Safe Harbor? New York’s Coastal Defense Forts from the Revolution to Today | Episode 180

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At each of the water passages that lead to New York Harbor – from the Narrows to Hell Gate, Ambrose Channel to the Race – disused forts stand on either shore, once guarding these entrances. In this virtual program, we will explore the history of coastal fortifications in New York from the Revolutionary War to World War II, examining the different eras of fort construction and the technological advancements that drove the changes in these forts’ shape, armament, and role over time. We will also look at how these forts have been repurposed today – as parks, schools, museums, and the last active military base in New York City.

• Map of Harbor Defense Forts
• Gateway National Recreation Area
• Governors Island
• Harbor Defense Museum (Fort Hamilton)
• Maritime Industry Museum (Fort Schuyler)
• Bayside Historical Society (Fort Totten)
• Army Ground Forces Association (Fort Hancock)
• Coast Defense Study Group
• Fort Wiki
• Indicator Loop stations
• Nathaniel Philbrick’s In the Hurricane’s Eye (2018)

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