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Dry Tortugas National Park

Fort Jefferson From Above, Dry Tortugas National Park

An aerial view of Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas National Park off the coast of Florida

"Fort Jefferson, the largest all-masonry fort in the United States, was built between 1846 and 1875 to protect the nation's gateway to the Gulf of Mexico. Supply and subsidence problems and the Civil War delayed construction. The fort was never completed because of fears that additional bricks and cannon would cause further settling and place more stress on the structure and the cistern system. Distinguishing features include decorative brickwork and 2,000 arches.

National Park Service

Photography In The National Parks: Winter Is Coming

Winter is coming. Thursday, December 21, 2023, is the first day of winter. Are you ready for the season? Is your camera ready for the season? Contributing photographer Rebecca Latson tells you how to prepare your camera for a season of great shots, with tips and techniques for correcting color cast issues and capturing beautiful compositions.

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 235 | Hot Waters Wash Florida’s National Parks

An image of the shoreline from the Florida Everglades

The New York Times recently summed up one of the biggest climate change stories of the year so far. The planet’s average sea surface temperature spiked to a record high in April, and the ocean has remained exceptionally warm ever since, the paper reported. In July, widespread marine heatwaves drove temperatures back up to near record highs, with some hot spots nearing 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

National Parks Traveler Podcast Episode 226 | Lost Hospitals And Underwater Graves At Dry Tortugas

An image of a diver examining an underwater gravestone

You likely know that Dry Tortugas National Park houses Fort Jefferson, which served as a Civil War-era prison with a community for soldiers, civilians, and slaves.

Were you aware that hidden remnants of hospitals and graveyards have been found nearby — offshore — adding to the puzzle of life and death in the Civil War era?

Lynn Riddick dives into that topic with Joshua Marano, a maritime archaeologist for the National Park Service...

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