Our guided walking tour, "Fort Negley: A Symbol of Union Occupation," emphasizes the fort’s impact on military operations, race relations, and occupied civilians through first-person accounts and official records. Interpretive panels illustrate life in occupied Nashville, Fort Negley’s construction, key political and military figures, and a variety of other topics. Boardwalks located within the fort offer students access to the largest inland masonry fortification built during the Civil War to better understand the design and construction. Fort Negley’s commanding position atop St. Cloud Hill, 260 feet above the Cumberland River, provides students a one-of-a-kind view of the city. Allow a minimum of one hour to tour the fort.
Fort Negley Visitors Center recommends combining the tour with one of the three films offered.
At 20 minutes, “The Fall of Nashville” introduces Nashville’s importance to Union and Confederate military objectives in the Western Theater.
At 20 minutes, “Defending Nashville: The Story of Fort Negley” focuses on the building of Nashville’s fortification system and Fort Negley’s role during the Civil War.
At 30 minutes, "Desperate Days: The Last Hope of the Confederacy"covers the last major Confederate campaign in the Western Theater, which culminated in the Battles of Franklin and Nashville.