O Say Can You See? My Visit to Fort McHenry

baltimore.org

Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key, The Star Spangled Banner.

It was great to visit the place where these three came together!

The aerial photo above shows the pentagonal, star-shaped Fort McHenry,

built between 1799 and 1802 to safeguard the city of Baltimore, Maryland.

It was named for James McHenry, U.S. Secretary of War at the time.

First stop: the Visitor Center for its informative 10 minute film.

We've found that when touring any historic site, the film is essential 

to understanding the big picture before taking in the grounds.

It was during the War of 1812 that the British, after taking Washington,

sailed into Baltimore Harbor and unsuccessfully attempted to capture Baltimore.

Francis Scott Key was a lawyer aboard a ship in the harbor;

he had arranged the release of a prominent physician who'd been taken prisoner.

As he watched the battle, he was moved to pen a poem, "Defence of Fort McHenry."

Later renamed "The Star Spangled Banner," it became

the United States' National Anthem in 1931.

Here are some of the photos I took while exploring Fort McHenry.

I encourage you to make a visit to this historic landmark

part of your next trip to Baltimore!

The flag that flew over Fort McHenry had 15 stars and 15 stripes.

Along with the original 13 colonies, Vermont and Kentucky were represented.

On the day of my visit, high winds prevented a replica of the original flag
from being flown, so a smaller one was flying.

The flag that Francis Scott Key was elated to see flying the morning
after the Battle of Baltimore measured a proud 30 x 42 feet!
The photo below, courtesy of the Fort McHenry Facebook page,
gives us a good idea of how large that actually is!

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The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in 
Washington D.C. is the present home of the original flag.

O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Here's the Fort McHenry
 website and Facebook page.

Another of my posts:
To the Top of Baltimore's World Trade Center

To the Top of Baltimore's World Trade Center

I've been to Baltimore's Inner Harbor several times, but this time was extra special.

I met two dear childhood friends there for an overnight, a visit that was long past due.

We did tons of catching up and reminiscing, and enjoyed every minute!

Aside from the terrific girlfriend time,
a highlight of the trip was something I'd not done on past visits:

viewing the city from "The Top of the World," the 

observation level of Baltimore's World Trade Center.

Located on Pratt Street at the Inner Harbor,

it's the world's tallest pentagonal building.

How's that for some trivia?

Outside the entrance is a memorial for the Maryland victims 
of the September 11, 2001 attacks. 
Three steel beams from New York's World Trade Center,
twisted and melted into one another, reminded us of 
the devastation of that very sad day in U.S. history.

We noticed that a timeline of that day's events 
was engraved into one side of the marble platform.
It was ingeniously designed in such a way that, like a sundial,
on the 11th of September each year, the shadow of the building
touches each inscription at the time that event occurred.

The memorial continued at The Top of the World with 
a solemn tribute, including photos of the 68 Maryland victims.
The names of all of the 9/11 victims
(Twin Towers, Pentagon and Shanksville, PA)
were etched into the glass windows.

An elevator whisked us up to the 27th floor where enormous windows 
on every side provided dramatic 360 degree views!

Panoramic views of the city and beyond! Magnificent!

Along with other Baltimore landmarks, we spotted the Shot Tower.

A National Historic Landmark, it was part of a gun shot factory from 1828 to 1892.

Molten lead was dropped from the top of the tower, through a sieve,

and into cold water at the bottom, where it became round and smooth.

Fascinating, isn't it?

A birds-eye view of the historic Pratt St. Power Plant,

inhabited by Phillips Seafood, Barnes & Noble, and the Hard Rock Cafe.

Here's the National Aquarium and the historic WWII-era submarine, the USS Torsk.

Looking out across the Inner Harbor to the Chesapeake Bay.

A nice view of Federal Hill Park.

Looking down at the heart of the Inner Harbor.

Back down at sea level, here's the 1854 sloop, the USS Constellation.

Posing with the fleet of Chesapeake Bay "Chessie Monster" paddle boats.

And a shot of the World Trade Center from the other side of the harbor.

Notice that gorgeous sky. Yep, it really was that blue.

Such a beautiful, clear day to take in the Inner Harbor!

Find out more at the Top of the World website.

Another of my posts that may interest you:
O Say Can You See? My Visit to Fort McHenry

Great friends, great times!
Baltimore 2016

Baltimore Love Project

Artist Michael Owen often uses hands as part of his designs. He came up with a sketch of four hands in silhouette, spelling out the word "Love". His appreciation of the city of Baltimore led him to thoughts of giving back, and the Baltimore Love Project was born.

Those four hands, boldly communicating the spirit of love, are now spread throughout the city as huge murals. So far, 16 of the planned 20 have been painted. If you visit Baltimore, keep your eyes peeled and maybe you'll spot one. Thanks, Michael, for sharing something that can't fail to evoke warm feelings of optimism and hope: Love.

Enjoy finding out more in this video:

Visit the Baltimore Love Project Website and on Facebook.

Here's Michael's website:  Michael Owen Art.

Permission obtained from Michael Owen.