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Fort Monroe Casemate Museum

Fort Monroe Casemate Museum

Completed in 1834 and named in honor of President Monroe, the entire stone fort is a historic site, but most visitors head straight for the Casemate Museum in the outer walls.

This active military installation was famed during the Civil War as the "Freedom Fort" by blacks escaping from slavery. General Benjamin Butler, refusing to return runaway slaves, kept them as "Contrabands" of war, assuring their freedom.

In addition, Confederate President Jefferson Davis' prison cell is located inside the museum.

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