HISTORIC FORT WAYNE OPENS FOR THE SEASON WITH A WORLD WAR II AND VIETNAM ERA RE-ENACTMENT WEEKEND MAY3-4
DETROIT -- Historic Fort Wayne opens for the season Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4 at 6325 W. Jefferson (at the foot of Livernois) with a World War II and Vietnam Era re-enactment weekend. The hours for the event are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The re-enactment weekend is presented by the Historic Fort Wayne Coalition.
Historic Fort Wayne supported "the Greatest Generation" during World War II as part of the "Arsenal of Democracy" The Fort complex served as an induction center for troops fighting in World War II between 1941 and 1945 and Vietnam between 1961 and 1971.
During the weekend, visitors can meet veterans of both conflicts and hear them recount stories from their military service. You can also see equipment and vehicles that were so important to the war effort, visit World War II-era camps of both Allied and German soldiers and stop by a USO Cantina. In addition, there will be re-enactments of both World War II and Vietnam battles. Finally, you can view a "Home Front Exhibit," featuring historic collections from both the Detroit Historical Society and private collectors.
Secured parking is $5 per vehicle. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children under 14. Guided tours of the Historic Fort Wayne complex will also be offered each day priced at $5 for adults and free for children under 12. The guided tours will include the Star Fort and barracks built in the 1840s, as well as the Spanish-American War Guard House.
The Fort's regular hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday each weekend now through Sunday, October 26. For more information on special events and activities at Historic Fort Wayne during 2014, visit www.historicfortwaynecoalition.com.
The Historic Fort Wayne Coalition is dedicated to preserving the history of Michigan men and women who served their country between 1845 and 1973 who either sent material to or personally passed through Historic Fort Wayne as a place of induction to United States military service. We are busy helping the Fort's caretakers, the City of Detroit Recreation Department with this effort in two major ways. First, we present high quality events that provide ways for the public to enjoy Historic Fort Wayne and see glimpses of how it would have looked when it was garrisoned. We are also very busy preserving and restoring as much of the structures and facilities as possible on the Fort grounds.
