In Which Todd and I Visit a Historic Shrine

This afternoon, Todd and I went on a little outing . . .

 . . . to Fort McHenry, where steadfast American defenders during the war of 1812 inspired Francis Scott Key to pen "The Star-Spangled Banner."  You may notice that the sign calls the fort a "national monument and historic shrine."  Fort McHenry is the only official "historic shrine" among our country's national parks.  It's meant to be both a military monument and a place of contemplation to honor the inspiring power of music.

Consequently, on the drive into the shrine you pass a statue that looks like a Greek hero.  At first I wondered if it was supposed to be Francis Scott Key wearing a large fig leaf, but the placard informed me that it was in fact "Orpheus: Hero of Music and Poetry."  There is a statue of the much more modestly attired Key inside the visitor center.

We also saw a statue of George Armistead, the commander of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore.  The strain of defending the fort through the night in driving rain weakened his health, and he died four years later at the age of 38.  I wonder what he would have thought of his nephew Lewis Armistead, who lead part of a massive (and doomed) Confederate charge against Union troops at the battle of Gettysburg.  They've had plenty of time to talk it over--they're buried side by side in Baltimore.

Todd's favorite part of the park was the "maps" (his term) along the path leading up to the fort.  This placard shows the surviving Fort McHenry defenders at their annual reunion.  In this 1880 photo there are only 12 of them left.  That year, they agreed to make their sons and grandsons honorary members of the group.

Thanks for being my history buff sidekick, Todd.  Also, nice hat.