2025 Upcoming Event
Children’s Magical Halloween Castle 2025
The Children’s Magical Halloween Castle event is on Saturday, October 25, and Sunday, October 26.
Last year, over 130 volunteers worked more than 1,500 hours. They set up decorations, ran the event, and returned everything to storage.
Every hour a volunteer gives makes a big difference.
For details on some decorations inside the fort walls, visit https://fortindependence.org/halloween-2024/.
Contact castleisland8@gmail.com to inquire about the dates of when volunteers will be needed.
Free Tours
The Castle Island Association offers free guided tours of the Fort, where you can learn about its history. You’ll also get to enjoy the panoramic view from the second level. For more details, check the link above.
Flay Day Ceremony
Join us to be part of something meaningful and witness history. This event happens twice a year: on Flag Day and Veterans Day at Fort Independence. The Castle Island Association and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) host it. The Flag Day celebration kicks off with a Scottish marching band featuring bagpipes and drums. For more details and images, check the link. Bring your worn or tattered American flags, and we’ll retire them with respect. This ceremony is not just tradition; it’s a nostalgic experience for students and veterans.
Where History Meets Breathtaking Beauty
Welcome to Fort Independence and Castle Island State Park. This 22-acre paradise sits at the entrance to Boston’s Inner Harbor. Here, a rich history of bravery meets scenic views and outdoor fun. It offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.
Whether you’re passionate about history, fascinated by nature, or seeking a tranquil escape, this is the destination for you.
Above is an amazing video shot from Bastion A on the second tier of the Fort, taken on a Sunday afternoon in August. The video takes a tour from Deer Island, crossing the President Roads and moving all the way South to Blue Hills. On the way through the video, you can see Boston Harbor Lighthouse, Nix Mate, Long Island, Spectacle Island, Thompson Island, and Blue Hills. In the foreground at the end of the video is a view of the 15-inch Rodman Gun. This spectacular view gives you a very good idea why, in 1631, they selected this site to protect the Neck of Boston.
Resources used for this Article:
Castle Island and Fort Independence book by William Reid.
This book can be found at the Boston Public Library or purchased on online on amazon.com