Fort Delaware is one of Delaware’s first state parks, created in 1951. On the National Register of Historic Places, the Union fortress dates back to 1859, and once served as a prison for Confederate prisoners of war. It was originally built to protect the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia. The State of Delaware acquired the Fort from the Federal Government in 1947.From the ticket office in Delaware City, visitors take a 1/2 mile ferry ride to Pea Patch Island aboard the DRBA’s DelaFort . A jitney provides transport from the island dock to the granite and brick fortress. Here authentically clad historic interpreters begin your journey back to the summer of 1864.Fort Delaware State Park is open weekends and holidays May to September, and Wednesdays through Sundays from mid June until Labor Day. The park is closed Mondays and Tuesdays with the exception of holidays on those weekdays.Nearby Fort DuPont State Park is open all year from 8:00 am to sunset each day.The Port Penn Interpretive Center is open weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day.To ensure that the park or Interpretive Center are open on the date you plan to attend and to obtain program information, please be sure to contact the Park Office at 302-834-7941.
