About Fort Delaware
Fort Delaware fills much of Pea Patch Island, a low patch of land isolated in the Delaware River. Its thick granite walls, arched passages, gun positions, and damp interior create the feeling of a fortress separated from ordinary life. Visitors reach it by ferry, watching the many-sided stronghold grow larger as the boat approaches the island.
The present fort was completed during the nineteenth century to protect Wilmington and Philadelphia from attack by water. Its position allowed heavy guns to control traffic moving along the river. During the Civil War, the complex became a prison camp that held thousands of Confederate prisoners, adding a difficult human history to the military engineering.
Today, costumed interpreters, workshops, cannon demonstrations, and restored rooms help explain daily life within the fort. The island also contains wetlands used by large colonies of herons, egrets, and ibises. The combination of fortress, prison, ferry destination, and bird habitat makes Pea Patch Island unusually layered.
Fort Delaware operates seasonally and can only be reached through scheduled ferry service. Tickets generally begin at the dock in Delaware City. Weather, river conditions, and special programs can affect access, so visitors should consult Delaware State Parks before arriving.