Fort Ward
Also known as: Fort Ward Park
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Why it's listed
Fort Ward is a 35-acre historic park in Alexandria, Virginia, built around a Civil War earthen fort. The Union Army Corps of Engineers constructed it as one of 68 forts and batteries in the Defenses of Washington, guarding routes into Alexandria from the west and northwest. Enlarged in 1864 to an 818-yard perimeter with 36 gun emplacements, it was the fifth largest fort in the system and could hold about 1,200 men. The army sold off its timber and fittings in late 1865, and the idea of a permanent defense system was dropped in 1866. During the Civil War Centennial, the city restored the Northwest Bastion using archaeological and historical research, cleared the site, and opened it in 1964. The park now includes reproduction military buildings, a museum with a research library, a reconstructed ceremonial entrance gate, and recreational areas outside the historic zone.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents Fort Ward as one of the strongest links in the chain of 68 forts and batteries protecting Washington, and the fifth largest, with an 818-yard perimeter and 36 gun emplacements. It guarded the western and northwestern approaches to Alexandria from the highest elevation of any fort in the Alexandria defenses. The City of Alexandria restored the Northwest Bastion during the Civil War Centennial and operates the site as a museum.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82004538, listed August 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4301 W. Braddock Rd., Alexandria (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Alexandria |
| Listed | August 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82004538 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1861-1865 |
| Architect / builder | Union Army Corps of Engineers |
| Areas of significance | Historic - Non-Aboriginal, Military, Engineering |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned and operated by the City of Alexandria as a historic park and museum, open to the public since May 1964; the Northwest Bastion has been restored and the rest of the earthworks are largely preserved. |
| Acreage | 35 |
| Coordinates | 38.83085, -77.10226 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82004538.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5472243
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.