Fort Lee Historic Park
Information on this page current as of July 22, 2010
Park grounds open 8 am to dusk, Visitor Center open Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–4:45 pm.
Click to check current hours of operation (posted on our home page).201 461-1776
On a cliff-top bluff where the Continental Army positioned its batteries over the Hudson in 1776, the grounds of the 33-acre Historic Park blend scenic beauty and history.
Park Grounds
Visitor Center
Programs
“Fort Lee” (historical background)
Rules
StaffPark Grounds
At the north end of the Park, two overlooks command spectacular views of the George Washington Bridge, the Hudson River, and the skyline of upper Manhattan. (Restrooms and a drinking fountain are available in season.)
In the southern portion of the Historic Park, winding paths lead past a reconstructed blockhouse to gun batteries and firing steps. Opposite the barbette battery, authentically recreated eighteenth-century soldiers’ and officers’ huts, with a well, woodshed, and baking oven, serve as the focal point for interpretive programs.
Park grounds are open 8 am to dusk. A parking fee is charged in season.
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is at the heart of the Historic Park, providing information on the role of Fort Lee in the American Revolution. Two floors of displays present the story of how General Washington was forced to evacuate the area in November 1776 and lead his famous “Retreat to Victory” across New Jersey.
Construction of the 11,000 square-foot building began in 1974 and was completed for the American Bicentennial celebration in 1976. In addition to its historical features, the facility contains a 150-seat auditorium, a gift shop, restrooms, drinking fountain, public phone, and information desk. The main floor is barrier-free.
The Visitor Center is open Wednesday–Sunday, 10 am–4:45 pm.
School Year. From September through December and March through June, schoolchildren studying the American Revolution can visit Fort Lee to experience life as recruits in an eighteenth-century army. This five-hour “living history” program combines discussion, demonstration, and participation to give students a complete lesson in Colonial life. A fee is charged and reservations are required; click here for more details, or stop by the information desk at the Visitor Center, or call 201 461-1776.
Weekends and Summers. Weather and staff time permitting, visitors may see the past come to life at the southern end of the Park, where staff and volunteers interpret eighteenth-century ways.
Special Events. Throughout the year, the Historic Park serves as a site for cultural, historical, and recreational programs.
Historical re-enactments held at Fort Lee Historic Park:
“The Times that Try Men’s Souls”
Held annually on the weekend that falls closest to Nov. 20
“Fort Lee” (historical background)
Fort Lee found its place in American history during the 1776 British campaign to control New York City and the Hudson River.
Having resisted the British siege of Boston, George Washington turned his attention to the defense of New York City and the Hudson River Valley. Besides constructing fortifications at New York and Long Island, Washington felt it imperative for the army to build and strengthen its defenses along the Hudson River.
The British plan, meanwhile, was to control the length of the Hudson with the overwhelming dominance of its Royal Navy. This plan, if successful, would split the Colonies in half–bringing an early end to the American rebellion.
In July 1776, the Americans began fortifying this site, which they first named “Fort Constitution.” (They later changed the name to “Fort Lee,” to honor General Charles Lee, whose army had achieved a major victory at Charleston, South Carolina, that summer.) On the high ground of northern Manhattan opposite Fort Lee, work had already begun on another fort, named Fort Washington. On July 12, Admiral Richard Howe sent two British ships, the Rose and the Phoenix, up the Hudson. Cannon fire from Fort Washington had little effect on their passage; Washington ordered work on Fort Lee to proceed as quickly as possible.
At General Israel Putnam’s suggestion, obstructions were sunk in the river channel between the forts. With these in place, and artillery fire from the twin forts, the Americans believed that no British ships would be able to sail past without sustaining severe losses.
By the close of the summer of 1776, King George III had sent to New York’s harbor the largest force of British ships and troops ever to leave England’s shores. By mid-August, Sir William Howe, British Commander-in-Chief (and brother to Admiral Howe), had assembled an army of over 31,000 British and Hessian troops on Staten Island.
On August 22, the British landed on Long Island and five days later forced the Americans to retreat to New York City (at the time, the city comprised only the southern tip of Manhattan Island). In September, the British took New York City and the rest of Manhattan—except for Fort Washington.
On November 16, Fort Washington fell to an overwhelming assault by Crown forces, who captured more than 3,000 American troops.
Washington realized that with the loss of Fort Washington, Fort Lee was of little military value. He ordered General Nathanael Greene, the commander at Fort Lee, to begin preparations to evacuate the fort. An orderly withdrawal, however, was not in store for the Americans…
On November 20, just four days after taking Fort Washington, General Howe ordered General Charles Cornwallis to convey 5,000 men across the Hudson several miles north of Fort Lee. When word of the advancing army reached Washington, he ordered an immediate retreat, before the Fort Lee troops could be cut off and captured by the British force. Most of the American supplies and artillery had to be left behind. These were indeed among the darkest days for the cause of American liberty, leading Thomas Paine to pen his famous words,
“These are the times that try men’s souls…”
For more on the Invasion of New Jersey, see “On His Lordship’s Mysterious Ascent.”
•To protect our exhibits and displays… Food, drinks, and smoking are not allowed in the building.
•To protect the natural beauty of the park… Trash must be placed in the proper receptacles. Do not pick flowers. Fires of any kind are prohibited.
•To insure the health and safety of our visitors… Alcohol is prohibited in the park. Pets are prohibited in the park. Bicycles are not permitted beyond the parking area. Climbing on trees is prohibited.
•To preserve the dignity of the historic section… Climbing on gun batteries is prohibited. Picnicking is permitted only at the north end of the park. Ball playing, kites, and the like are not permitted.
•To avoid confusion… Groups and buses are permitted by reservation only.
Fort Lee Historic Park
Hudson Terrace, Fort Lee
Tel: 201 461-1776
John Muller
Director
Email address: jmuller*Kathy Barr
Historical interpreterEugenia Despotakis
Historical interpreter
Email address: edespotakis**Staff email addresses (when available) = first initial + last name (no spaces, no periods) “at” njpalisades.org.
2010 Area Information & Fee Schedule (.pdf file, 4 pages)
