About Friends of Fort McHenry
Our Mission
The Friends of Fort McHenry is the recognized non-profit fundraising partner for Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.
Our mission, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), is to support the development and implementation of educational programming and living history activities, and the creation of interpretive exhibits and visitor facilities that best engender the widest possible understanding and appreciation of Fort McHenry and the enduring legacy and promise of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” our National Anthem.
The Friends achieve this mission through generous support provided by individuals, businesses and foundations who value our heritage and the impact that history can have upon our young people.
Our Founding
Founded in 1984, The Friends of Fort McHenry, a program of Living Classrooms Foundation, are the primary advocates for Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine. Through fundraising initiatives like the one that constructed the state-of-the-art Visitor Center and outreach efforts with local, state, and national leaders, the Friends work to ensure the widest possible appreciation of Fort McHenry’s enduring legacy and the fort’s survival as an “historic shrine” for future generations of Americans.
As the birthplace of our national anthem, Fort McHenry’s significance as a national park is well known. The Friends, along with the National Park Service’s “Every Kid Outdoors” Initiative, focuses much of their efforts on ensuring schoolchildren in the City of Baltimore, Maryland, and across our nation appreciate “The Star-Spangled Banner” as well as Fort McHenry’s significance in its creation and our nation’s history.
From 2012-2014, the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 broadened the reach
of Fort McHenry and the story of the Star Spangled Banner.
Learn more about the Bicentennial celebration and commemoration from 2012-2014 here:
Annually, Friends of Fort McHenry present the Francis Scott Key Award to an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to the preservation and/or public appreciation of Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine. Learn more about the Key Award below.
Our Advisory Board
Dave Arndt
Jeffery Buchheit
David Carrodine
Meghan McCorkell
William Pencek
George Rich
Damon Roach
Emeritus Council
Senator Benjamin L. Cardin
Delegate Brian McHale
Governor Martin O'Malley
The Honorable Paul Sarbanes
Chrissy Schifkovitz
Hugh Sisson
BGEN Warner Sumpter
Sonja Thorsvik
Brian White
Craig Vay
