Fort Mifflin

09/02/2026

Was Private William H. Howe Guilty or innocent?

You voted and according to your verdict William H. Howe is INNOCENT!!!

09/01/2026

Please try and vote every day - we are currently in 6th place!!! Thank you for your support!!!

Its that time again - time to vote for Fort Mifflin as the Best Haunted Destination!!! Its USA Today's 10 Best Readers Choice Award Haunted Destination Contest.

Here is the link to vote for Fort Mifflin: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/fort-mifflin-on-delaware-philadelphia-pennsylvania/

You can vote once a day, every day. Voting period ends Monday September 21st.

Please vote for us as best Haunted Destination!! Thank yo for your support

Fort Mifflin, a National Historic Landmark, was the site of a major battle in the Revolutionary War, where hundreds of soldiers on both sides lost their lives. Some believe those spirits never left the battlefield and continue to haunt the grounds to this day. Visitors can see for themselves by join...

09/01/2026

Tonight's the night, stop by and support Blue Sky Gardens at Fort Mifflin.

Have you seen the garden at Fort Mifflin? This garden is run by a non-profit called Blue Sky Gardens. Blue Sky Gardens is a 501c3 educational garden located in Philadelphia with a mission of providing nutrition and agricultural education. With an emphasis on community connection through our food and nutrition services, we are dedicated to supporting and preserving local food systems. The garden’s educational programs provide children’s groups, and people of all ages, in-depth experiences focused on local food and healthy eating. Check out their website for more info: https://blueskygardens.org/

Support Blue Sky Gardens by Coming to their Sept 1st fundraiser at Fort Mifflin.

08/31/2026

Spend the night if you dare! Actual sleep is optional during our annual overnight paranormal investigation, where you get to explore the buildings, myths and legends behind the Fort’s permanent residents. Sleeping quarters are dormitory style, or BYO tent.

Participants have access to heated and unheated buildings, including some areas not open to the general visiting public, plus outdoor areas. Share your evidence and learn about the history of the Fort with local paranormal investigation team G.Host Official around the fire pit.

Check out G.Host Official's Web site: https://ghostofficialnj.com/

The event is best for experienced investigators (18 and older ONLY) – novices are encouraged to enjoy our Open Investigation Evening.

Begins at 7:00 pm on Saturday October 24th and ends at 6:00 am on Sunday October 25th. Tickets are extremely limited and will sell out.

Get your tickets here: https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/fortmifflinonthedelaware/sleep-with-the-ghosts-1249098209

08/30/2026

08/29/2026

The Case of Private William H. Howe
In July 1863, Fort Mifflin became one of roughly 150 military prisons used by the Union and Confederacy. During the Civil War, the Fort held Confederate prisoners of war, Union army prisoners, and civilian criminal and political prisoners in the Fort's bombproof shelters (casemates). Some were also kept in Casemate 11 in a set of underground cells.

Perhaps the most famous of Fort Mifflin's Civil War prisoners was William H. Howe. Howe was a young farmer and cigar maker from Perkiomenville, Montgomery County, PA, who enlisted in the Union Army on August 8, 1862. While in the army, Howe served as a private in the 116th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment and was a veteran of the Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11-15, 1862).

Sometime after the battle, Howe fell ill with “inflammation of the bowels.” Unable to find suitable medical care, he left his regiment in late December 1862 and returned home to his wife and three children to recover from his illness.

On June 21, 1863, three enrolling officers, whose duty it was to enforce the draft and bring in army deserters, came to Howe's home in the middle of the night to arrest him. A gunfight broke out and one of the officers—Abraham Bertolet—was fatally wounded by a gunshot to the chest. Howe fled but was arrested a month later in Allentown, PA.

There were many uncertain facts related to Howe's case. Who fired first: Howe or the officers sent to arrest him? Did the officers try to break into Howe's home when they came in the middle of the night?

Was Howe simply defending his home and family? Was the murder planned by conspirators determined to kill anyone who favored the war? Were the officers drunk when they tried to apprehend him?
Did Howe fire the shots or was it the work of Mrs. Howe? Accounts differed and Howe's case became a subject of intense debate in the local newspapers.

In November 1863 Howe faced military court martial, charged with desertion and murder. On November 28, the court found him guilty on both counts and sentenced him to death by hanging. However, irregularities in how the court carried out the case caused the conviction to be set aside. A second court martial began on February 13, 1864. On March 7, 1864, Howe was convicted a second time and again and sentenced to death. The ex*****on was to take place at Fort Mifflin in the summer of 1864.

Howe was held at Fort Mifflin during his trials, and spent time in Casemate 11, the Fort's underground punishment cells, where he signed his name on one of the walls. He was also held at Eastern State Penitentiary from May to August 1864.

On August 26, 1864, Howe was brought back to Fort Mifflin and was hung on the parade grounds near the Fort's large wooden front gate at 12:07 PM. Howe's was the only known ex*****on at Fort Mifflin during the Civil War.

In a tragic postscript, on August 26, 1865, one year to the date of his ex*****on, President Andrew Johnson commuted Howe's sentence from death to imprisonment with a dishonorable discharge.

Today, Fort Mifflin commemorates the 162nd anniversary of Howe's ex*****on with a full day of events and activities devoted to Howe's case and Fort Mifflin's role as a Civil War prison. Was Howe guilty? Did the punishment fit the crime? You be the judge!

08/28/2026

Its that time again - time to vote for Fort Mifflin as the Best Haunted Destination!!! Its USA Today's 10 Best Readers Choice Award Haunted Destination Contest.

Here is the link to vote for Fort Mifflin: https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/fort-mifflin-on-delaware-philadelphia-pennsylvania/

You can vote once a day, every day. Voting period ends Monday September 21st.

Please vote for us as best Haunted Destination!! Thank you for your support!

Fort Mifflin, a National Historic Landmark, was the site of a major battle in the Revolutionary War, where hundreds of soldiers on both sides lost their lives. Some believe those spirits never left the battlefield and continue to haunt the grounds to this day. Visitors can see for themselves by join...

08/28/2026

UPDATE: the date is now booked

We have a recent opening in September. Saturday, September 26th is now available. If you have a scout troop looking to do an overnight at the fort, Or maybe you are looking to do a paranormal investigation. we now have an opening and we will offer this on a first come, first serve at 40% off our normal overnight rate. send an email to [email protected]

08/27/2026

UPDATE: The tree has been removed and the hiking trail is now fully open. Come out and explore the high Battery and what nature has to offer at Fort Mifflin.

Does anyone know of a tree company willing to come out to the fort and help? We had a tree come down during this weeks storm and its blocking the nature trail heading out to the high battery. It is just past the first clearing in front of the casemates. If you know someone or are willing to help, please send an email to [email protected]

If you want to send a donation to help, follow this link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/high-batterynature-trail-support

Thanks for your support

08/27/2026

This Saturday, August 29th is William H Howe day at the Fort. Wait, who is William H Howe? Well come to the fort and find out. We will have specific guided tours where we discuss W.H. Howe along with deciding if he is guilty or not. Intrigued? Come to the fort to find out more. Oh, and did I tell you we are doing a paranormal investigation where we will try to talk to W.H. Howe! Author Chad Towarnicki will be on site to discuss his book about W.H. Howe.

Get your advance tickets here: https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/fortmifflinonthedelaware/william-h-howe-day