4 Center Place, Dundalk, MD 21222 410.284.2331
DUNDALK-pATAPSCO nECK
HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM, Inc.
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takes about 100 volunteers to fold the 43-foot flag. The flag-folding generally is followed by the sounds of cannons bombarding the area.
There are plenty of other demonstrations including blacksmiths and magicians, by volunteers in period costumes, while opening ceremonies will feature local dignitaries.
Always Free
The Defender’s Day celebration, as always, will be free to the public. This family event also features plenty of free parking and shuttle bus service for veterans at the nearby Fort Howard VA facility. Families are welcomed to bring their own lunch, however there will be vendors selling a variety of foods and non-alcoholic drinks.
And, how is all of this made possible at no cost to attendees?
As Rose noted, there are plenty of partnering organizations supporting the event. Major funding is provided by a grant from the Star-Spangled Banner 200 Partnership, with matching funds from the Dundalk-Patapsco Neck Historical Society.
The Baltimore County Office of Tourism also has offered huge support with a complete promotion campaign, including 16 commercials on local TV, articles in regional magazines, newspapers and on the web. The Irish Museum, Maryland Historical Society and other museums also are offering their support. And, let’s not forget the many volunteers who work with real devotion to make Defender’s Day one of the most complete and historically accurate festivals in the U.S.
Remember - During Battle Re-Enactments
- Please do not bring pets to the celebration. Extremely loud noises associated with battle re-enactments will frighten and distress animals and may put other participants at risk.
- The battlefield area in the shore front below Battery Harris will be cordoned off with bright tape for your safety and to assure that all visitors enjoy the battle re-enactments without delays or interruptions. Only Military Living History groups and event officials are allowed inside the roped-off "battlefield" area.
- Musket and artillery fire at this event use 'blank' black powder charges. There can be large clouds of real black powder smoke, especially if there is little wind. The smoke can have a sulphurous smell. Expect loud noise and smoke.
Defender’s Day Continues a Local Tradition
Free Celebration Set for 2021 in Fort Howard
If you’ve ever attended the annual Defender’s Day celebration in Fort Howard, you certainly have seen the pride and commitment displayed by everyone associated with honoring the Battle of North Point. And, no wonder. The successful defense of Baltimore by local militia against the British in 1814 was a turning point in American history. “Three weeks earlier, the British had taken Washington DC and burned most of it,” said
Rose Benton of the
Dundalk-Patapsco Neck
Historical Society. Local
American forces were a
last stand against the
Redcoats, turning them
back, killing their commander and demoralizing the invading force. Just days later the British bombarded Fort McHenry and again failed, inspiring Francis Scott Key to immortalize the battle with by writing the Star-Spangled Banner.
Jean – like many of the volunteers at the Historical Society – has a deep knowledge of the campaign, and is among the many local volunteers organizing the Defender’s Day activities. That committee consists of 12 or 13 people meeting on a regular basis and it’s apparent organization is a major key to success. “We have plenty of partners, including the State of Maryland, the Baltimore County Office of Tourism, and numerous museums,”. And that doesn’t include the dozens of committed volunteers organizing and manning each day’s events.
Expanded Edition
There will be plenty of activity over the weekend at Fort
Howard Park, highlighted by about 90 re-enactors who
will do battle twice on Sunday. “We’re expecting a number of other museums to join us with exhibits and demonstrations along the walkway,” noted Harry. The Maryland Fire Museum will supply an 1812 hand-drawn pumper used to fight fires during that period. Kids will have a chance to pump water into fire hoses to see how it actually worked. Meanwhile, attendees will get a glimpse of military life at encampments set up by British and American forces over the two days. Demonstrations will include spinning, dyeing, musketry and other arts.
Living History
“We’ll have several very special features of living history,”.
The play Never Prod A Hornet, based on Esther Wingert
Bennett’s book of the same name,has been performed during the weekend and depict the lives of North Point families leading up to, during and following the battle. There also have ben several performances of the music of the War of 1812 performed by nationally known musician David Hildebrand of the Colonial Music Institute. Coupled with that, the Fort McHenry militia and its fife and drum corps have appeared for years.Usually culminating each day is the folding of a replica of an 1812 flag. Audience members are asked to participate in the ceremony, since it defender's day schedule
Sunday, August 29, 2021
Proposed Schedule
Sunday
10 am - Gates open.
10:15 am - MUSEUM AND CRAFTS DEMONSTRATIONS (ongoing) Lower Walkway
Children’s games ongoing, various 1812 era displays of trades, skills & games,
1812 Fire Apparatus, by the Fire Museum of MD.
10:30 am - Music & craft demos, with children's games.
11 am - WALKING TOURS OF FORT HOWARD (ongoing) - Upper Walkway with Ray Scott
11 am - WOMEN’S VOICES The Sky’s the Limit Players - Stage
12 Noon - OPENING CEREMONY Assembly of the troops, - Battery Harris
Officials welcome, Singing of the National Anthem, Katrina Jones, MD DOT Port Authority Dedication of Restored Cannons – MD Nat. Guard
12 pm - FIFE & DRUM PROGRAM - Ft. McHenry Guard. - Battlefield
12:30 pm - DAVID HILDEBRAND – period music - Stage
1:00 pm - Battle of North Point re-enactment. - Battlefield.
1:30 pm - TROOPS ASSEMBLE - for lowering of the American Flag, - Battery Harris
Folding of the flag ceremony by Osprey Composit & Battlefield
Squadron, Civil Air Patrol
Raising of the British flag & singing of “God Save The King” signifying the occupation of the Patapsco Neck by British Troops
2 pm - WOMEN’S VOICES –The Sky’s The Limit Players - Stage
2 pm - Music of 1812 by David Hildebrand.
3 pm - JUNIOR MILITIA INDUCTION & DRILL - American Camp
Boys & girls, 8 years & older with Lt. Nebel
4 pm - Battle of North Point re-enactment. - Battlefield
4:30 pm - TROOPS ASSEMBLE - for final flag ceremony.- Battery Harris
British Flag is lowered. American Flag is raised. Last verse of Star Spangled Banner is sung, Dan Meyer Choir .To be followed by the folding of the American Flag .
5:00 pm - PROGRAM ENDS - Battery Harris