Old Fort Jackson is considered to be the oldest standing brick fortification. It even dates back to when it was earthen works in 1808. President Thomas Jefferson developed his second line of defense, which was really needed during the War of 1812.
The fort has not one, but three on-site educators: Ethan Baker, Walter Reeves and Aaron Bradford. Bradford is the head site interpreter. Each was dressed in miserably hot wool and homespun Union Army uniforms from the Republican Blues. (When I visited the fort several years ago, I had a good talk with the interpreter at ten time who was portraying a USCT soldier.)
They were very knowledgeable about the fort's history when it had been occupied by both Confederate and Union forces during the "Great Unpleasantness" of the 1860s. Today, they were busy leading a group of school children, maybe 6th or 7th graders, through an interactive program called "Life as a Member of the Militia.' Among the things they were learning was how to assemble for a charge with the shortest people in the front line, how to fire a musket and how to march in unison.
--Brock-Perry
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