Keeping Fort Hamilton’s Historic Harbor Defense Museum Open: US Army Decision

Malliotakis Applauds Decision to Keep Historic Harbor Defense Museum at Fort Hamilton Open

 

Editor’s note: Rep. Malliotakis recently secured a $42.7 Million grant for Fort Wadsworth in order to help improve their operations. At 92nd Street in Brooklyn, Senator Scarcella-Spanton unveiled a new Fort Hamilton Veterans Memorial Highway sign.   And the borough president recently celebrated the food drive for the food pantry there that resulted in fully stocked shelves.  In the coming weeks, we will also be reporting on the renovation of the food pantry at Stapleton Corps Salvation Army on the island, to provide greater choice and flexibility for residents served by their charity.  You can learn about their sit-down meal program at the same location, introduced last year, that has been getting residents together to share food and conversation since then. 

(BROOKLYN, NY) — Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis released the following statement following the U.S. Army’s announcement that Brooklyn’s Harbor Defense Museum at Fort Hamilton Army Garrison will remain open.

“After previously calling on the U.S. Army to reconsider its decision last year, we are pleased that Brooklyn’s Harbor Defense Museum at Fort Hamilton will remain open. In our nation’s 250th anniversary year, it is especially important that our community has the opportunity to learn about Fort Hamilton’s role as New York City’s only active military installation and the role it has played throughout our nation’s history as a strategic location protecting New York Harbor.

With the museum remaining open, visitors of all ages will continue to benefit from the important educational resources it provides. We look forward to continuing to work with the Army to preserve these artifacts so future generations can learn about and appreciate our rich military history and the significance of this historic fort in Brooklyn.”

 

In September 2025, Congresswoman Malliotakis called on the U.S. Army to reconsider its decision to close the museum

 

The following is from the US Army Center of Military History’s website about the location:

About the Harbor Defense Museum

The mission of the Harbor Defense Museum of New York City is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret historically significant material related to the history of Fort Hamilton and the seacoast defense in New York. The museum is located in part of the garrison’s original masonry fort that is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As the only Army Museum in New York City, the Harbor Defense Museum has a fine collection of military artifacts from the American Revolution to World War II. The museum is free, open to the general public and welcomes tour groups of all kinds.

Fort Hamilton

Built between 1825 and 1831, Fort Hamilton became part of a system of fortifications built throughout New York City. The fort is named in honor of Alexander Hamilton. Fort Hamilton had two missions. The first was to support actions against enemy warships seeking to pass through the Narrows, the primary entrance into New York City’s harbor. Its second was to defend itself and the other Narrows forts against land based infantry attacks. Its dry ditch was a carefully conceived kill zone. The caponier was a flank battery designed to protect the rear of Fort Hamilton from an infantry led attack. Today the museum is located in the caponier, a rare structure in military architecture.

 

Banner Image: Harbor Defense Museum at Fort Hamilton Army Garrison   Image Credit – US Army Center of Military History