Fort Point National Historic Site

#NationalPuzzleDay Puzzles have had quite the resurgence in popularity during shelter in place due to COVID-19. They are the perfect way to do a little brain exercise while passing the time in the comfort and safety of your own home. The Guinness World Record for the largest commercially made puzzle in the world comes in at over 40,000 pieces! ... #DidYouKnow Fort Point is made up of over 15 million bricks?! Fort Point is almost like one giant puzzle, with each brick serving as a puzzle piece, carefully laid together to form one magnificent Fort! The only missing piece is YOU! #findyourpark #nps #fortpoint James M NPS

Happy #BubbleWrap Appreciation Day! While bubble wrap is often used as a source of amusement by popping the bubbles, its primary role is to form a protective layer around fragile items, ensuring they are not damaged due to external forces. While Fort Point didn’t use (or even have) bubble wrap historically, it did find a way to protect itself from the natural force of ocean waves. By early 1862, just one year after construction of the fort was complete, waves were threatening... to undermine the concrete and granite footings. Over the next eight years, work progressed on a 1,500 foot granite seawall which would enclose the west and north sides of the fort. Don’t know what to do with your used bubble wrap? You can use Plastic Film Recycling’s online tool to find a drop off location near you! What are some ways you protect things that have importance in your life? Share in the comments below! Photo Credit: NPS

#NationalComplimentDay I can live for two months on a good compliment. -Mark Twain How did you explore Fort Point? ... A good portion of visitors never intend to stumble upon the Fort but when they do and go inside and are amazed that this small space exists, it is the greatest compliment one can give. The Fort was initially built at the ideal location to protect the Bay, meaning the having the bridge built above makes it hard to see us. That is why when we see visitors discovering it for the first time, it is always a special feeling. So today on National Compliment Day, we wanted to thank those accidental adventurers as well as our seasoned explorers for visiting us! Without you, we would not be able to share the history and untold stories that dwell within each layer of brick. Photo Credit: Xotchitl NPS

#NationalHandwritingDay How do you leave your mark? Take a walk around Fort Point and take note to all of the old handwritten names and dates scribed on our walls. Many date back to the late 1800’s and are still visible today in all their old fashioned handwriting glory! ... Vandalism and graffiti are of course forbidden today. However, there is no denying that looking back at and reading the old handwriting from 150+ years ago can still be fascinating. One can't help but wonder what are the stories behind some of these handwritten signatures. Who were they? What did they see? Why were they here? Across the bay there is political messages that were deemed graffiti but have since been considered historic. Go to Alcatraz Island Island and learn about the Native American Occupation. James M NPS (Pictured historical graffiti inscribed " H. Haseler 1886" )

#CelebrationofLifeDay The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. -Oprah Winfrey What is your favorite way to celebrate? ... While some soldiers dedicated themselves to put maximum effort into their roles and duties, others diverted their energies in more positive ways. The men of the 70th Company, Coast Artillery, received permission to form a dancing club and to give dances twice a month. The ability to have an outlet to express themselves helped them greatly to be able to continue to serve. There are many ways one can express their appreciation for life. For some it can be taking part in favorite activities such as hiking or dancing or writing or singing. The options are plentiful that help us to rejoice. For some it may also be difficult as it is a reminder of those who have passed. That is why on Celebration of Life Day, we want to express our gratitude for what life has to offer and appreciate those who have taught us to live it to the fullest. Photo Credit: NPS ( picture of a dancer at Fort Point)

What bodies of water do you live close to? #NOAA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) : "A #KingTide is a popular, non-scientific term people often use to describe exceptionally high tides." On Monday, 12/14/20, the highest tide record was 7.10. ... Pictured below, 12/13/20, the highest tide at 9:35am was 7.04 and the lowest tide at 4:24pm. Erick #NPS ( Pictures of #FortPoint with the #GoldenGateBridge in the background)

Happy #NationalViolinDay What type of music makes you feel happy ? Music is all around the #FortPoint. From the fog horns of the #GoldenGateBridge, how the wind sounds throughout the fort, the cars revving above us, and to the calls of the birds around us.... For #NationalViolinDay Ranger Xotchitl played something that meant a lot to her. She said, " Every time it sits in my hand I am now connected to all the times I had performed before and no matter how rusty I am, the muscle memory reminds me just how far I have come since the first time I played the first note." Erick National Park Service ( Ranger Xotchitl playing Viva La Vida by Coldplay with the Golden Gate Bridge in the Background) #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque #Music #Violin #Coldplay

#FunFactFriday Do you know the reason why the heights of Cantil Blanco (White Cliff, which is pictured), were leveled to accommodate Fort Point being built only 15 feet above sea level? Think about using a rock to hit a target in the middle of a pond. When throwing the rock you have to aim horizontally (left and right) and vertically (up and down). But if you were to aim low and skip the rock across the water, you only have to aim horizontally since the rock will hit every t...arget in its forward path. Believe it or not, cannons firing close to sea level could skip their projectiles across the water, hitting any ship in the projectile’s forward path. Since smooth-bore cannons weren’t very accurate, this small modification allowed the artillerymen at Fort Point a better chance of hitting and sinking a ship. When looking at this through a historic lens this makes perfect sense. With rising sea levels, this tactical advantage might be a disadvantage. Erick NPS ( Pictures of where the White Cliffs were cut 15 feet in) #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque

When was a time that you conquered a mountain, real or figuratively? At #FortPoint, when standing at the top you can look out to the city, under the bridge, or out into the never-ending Pacific. It is often a rewarding treat as the view is never the same depending on time of day and weather conditions. As we hike up the stairs to the Barbette, we may forget all the steep spiral stairs crossed but relish in the accomplishment of reaching the top. While our stairs may not be... mountain, it does not take away from the struggle it takes to reach the top. We will often not be able to understand the mountains of others but by taking one step at a time and going at our own pace, we will be able to reach our destination. Whether it be the Barbette Tier of Fort Point, the top of the distant Hawk Hill, or traversing from one side of the bridge to the other, with each step made means a step for someone else to follow. So today on #InternationalMountainDay we encourage everyone to keep going on their paths up the mountain and in case you are seeking a physical one to hike, feel free to ask for recommendations! Xotchitl NPS( Picture of Marin Headlands from Fort Point Barbette tier)

Cool birds all along the Pacific Flyway. What is your favorite bird to see?

Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day Marty McFly: Wait a minute. Wait a minute Doc, uh, are you telling me you built a time machine out of a DeLorean? Doc: The way I see it, if you’re going to build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style? Back To The Future ... If you could go back in time, what day would you go back to? Sometimes when it comes to history, we are only ever able to learn about it in the books we read or from lessons taught by teachers. But sometimes, we get the chance to bring the past to the present. While we may not have a DeLorean, we do have Living History Day! We are taking a step back to reflect on this event which held demonstrations, medicine in the 1800's, music, Victorian dance and exhibits displaying the lives of men, women, and children of days past. We want to say thank you all the volunteers who helped bring these event to life. NPS (Volunteers in the parade ground during past living history days)

Happy late birthday!!!!

Writing isn’t letters on paper. It’s communication. It’s memory. -Isaac Marion What is your preferred method of communications? When the Fort was filled with soldiers, they did not have the luxury to just pull out a phone and send a text to a loved one. Instead of having a screen to type, they had a paper with a pencil. So today on #NationalLetterWritingDay, we asked Ranger Xotchitl who she would write her letter to and this is what she said: ... I’ve always loved the idea of handwritten sentiments. Written words seem to breathe their own life by the way each letter is different from the next, where one letter curls or another is slightly smaller than the next. It shows where you took time to think by which letters bled more from the ink of the pen being left on the page a second to long. That is why when I lost my grandma when I was in high school, I picked up a habit to write to her. I write to her any time I feel stressed or want to share an accomplishment with her. Even if she may not be able to read these letters, writing them helps me keep her memory alive. Writing letters is one way that soldiers would be able to still feel connected with their families, and even in the harshest of conditions, it was one way that they could find the motivation to get through each day. So, while we all do our best to keep each other safe, consider sending a loved one a letter to help brighten this holiday season. Xotchitl (Picture of a letter with the #GoldenGateBridge in the Background)

Happy #NationalArtsAndHumanitiesMonth What is your favorite form of art? Art is all around us! From the films we see, to the clothes we wear, and the things we create. ... At #FortPoint, art is present in the beautiful architecture of the building, the amazing shots people take here, and even the music the wind makes. Fort Point was lucky enough to have the #ImmigrantYarnProject as part of the #ArtsInTheParks. With 80 columns, like the ones pictured below, that were created from over 600 contributors. This project was done by immigrants and their descendants to celebrate the diverse country that we live in. To learn more about this visit: https://immigrantyarnproject.org/about #ParksForArt #ParkArt #ArtAndHumanities #ParksForAll Erick Cortes NPS

#OnThisDay How do you prepare for times of crisis? The Loma Prieta #earthquake which occurred #onthisday in 1989 caused the south wall of #FortPoint to lean out from the main fort structure, and the roof over the wall to lose its water tight integrity. ... The #GoldenGateBridge was virtually undamaged, with the exception of some rivets becoming warped and needing to be replaced. #LomaPrieta was a catalyst for the Seismic Retrofit Construction Project of the Golden Gate Bridge which continues to this day. NPS ( Picture of Fort Point Seismic Retrofit)

Because #LatinxHeritageMonth or #HispanicHeritageMonth is more than just a month long event, its #yearround! #findyourpark #ParksForAll #nps #parkranger

As we celebrate the #50thanniversary of #FortPoint becoming a #NationalHistoricSite by remembering the last half century. Fifty years from now, how would you like to be remembered? These last 50 years would not have been possible without the many people who have given life to the stories behind these walls. We strive to preserve this history by uncovering narratives that may be new, forgotten, and/or may have been lost through time. We want to make sure to recognize that the...se last 50 years would not have been possible without the many people who have given life to the stories behind these walls. From the Park Rangers who interpret the stories that have been uncovered, the volunteers who dedicate time out of their day to show visitors why they love the fort, and maintenance, cultural resource staff, and our park partners who continue the necessary work to keep Fort Point preserved for the next CENTURY!!! We hope you have enjoyed the last 50 years and we look forward to enjoying the next 50 years with you! #GoldenGateNationalRecreationArea #NPS #ParksForAll #FindYourPark NPS Pic 1 (5 Park Rangers walking the corridor of Fort Point) Pic 2 (#ParkRanger Swearing in #JrRanger) Pic 3 ( A view of the parade ground during #LivingHistoryDay

Hispanic Heritage Month Continues #FindYourPark Today is the last day of #HispanicHeritageMonth Meet Park Ranger Erick Cortes. He started working at the parks as a intern with the education team serving underrepresented youth explore their national parks, sometimes for the first time. Now as a Park Ranger with Fort Point and the Southern Area of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Erick strives to reach and welcome communities and make parks more equitable and inclusive.... Continúa el Mes de la Herencia Hispana #EncuentraTuParque Conoce al Guardabosque Erick Cortes. Comenzó a trabajar en los parques como interno con los guardabosques de educación que sirve a jóvenes subrepresentados a explorar sus parques nacionales, a veces por primera vez. Ahora como guardabosques de Fort Point y el Área Sur del área recreativa Nacional Golden Gate, Erick se esfuerza por llegar y dar la bienvenida a las comunidades y hacer que los parques sean más equitativos e inclusivos. For Audio Description click on link below https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q4Jd16U43M&t=1s

#EarthScienceWeek gives us at #FortPoint the excuse to get excited about the awesome nature just beyond our walls! Earth Science is the study of the natural world. Our Fort overlooks the ocean (So much earth!) and stands witness to incredible plants and animal life in San Francisco (So much science!). Earth Science Week was started in October 1998, by the American Geosciences Institute. Their mission was to help us learn about the planet, what makes it so cool, and how we can continue to care for it! NPS

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay. If ever there were a year where we could all use a little TLC for our mental health, 2020 would be it! DYK: Fort Point was built out of mounting anxiety and paranoia due to the Civil War and the California Gold Rush? Anxiety, paranoia, stress, and/or depression can be extremely debilitating and draining for anyone who suffers from them. Be like Fort Point and arm yourself with the right tools to help support and protect your mental health. ... What are some ways you arm yourself to help take care of your own mental health? Comment below Your suggestions could help someone else in need. James M NPS (Pictured: canon balls with words: Exercise, Journal, Dance, Therapy, Sleep, Social Interaction, Meditate, Color, Hydrate, Laugh, Gratitude, Reading, Seek Help, Nutrition, and Sunlight)

Este #MesdelaHerenciaHispana presentamos a nuestros increíbles guardaparques Latinxs que quieren que #EncuentrenSuParque Hector es un guardaparque de educación que enseña a estudiantes y maestros la #historia del #FortíndeLaPunta y el #Presidio. Hector incluye las voces de esas personas que a veces se han ignorado en nuestra historia y quiere dar la bienvenida a grupos diversos a sus parques nacionales. Aprende más de la historia de Hector aqui: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...v=-Ik3XIfW92w&feature=youtu.be This #HispanicHeritageMonth we want to highlight our amazing #Latinx interpretive park rangers who want you to #FindYourPark Hector is an Education #ParkRanger who teaches students and teachers about the #history of #FortPoint and the #Presidio. Hector includes the voices of people who have often been left out of our country's history and he wishes a welcome to diverse communities visiting their national parks. Learn more about Hector's story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ik3XIfW92w&feature=youtu.be #ParksForAll #RepresentationMatters

Happy #Late #WorldAnimalDay I am running away from my responsibilities. And it feels good. -Michael Scott It is not just people that we see running outside #FortPoint but sometimes they are accompanied by their furry friends. Whether they are running from responsibilities or taking a moment to appreciate a good view to fantasize about treats like Mikey, pictures standing in front the Fort Point sign, it is always a pleasure to wave as they pass by. On World Animal Day, we w...ant you to go ahead and share your favorite pictures of your furry friends! We would also like to remind you that while pets are not allowed to enter Fort Point, with the exception applied for ADA Service Animals, there are many trails around the park that Mikey can recommend as being dog-friendly. Be sure to check out which trails allow you to take dogs by following the link so that you can plan ahead and #RecreateResponsibly #WorldAnimalDay #ExploreNature https://www.nps.gov/go/planyourvisit/dog-friendly-areas.htm Xotchitl NPS

They say that teaching is the greatest act of optimism. That even during the most challenging times teachers all around the world are making a difference in any... way that they can. Today is World Teachers’ Day and the theme this year is Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future. This day provides the occasion to celebrate the teaching profession worldwide, take stock of achievements, and draw attention to the voices of teachers, who are at the heart of efforts to attain the global education target of leaving no one behind. Our Education Team at #GoldenGate are no different than the many traditional classroom teachers we think about. They too have had to adapt to the way that they teach and lead in crisis. By being innovative with technology and creative with set design, our amazing Education Rangers show students that they will do whatever it takes to bring learning to them. Read more about what inspires Rangers Alanna, Rafael, and Socorro by clicking on their picture in this post! If you are a classroom teacher interested in Education programs here at #GOGA please check out: https://www.nps.gov/goga/learn/education/index.htm to learn more about how you can use parks as classrooms.

Happy #WorldHabitatDay What animals are located near your habitat? Bee puns are good for your health. Why? Because they give you a dose of Vitamin Bee!... We would not BEE where we are today without the help of our fuzzy yellow neighbors who work hard to make sure that our local flora is cared for. That is why it is always an un-BEE-lievable sight to see one of these little critters taking a moment for some self-care. Would it bee safe to say they are styling their hair with a honeycomb or perhaps contemplating a buzz cut? Whatever the answer may bee, it is always important to mind our own beeswax because we never know if that bee is working towards a promotion since they are so buzzy on the job. That is why today on #WorldHabitatDay we want to share some appreciation for all the hard work they do to help keep our parks green with a healthy dose of Vitamin Bee. #FortPoint Xotchitl NPS ( Video of a bee cleaning themselves)

Look at some of the incredible work our coworkers are doing. Check out Alcatraz Island , Muir Woods National Monument, and Golden Gate National Recreation Area for more videos like this and/or great content. #HispanicHeritageMonth #BrownIsBeautiful