Virginia Division UDC

Fort Monroe

Confederate History at Fort Monroe Under Seige

As the U.S. Army prepares to decommission Fort Monroe at Hampton Roads, Va., Interpretive Solutions has been hired by the Fort Monroe Federal Area Development Authority (FM FADA) to manage the site for the Commonwealth of Virginia. At the outset, it appeared that FM FADA planned to ignore the history of the Confederacy at Fort Monroe. We protested this proposed direction and have made much progress toward our goal, but if we are to carry the day, we still need your help.

During a nine-month public process, surveys were posted on the FM FADA website asking the public for its opinion on how the story of Fort Monroe should be told. A second survey is now available on the FM FADA website. This new survey lists Jefferson Davis and R.E. Lee as a 2nd Lieutenant by name this time, an indication that our participation was acknowledged and acted upon.

To access the new survey, go to the FM FADA website (http://www.fmfada.com/). Near the bottom of the first page you will see a box titled “Interpretative Master Plan." At the bottom of this box, click on “Give us your feedback here." A page will appear that says “Themes, Stories, and Activities at Ft. Monroe #2."

There are six sections to the survey. Only Section 2 relates to Confederate History. Please answer at least Section 2, using the responses given here so that our answers will consistent and will form a block strong enough to be counted. Each section includes a box for additional personal comments.

Section 1—“Each theme at Fort Monroe supports many stories. One very rich theme is the Colonial history of Old Point Comfort. If you could pick just one story about the Colonial Period to tell, what would it be? Please provide 1st and 2nd choices.” PLEASE ANSWER THIS SECTION AS YOU PLEASE.

Section 2—“The past at Old Point Comfort/Fort Monroe is rich with significant historical figures. Which of these would you like to learn more about? Please choose three.” Please answer this section in the following manner:

1st Choice – Confederate President Jefferson Davis (1865-1867)

2nd Choice – General (then 2nd Lieutenant) Robert E. Lee (1831-1834)

3rd Choice – Do not list a third choice, as that will dilute our votes on these two Confederate heroes.

If you choose to list anyone else in the question box at the bottom of the page, please do so, but do not check any of the other names on the list as a third choice. It is important to check Confederate President Jefferson Davis as your first choice, as his history at Fort Monroe is the one most likely to be marginalized in the future due to political correctness. Because Robert E. Lee served as an officer in the U.S. Army at Fort Monroe in 1832, his place in the history of the fort is probably safer. Please check him as your Second Choice.

Section 3—“Recreation at Fort Monroe. After the Army leaves, Fort Monroe will be open to the public. What are the top three things you would like to do at Fort Monroe?” PLEASE ANSWER THIS SECTION AS YOU PLEASE. Be aware, however, that two of the choices are “Visit a Civil War era re-enactment of a day at Fort Monroe” and “Participate in a Civil War re-enactment”. As written, these choices could result in activities devoted entirely to the Union Army and/or to Contraband. If you decide to check these boxes, please include a suggestion in the box at the bottom of this page that re-enactments include events such as the Battle of Big Bethel or the Battle of the Ironclads, where Confederate participation cannot be ignored.

Section 4—“Learning Labs at Fort Monroe. If summer day camp or weekend classes were available for kids at Fort Monroe, which of these topics would you be most likely to sign your child up for?” PLEASE ANSWER THIS SECTION AS YOU PLEASE.

Section 5—“Access to the Stories. Fort Monroe has many stories to tell. How would you prefer to experience them at the Fort?” PLEASE ANSWER THIS SECTION AS YOU PLEASE.

Section 6—“Do you have any additional comments?” PLEASE ANSWER THIS SECTION AS YOU PLEASE.

Please email UDC Fort Monroe Liaison Christine Gergely at gergely@visi.net when you have completed this second survey so she can keep track of how many supporters have answered in favor of Confederate history. We must continue our high response level, so that the first survey cannot discounted as a fluke. These data can also be used in further discussions with the FM FADA. Because so many people answered the first survey, Interpretive Solutions now understands the public’s desire that Jefferson Davis’ name be specifically included in the history of the fort. These data lent us credibility in recent discussion with the Executive Director of FM FADA, who is now aware that we will be satisfied only when Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee’s names are included in an official document addressing interpretations at the fort. We must continue to let FM FADA know by our high number of on-line survey responses that we consider Confederate history an integral part of the story of Fort Monroe.