Defenders Day Event Marks North Point Peninsula's Role in War of 1812

Defenders Day Features Walking Tours

Take a walking tour at Fort Howard Park during Defenders Day celebrations September 7 and 8, and learn about how the area has more history than the Battle of North Point!

Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society and Museum volunteer Ray Scott will explain how Fort Howard is also historically significant for reasons other than the British landing in 1814. From 1898 until 1927, this property was an Endicott Period Coast Artillery installation that housed as many as 18 huge artillery guns purposed to protect Baltimore from attack by enemy naval vessels attempting to enter the Patapsco River.

The weapons at Fort Howard included two 12-inch disappearing rifles and eight 12-inch mortars. All of those guns could rain massive, 1,000-pound explosive shells on any spot in the Chesapeake or the Patapsco within a 10-mile radius of North Point.

Walking tours of Fort Howard's old coast artillery gun emplacements are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day. The tours will begin at the Fort Howard History tent next to Battery Stricker. 

Dundalk Historical Website Features Complete Defenders Day Info

The Dundalk Historical Society and Museum, Inc., has launched its new website – www.dundalkhistory.org – to publicize Defenders Day 2013 events, reach a wider audience and make everyone aware of just how much the Society can offer the community. Defenders Day 2013 is featured prominently on the new site. Find the complete schedule and more information atwww.dundalkhistory.org/defenders-day.html.

One of the biggest priorities of the site is to gather email addresses for a mailing list. You can register by accessing the Contact form on the Support page of the website or through the Society’s official Facebook page (don’t forget to “like” the page).

Defenders Day Isn’t Over When It’s Over

Once Defender’s Day 2013 observances end, other events will lead up to the bicentennial celebration. There will be a special event in Dundalk at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, when the U.S. Naval Academy Concert Band performs at the Dundalk Middle community auditorium on Dunmanway. Admission and parking are free.

The event is presented in partnership with the Baltimore County Office of Promotion and Tourism and the Star Spangled 200 Committee. For more information about the Defenders Day celebration, call the Historical Society at 410-284-2331, or visit www.dundalkhistory.org/defenders-day.html.

Canadians Represent the British at Defenders Day 2013

Almost 200 years after the British invaded the North Point peninsula, new arrivals will take their place in an attempt to do the same. Dozens of re-enactors from Ontario, Canada, will stand in for British forces during the 199th anniversary celebration of Defenders Day, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7 and 8, at Fort Howard Park.

This year, Defenders Day events will expand to two days in anticipation of next year’s bicentennial celebration. There will be lots of activity over the weekend at Fort Howard Park, highlighted by about 90 reenactors who will do battle twice on Saturday and once on Sunday.

“We’ve enhanced the whole event from top to bottom,” said Harry Young, who has chaired the event for the last nine years. “We’ll have three battle re-enactments, more volunteers and more sponsors than ever before.”