Fort Norfolk was commissioned by President George Washington in 1794. It is the last remaining 19 harbor front forts authorized by the president. Fort Norfolk was named as one of the best historical sites in America. Stepping through the fort’s arched entryway, transports visitors to another era. The fort’s four acre site overlooks the Elizabeth River and includes earthwork embankments, ramparts, a dungeon, officers’ quarters, powder magazine, barracks and guardhouse. Most structures that still stand today in the fort date back to 1810.

The fort was built to help protect Norfolk during the War of 1812. In the Civil War, Confederate forces seized the fort and used its magazine to supply the CSS Virginia (Merrimac) during its batter with USS Monitor. In 1862, the fort was recaptured by the Union Army and was used as a prison. Later it was an ordinance depot for the Navy. In 1923, the forth was occupied by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which still owns Fort Norfolk. The Norfolk Historical Society, who is now in charge of the fort, began making restorations to the fort in 1991.

French born John Jacob Ulrich Rivardi was appointed by Henry Knox, then Secretary of War under President Washington, to build forts to protect both Nofolk, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland. The fort was built a mile and a half below the town of Norfolk and Rivardi was instructed to place the highest priority on Norfolk as the threat from foreign attack was greater there. This threat came from the first war between the new French Republic and Great Britain. Rivardi arrived in late April, 1794 and proceeded directly to work.

Prior to this time Fort Norfolk had existed as an earthen work fort and did serve poorly in the Revolutionary war. Rivardi decided to construct the fort where the previous fort stood on the eastern shore of the Elizabeth River. Fort Nelson was rebuilt from its Revolutionary War configuration to conform to the Second System of Fortifications directly south of Fort Norfolk on the western shore of the Elizabeth River.

In 1802, Secretary of War Henry Dearborn ordered the dismounting (removal of the armament) of Fort Norfolk leaving Fort Nelson as the only defense for both Norfolk and Portsmouth. This is because the anticipated attack never took place. Fort Nelson was maintained and manned by the federal government until it's destruction in the 1850s by the Navy to make way for a hospital.

The Fort is now open to public for visiting and as a tourist attraction as well as a historical site. The Norfolk Historical Society holds reenactments of the life in Fort Norfolk during the war in 1812 for visitors. The reenactments include period camp displays, one open fire pit, with company drill and approved musket firings. There will be reenactments of soldiers and sailors in the period’s attire. Units will perform company drill, camp, daily life and weapon and artillery demonstrations. Artillery demonstration is also performed.