The flag that flies at Fort McHenry is 30*42 feet, big enough for Francis Scott Key to “see by the dawn’s early light.” The flag’s 15 stars and stripes still fly as boldly as they did that terrible night, when soldiers here stood once again to reclaim American independence. Today, the star-shaped fort looks much as it did in 1814, the year of the British attack. Its buildings, repaired in the days following that attack, still stand.
The Star-Spangled Banner is central to this fort, which is a national monument. Visitors are invited to take part in the daily changing of the flag — in fact, because the flag is so big, around 20 people are needed to keep it off the ground and to fold it. If you’d like to join in, stop by at 9:30am or 4:30pm (7:30pm June-Aug). The large flag flies only during daylight hours, but a smaller flag flies at night. The rangers conclude the flag-raising ceremony with a short historical talk about the fort, the flag, or the national anthem.Exhibits recall Baltimore under siege during the War of 1812, the fort’s Civil War service, and its use as an army hospital during World War I. Allow about 90 minutes for a visit. The fort sits on a point in the harbor, from which visitors can see the Inner Harbor, the Patapsco River, and down to the Chesapeake Bay. Visits to the park outside the fort are free, and picnicking is allowed.
The Star-Spangled Banner Weekend, held in mid-September, recalls the British attack on the fort. On select Sundays from 6 to 8pm, military bands perform with a color guard, drill teams, and the Fort McHenry Guard dressed in 19th-century uniforms, a ceremony that began in 1803. Admission to this ceremony is free; call or visit the website for a schedule.