Harbor Defense Museum of Fort Hamilton
Locked behind the heavy wood gates that define this military stronghold lies New York City’s only US Army museum. Built within New York’s original Fort Hamilton and overlooking the bluffs, the museum is designed for those who are fans of military artifacts, military art and weapon collections. The Harbor Defense Museum showcases the very same United States Army weapons, uniforms, small arms, cannons and accoutrements that served the soldiers stationed at the fort from the 18th century to the present. With Spring 2012 comes several fascinating exhibitions including the “Battle of Brooklyn”, “Firepower: Infantry Weapons of World War II”, and the ever-popular “In Defense of New York.” For those a little more proactive about their military history, located just a stone’s throw away from all major transit lines, this Brooklyn museum offers several demonstrations that make you feel like you are on the front line, including how to hand load a cannon, and a fully accessible library with archives of Fort Hamilton’s storied past. At the very entrance to New York City and a stable time portal to America’s past, the Harbor Defense Museum is an amazing opportunity for civilian and military enthusiasts alike.