Fort Mifflin - Decommissioning and Restoration

Decommissioning and Restoration

In 1962, the federal government deeded Fort Mifflin to the City of Philadelphia. In 1969, Architect John Dickey was responsible for restoring the Blacksmith Shop's bellows and forge. In the 1980's; Harold Finigan, founding executive director of the Fort Mifflin on the Delaware, restored the Blacksmith's Building.

However Fort Mifflin is still an active base for the United States Army Corp of Engineers; as a result it is currently the oldest active military base in the United States and the only base in use that pre-dates the Declaration of Independence. In affect Fort Mifflin is the only military base in use that is older than the nation itself.

Commandant's House was destroyed by an accidental fire started by camping Boy Scouts in the late 1970's. ASP 1:11 Architect J. Dickey re-roofed the restored artillery shed in the early 1980s. Harold Finigan, then executive director of the fort, restored the artillery shed and hospital. He also in the 1980s did major restoration of quarters for officers and restored the kitchen wings.

Harold Finigan restored the arsenal in the early 1990s. He also in 1990s restored barracks of soldiers and the sea wall.

Wayne Irby in 2006 rediscovered and unearthed the recently named "Casemate #11" at Fort Mifflin. Doctor Don Johnson and a small group of volunteers in August 2006 uncovered and rediscovered the complexity of the inner rooms and the trove of historical artifacts inside "Casemate #11."