Fort Monroe belongs to you

Through engaging and innovative programming and fundraising, we fund and fuel extraordinary projects that preserve Fort Monroe. Help us support the future of this treasured public landscape.

WHO WE ARE

We are the nonprofit partner of the Fort Monroe Authority dedicated to park enhancement, donor engagement, and visitor enrichment.

As the private financial partner to the Authority, we exist to ensure that the future of Fort Monroe is as bold and transformational as its past. We raise funds, launch initiatives, and activate communities to support the Fort Monroe Authority in stewarding this sacred and storied land. With a deep respect for history and a bold vision for what’s possible, we’re helping to build a place where the story of freedom can unfold in new and meaningful ways.

OUR VALUES

  • We believe the richness of Fort Monroe’s past is not just something to preserve, but a powerful resource for creativity, learning, and connection. By harnessing the full story of what this site has been, we unlock bold new possibilities for what it could be.

  • Want to deepen your connection with Fort Monroe? Whether through partnerships, or donating your talents, time, and resources, the Fort Monroe Foundation is your access point. We actively welcome your input, feedback, and passion to help shape the future of this special place.

  • By championing programs and initiatives that encourage listening and collaboration, we seek to grow Fort Monroe alongside the communities we serve.

  • Through thoughtful conservation and preservation, we safeguard the integrity of this treasured public landscape. And by protecting the land, we make it possible to continue offering impactful programs that connect people to its rich past, vibrant present, and boundless future.

Imagination

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Preservation

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Community

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Recreation

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Co-creation

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Vibrancy

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Sustainability

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Beauty

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Nature

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Imagination • Preservation • Community • Recreation • Co-creation • Vibrancy • Sustainability • Beauty • Nature •

WHAT WE DO

From cultural programs and engaging experiences, to fireworks and music festivals, the Fort Monroe Foundation is where imagination meets action. We support innovative, high-impact efforts that advance Fort Monroe’s identity as a world-class public landscape.

Our work centers around:

  • Private fundraising to support the mission of the Fort Monroe Authority

  • Creating unique community-oriented experiences

  • Conserving public land, protecting natural beauty, and preserving our rich history

  • Championing wellness, recreation, and connections

Projects & Initiatives

  • African Landing Memorial

    The African Landing Memorial honors the site where the first Africans in British North America arrived in 1619, a moment that marks both the beginning of American slavery and a foundational chapter in the nation’s history. The site will include a reverent plaza and three monumental sculptures that stand as both a site of remembrance and a call to build a more just future.

  • Youth Black Culture Fest

    This vibrant annual festival connects youth across Hampton Roads to the many voices, talents, and stories of Black culture. With music, dance, art, and community celebration at its core, the event invites new generations to connect with history through culture. It’s a powerful expression of pride, creativity, and joy on sacred ground.

  • West Bastion Preservation

    The West Bastion is one of Fort Monroe’s original fortification points, a stone sentinel that has stood watch over centuries of American history. Through this restoration effort, we are preserving its structural integrity while elevating the in-person experience for future generations. This project reflects our commitment to honoring the past while incorporating modern design.

  • The Canoe Project

    This hands-on living history program brings Indigenous maritime traditions to life through the crafting of a full-size dugout canoe using traditional techniques. Led by Native culture-bearers, the project honors the deep waterway knowledge of the region’s first peoples. It’s a living expression of resilience, restoration, and cultural continuity at the edge of the Chesapeake.

  • Music by the Bay

    Music by the Bay is a free summer concert series that brings neighbors, visitors, and families together for live music on Continental Park. Featuring local and regional bands across genres, this beloved tradition turns Fort Monroe into a weekly gathering place for relaxation and connection.

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