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The Officer's Quarters and Soldier's Barracks underwent extensive restoration work in 2010 and 2011. As part of the interior restoration, eight hanging Argand fixtures and two solar wall sconces were installed in the Officer's Quarters and eight of the solar wall sconces were installed in the Soldier's Barracks. These fixtures would be appropriate for use in the time period when the Fort underwent remodeling in the 1840's. Fort Washington has a long and interesting history. It is located on the outskirts of the town of Fort Washington, MD - approximately ten miles south of Washington DC on the eastern shore of the Potomac River. It was first constructed in 1809 as the primary river defense for the nation's capitol. It was destroyed by its own garrison in 1814 to prevent the English from capturing it during the War of 1812. Rebuilding efforts were finished in 1824, it underwent extensive remodeling in the 1840's, and guns were finally mounted in 1846. Around 1872 the garrison was removed and the post was abandoned for the next twenty years. Funds for a new defense system were authorized in 1886; work began on the Fort in 1891 and the guns were mounted in 1896. In the early 1900's the large guns were removed and Fort Washington was downgraded to usage for harbor defense. During World War I the post was used as a staging area for troops being sent to France. It was abandoned in 1939 and turned over to the Director of Public Buildings however, before the transfer could be completed, Fort Washington was returned to the army for use as the Adjutant General's School during World War II. After the war, the post was managed by the Veterans Administration and in 1946 it was returned to the Department of the Interior. |
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