The public has a chance to tour a piece of World War Two history right here in the First State this weekend.
Delaware State Parks begins tours of Fort Miles located in Cape Henlopen State Park Saturday.
Fort Miles was part of the military’s Coastal Defense System during World War II and was the site of the surrender of German U-boat 858, the first enemy vessel to surrender in U.S. territory since the War of 1812.
According to Shawn Heacock of the Delaware State Parks system, interest in the fort and World War II history is increasing as the number of living veterans of that war dwindles
“World War two veterans are getting older, at this stage, your upper eighties to nineties, so we’re losing those veterans constantly. And we want to get their stories told and have them be able to tell their stories before they’re gone.”
The long term goal of the Fort Miles staff is to turn the site into a museum, but until they raise the necessary money, Heacock says they simply trying to raise the site’s profile.
“The big thing that I want to start pushing harder is actually getting more school groups here and getting popularity, getting the knowledge out that this site does exist and that we are capable of running educational programs for both public and schools.”
Saturday’s tours are at 10:30 am, Noon, and 1:30 pm and cost $5.
If you can’t make it to Fort Miles this weekend, a lantern light tour is available next weekend at 5:30pm.
For more information, visit the Delaware State Parks website.