Museum Highlights

Fort Miles Battery 519

Tour Battery 519

Tour the battery to discover what the threats were and how Fort Miles planned to defend the United States from them.

Fort Miles Artillery Park

Artillery Park Walk

Learn more about the different artillery pieces that helped protect the entrance of the Delaware Bay.

Fort Miles Weddings

Weddings and Events

Book a wedding or a special event, and celebrate “The Greatest Generation.”

About The Museum

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.
  • Fort Miles Museum and Historical Area Overview

    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.

    Fort Miles Guns

  • The Museum

    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.

  • The Great Dune Overlook Events Venue

    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

Upcoming Programs

Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1
2
3
4
5
7
8
9
10
8:00 AM - Fall Bird Walks
6:30 PM - The Launch
11
12
13
15
16
18
19
20
21
23
25
27
29
30
1
8:00 AM - Fall Bird Walks
2
3
4
5
Events on September 6, 2024
Events on September 10, 2024
Fall Bird Walks
10 Sep 24
#_TOWN
The Launch
10 Sep 24
#_TOWN
Events on September 14, 2024
Woodland Critter Hike
14 Sep 24
#_TOWN
Events on September 17, 2024
Fall Bird Walks
17 Sep 24
#_TOWN
17 Sep
17 Sep 24
#_TOWN
Events on September 18, 2024
17 Sep
17 Sep 24
#_TOWN
Events on September 19, 2024
17 Sep
17 Sep 24
#_TOWN
Events on September 20, 2024
17 Sep
17 Sep 24
#_TOWN
Events on September 21, 2024
17 Sep
17 Sep 24
#_TOWN
Events on September 22, 2024
17 Sep
17 Sep 24
#_TOWN
Events on September 23, 2024
17 Sep
17 Sep 24
#_TOWN
Events on September 24, 2024
17 Sep
17 Sep 24
#_TOWN
Fall Bird Walks
24 Sep 24
#_TOWN
Hike the Sea Hawk Trail
24 Sep 24
#_TOWN
Events on September 26, 2024
Events on September 28, 2024
Monthly Bird Walk
28 Sep 24
#_TOWN
Discover Battery 519
28 Sep 24
#_TOWN
Events on October 1, 2024
Fall Bird Walks
1 Oct 24
#_TOWN

Maps & Directions

More Maps and Downloads

Museum Hours

Fort Miles Museum

  • January 1st to Memorial Day: Fridays and Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Memorial Day to Labor Day: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Sundays 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • Labor Day to October 31st: Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • November 1st-December 31st: Fridays and Saturdays , 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
RESERVE NOW RESERVE NOW PASSES, TAGS & FEES
RESERVE NOW