Fort Boykin has been a part of American history since 1623 when a fort known as the Castle was constructed to protect the Jamestown colonists from Native Americans and raiding Spaniards. Atop a bluff overlooking the James River, the sites commanding view makes it a keen observation point. Today, Fort Boykin remains essentially intact and constitutes a well-preserved example of military architecture of the Civil War era. Fort Boykin is on the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail, and it is home to the commonwealth's second oldest black walnut tree. This tree, over 200 years old, has been named to the Remarkable Trees of Virginia Project. The fort is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Virginia Landmarks Register, Virginia Civil War Trails, Captain John Smiths Trail and the Star-Spangled Banner Geotrail and the Cornell eBird System.

Free guided walking tours of Fort Boykin are offered throughout the year. Go to: HistoricIsleofWight.com or the events page of this website for dates and times, or contact the Visitor Center to arrange a custom guided tour.

PODCAST VIDEO:Interview with Jennifer England, Director of the Isle of Wight County Museum on Historic Fort Boykin Park