Thank You for Visiting Fort Halifax Park Online!

​This website will provide you an historical overview of the newly rediscovered Fort Halifax, its history, the 1800's farmstead, the nature park, as well as information about past, current, and upcoming activities.  Additionally, there is information about the Non-Profit Organization, Friends of Fort Halifax Park Inc., that serves as the support group for Halifax Township assisting with maintenance, development, management, and the educational, historical, and nature programing of Historic Fort Halifax Park and Preserve.

​Discover Fort Halifax

Fort Halifax, originally known as "the camp at Armstrong's", was built in 1756 with the purpose of providing safe shelter along the Susquehanna River for supply bateaux's and pack trains passing to and from Fort Hunter (Harrisburg) and Fort Augusta (Sunbury).  Due to the French and Indian War, settlers in this area regularly encountered deadly conflicts along this route. Fort Halifax was built as a solution to the problem.
Read More

​Meetings, Events, and News

Friends of Fort Halifax Park Inc. - Board Meetings

​2023 Board Meeting Dates:​​​   ​ ​

• ​June 8 @ Yeager House - 6pm
• July 13
• August 10
• ​September 14
• October 12 - Board Nominations
• November 9 - Board Elections - General Membership Meeting
• December 14

---

Board Meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of every month at 6:00pm.  Meetings may be held at any of the locations listed below.

• Yeager House at Fort Halifax Park
• the Halifax Area Historical Society Building at 3rd and Market St.
• or via phone conference (COVID-19 procedure). 

​​All members are welcome to attend meetings to offer suggestions, solutions, and share ideas.  All meetings include an "After Meeting Social" with light refreshments.  

• If you have something you would like to discuss with the FoFHP Board, please contact us via email to be part of the agenda.

• Memberships are easy, please click here.  

Thank you for your support!

Events

Current Schedule of 2023 Events: check back often for updates​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​​

• June 4-24, 2023 - Fort Halifax Rediscovery Field School Archaeology Project - click here to view the 2021 blog entries and here for current 2023 information.  Would you like to assist with meals?  We have breakfast slots still available.  Contact us here.
• June 17, 2023 - Butterflies, Birds, Bees, Bats, and Blooms - A Pollinator and Garden Faire - click here to view the current June 17, 2023 event information!
• June 20-23 - Appalachian Kayak Camp
• June 25-30 - Skilled Trades Student Encampment - FoFHP is thrilled to announce this partnership with Dauphin County Technical School (DCTS) to renovate and make repairs to park outbuildings.  DCTS students and facilitators will make repairs to the Milkhouse and the Granary floor, while the Wagonshed will receive much needed repairs and a paint refresh!
• June 26-30 - Appalchian Kayak Camp
• July 10-14 - Appalachian Kayak Camp
• July 25-28 - Appalachian Kayak Camp
• July 29, 2023 - SPAAR Rocketry event - 10am to 4pm on the eastern side of Fort Halifax Park 
• July 31- August 4 - Appalachian Kayak Camp
• August 2023 -  Date and time TBA - Recognizing Milkweed, Monarch Eggs, Caterpillars, and Butterflies - How to "Foster" Monarchs - year number 3 of this successful program, information coming soon...
• September 8-10, 2023 - Mighty River Band Concert Weekend - Information coming soon...
• September 16, 2023 - SPAAR Rocketry event - 10am to 4pm on the eastern side of Fort Halifax Park ​

​

---

Current News

Friends of Fort Halifax Park, Inc. is thrilled to announce that it will host another "Rediscovery Project" from June 4-24, 2023.  More information will be available soon...

FoFHP Plans and Goals - FoFHP is doing more outreach, history, environmental, and education programming.  This year, in addition to our May 6 Colonial Festival, in June we will host another 3 week archaeology excavation with Juniata College to find more of Fort Halifax and renovate buildings in partnership with Dauphin County Technical School.  The 5B's Pollinator and Garden Faire in June is only the beginning as we work on a new nature and wildlife program to expand and upgrade trails, meadows, and gardens.  Would you like to help?  To volunteer or become a member please contact us via email or phone 223-237-0988.  Thank you for your support!

---

Friends of Fort Halifax Park, Inc. receives Community Initiative Award:
Read about this award that FoFHP, Inc. is honored to have received here.
Thank you to the PA State Historic Preservation Office, Joe Baker, Dr. Jonathan Burns, our members, and community!

---

"Find the Fort" became "Found the Fort!​"
  Read all about it here! 

Additional News of Interest:

• Fort Halifax Park chosen as Preservation Pennsylvania - PA at Risk site!  Read more here!
• ​National Register of Historic Places -  FoFHP received official notification in December 2020 that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has designated Fort Halifax Park and Farmstead eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.  This designation will assist the "Friends" in the process of qualifying for additional grants for the stabilization, restoration, and preservation of the 1800's Schweitzer Bank Barn, companion Farmhouse, and all outbuildings.  The Sycamore Allee, part of Route 147 that bisects Fort Halifax is already on the National Register.