. The Guard provides early 19th century military demonstrations, historical interpretation, and official ceremonies on weekends during the summer months. Volunteers also portray citizens and their everyday activities in early 19th century society in Baltimore and at Fort McHenry

As a volunteer you get:

• All equipment, uniforms, clothing and weapons. - Professional training in historic black powder weaponry.
• Professional training in living history interpretation and historical information relevant to Fort McHenry.
• The opportunity to take part in official ceremonies with the United States Navy, Army, and Marines.

Volunteers are also accepted to re-enact to roles of 19th century visitors to Fort McHenry, fort washerwomen, and 19th century merchants who sold wares in and around the Fort.

More details for enlisting as a Volunteer at Fort McHenry may be found on our Volunteer Information Page

Members of the Fort McHenry Guard are trained to:

• Discuss the importance of the Battle of Baltimore in the broader context of American history.
• Explain why the British attacked Baltimore, and more generally, the causes of the War of 1812.
• Describe the outcome of the War of 1812.
• Summarize the daily routine of an early 19th Century garrison at Fort McHenry and make reference to several common accouterments. Compare military to civilian life.
• Describe life in the Fort and Baltimore before, during, and after the Battle of Baltimore.

The program consists of garrisoning the Fort with a group of soldiers and civilians in historical uniforms and costumes.

Soldiers talk to visitors while:

• Performing typical barracks activities such as polishing brass, cleaning weapons, playing cards and checkers, cleaning the bunk area, writing correspondence, and so forth.
• Performing drill and guard mounting.
• Playing musical instruments to demonstrate field calls.
• Fatigue duties as required.

Civilian re-enactors interact with the soldiers and visiting public. They may bring food, newspapers, wares for sale and other period items to demonstrate life in and around Fort McHenry in the early 19th century.

Citizens Welcome Visitors to Early 19th Century Life and:

• Interact with soldiers and sailors at Fort McHenry.
• Demonstrate crafts and skills appropriate to the period.
• Discuss social history and customs.
• Discuss the impact of the Battle of Baltimore and the War of 1812 on daily life.

Drill and Ceremony:

During the summer months the Fort McHenry Guard conducts an exercise of arms similar to their historical counterparts. This drill is a form of interpretation which all new recruits are expected to learn. It gives a military aura to the fort and is a main component of the ceremonies and parades which the Guard performs on occasion. A degree of proficiency must be achieved not only for the integrity of the program but also for the involvement in the special events. Although drill and ceremony are important, interaction with the public is the primary role of the Guard.