Fort Delaware State Park Opens May 4

Fort Delaware State Park Opens May 4

DELAWARE CITY (May 2, 2013) – Fort Delaware State Park once again opens its doors to the public on Saturday, May 4. The fort will be open Saturdays in May, weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, and Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from June 12 through Labor Day. Daily schedules are available at the park office or by calling 302-834-7941.

The very popular Victorian Kids Fest, sponsored by the Fort Delaware Society, is scheduled for June 9. P.O.W. Weekends return to the fort’s line-up this year and are scheduled for June 8 and 9, featuring “The Role of Immigrants in the War,” and Aug. 17 and 18, featuring “Music of the Civil War.” River boat cruises for groups of 40 or more have been added as well, with two evening dinner cruises on Sept. 7 and 21. Overnight camping adventures are offered for scout groups.

Travel to the fort is via ferry from either Delaware City or Barber’s Basin in Salem, New Jersey. The first Delaware City ferry departure to the fort is at 10:45 a.m. This year’s schedule includes two dockings a day at Barber’s Basin, on weekends and holidays when the fort is open, leaving Barber’s Basin at 9:30 a.m. for Fort Delaware and Delaware City, and returning at 3 p.m. Due to severe storm damage to the pier facility at Fort Mott, NJ, there are no ferries available from that site in 2013.

Following the ferry ride and a walk down the Pea Patch Island dock, a tram takes visitors to the fort. Drinks and snacks are available both in the park’s mainland gift shop and on the island, and visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch.

The ferry ticket includes admission to all regularly-scheduled daily programs. Premium and Hands-On Programs are also available, for an additional fee of $5. Tickets for these small-group programs are sold on a first-come, first-served basis in the Visitors’ Center on the island on the day of the program and sell out quickly. Groups of 20 or more should contact the park office to schedule special programs and tours.

Ferry tickets may be purchased in person at the parks’ ticket office, located at 45 Clinton Street in Delaware City, or reserved in advance by calling our reservation center at 877-987-2757 or online at www.destateparks.com. The ferry schedule and a complete listing of all current Fort Delaware programs are available on the park’s website.

Ferry ticket prices are $11 for adults, $10 for veterans, active-duty military and seniors (ages 62+), and $6 for children ages 2 to 12. Purchase of a senior, military or veterans ticket requires proper identification.