The Confederates held Fort Clinch in Fernandina Beach when the Civil War started. Union troops took it over when General Robert E. Lee ordered a withdrawal a year later. That was 146 years ago.
The fort still keeps changing hands, especially on weekends. The first full weekend of month living historians reenact the Union Garrison. Fort Clinch rings with the sound of artillery demonstrations, drills on the parade ground with soldiers and horses, medical demonstrations and daily life in the barracks, kitchen and carpentry shop.
Civil War Reenactors take over Fort Clinch
Union soldier taking a break as a student makes notes for a class field trip.
Civil War reenactors speak the language of the period, refer to Mr. Lincoln our President and share a bit about themselves. Not who they are now in the 21st century but a portrait of who they were then. What the living historians are sharing is real. They have read letters from soldiers to loved ones back home, know the names of men actually stationed here and weave their stories together.
Imagine life in a fort in the 1800s. Soldiers wore wool uniforms in blazing heat. Mosquitoes were an enemy that could not be defeated. Every day more bricks were added to the walls. You can see the colors of brick change as the walls get higher and the bricks arrived from different locations.
Gun slit on the lower level of Fort Clinch State Park
Coming up on the first weekend in December (Dec. 6 and 7) is the special Union Holiday Encampment weekend. In addition to the regular garrison demonstrations there will be a Christmas tree decorated with hand-made period decorations.
Civil War Reenactors trade places – Confederates & Union soldiers
Confederate Garrisons, also Civil War reenactors, take over the fort on different weekends but not on a regular basis. The schedule for all garrison weekends is on the Fort Clinch State Park Web site (http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortclinch/). Look under “Special Events.”
Horse drill on the parade ground at Fort Clinch State Park.
Hours for all garrison weekends are Saturday from 9-5 and Sunday from 9-12. Admission to the park is $5 per carload up to eight people plus $2 per person for Fort admission.
If you can stay overnight, consider going back to the Fort for a candlelight viewing, truly a memorable experience. Forget electricity. They didn’t have it. Civil War reenactors and park rangers recreate life in the fort by candlelight. Visitors are asked to off your cell phones and leave flash photography off, a request made to preserve the 1864 atmosphere. For more details, call (904) 277-7274.
Candlelight viewing takes place the first Saturday evening of each month except December. Times vary with sunset. Admission to candlelight viewing is $3 per person.
Fort Clinch State Park is located at the northern tip of Amelia Island. The park has two camping areas, one near the Atlantic Ocean beach and the other in a wooded area near Amelia River.
Ancient live oak trees on the road to Fort Clinch
For bikers there are 3.3 miles of paved roads meandering under ancient live oak tree.
A beach area and fishing pier get frequent use.
At the fort entrance a new Welcome Center has historic exhibits and a gift shop.
If you like to step back in time with living history and go to a park the whole family will enjoy, Fort Clinch on the first weekend of the month is the place to be.
Photos and text©2008 Lucy Beebe Tobias.
Lucy Beebe Tobias is the author of “50 Great Walks in Florida” and the Authentic Florida Expert for VISIT FLORIDA.
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