Fort Defiance (formerly also known as Fort Sevier & Fort Bruce) We loved the little walking path that was here. It shows some of the original earthworks. Museum was very informative. Clarksville, TN in the 1860's was a vital communication/transportation center for the Confederacy. It was a major producer of tobacco and agricultural goods but became an important source of iron (its local foundries producing cannon, artillery shells and musket balls for the Confederate army early in the war). Clarksville's location at the confluence of the Cumberland and Red Rivers made it a strategic point. The Confederates in preparing for the city's defense constructed Fort Sevier on a hill that commands the two rivers. On February 19, 1862, Union gunboats came up the river from Fort Donelson and reported the fort displayed a white flag and was left deserted. The Union took over the fort and enlarged it so that it would control traffic on the Hopkinsville (Kentucky) Pike. After the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863, Clarksville became a Federal recruitment center for the induction of free blacks and former slaves into the Union service. read more

See all

We stopped by since we were killing some time in town for a wedding later in the day. The small museum was pretty interesting as was the video. If so inclined they have a long walking path down to the river ( beware the path back is uphill). The fort itself is not much to see given it is just earthen walls. Nice views to downtown c-ville. Ok especially if you are a civil war history buff but for all others... meh. read more

Fort Defiance - View - Museums Near Me - Clarksville, Tennessee

See all

Beware of pitbulls roaming leash-less around trails and building. Came on a Monday afternoon not knowing they were closed on Mondays, but I parked and figured I'd go for a small walk with my 10 month old son on the trail since it was a beautiful day. As I walked around to the front of the building I looked back and saw a leash less pit bull by itself on the pavement staring at me. I did not know what to do! I had no form of defense and was holding my 10 month old baby! Slowly I walked around to the other side of the building, and thankfully made it around to my car without being attacked. About a month ago I came with my niece and nephew and saw two pitbulls without leashes roaming near the trails too. So they definitely live in the area. Will not be returning sadly. read more

A nice park that was free to park and go into the visitor center. A great walk around the grounds. The film inside the visitor center gives you some great history of the town and the war. Can do it all in about a hour. read more

Upon entering Fort Defiance the leaves from the trees drifted down to the ground as if to welcome me. Fort Defiance has a small museum, an introductory historical Civil War film, and gift shop. Beautiful views and a walking trail with historical placards are everywhere. The fort is no longer here, but its history will never be forgotten. Phyllis, a volunteer, greeted us in the welcome center. She was very helpful and set up the film for us to see. We took the self guided tour and browsed the area. The museum is small yet very informative and interactive. I plan to come here again and bring friends when the weather is cooler. Picnic tables are set all over the area to eat and drink. The most breathtaking part of Fort Defiance is the view of Clarksville and the walking trail. Admission is free and this is a definite go see place in Clarksville! read more

See all

Sunday, June 1st, Tony, Noel and I was driving around Clarksville checking out some lovely old Victorian Homes on Madison Street. We were making our way over to Route 79 Flea Market, while going there I noticed the sign about Fort Defiance..so once we were finished at the flea market I made the turn out the side road to the Park. Once there, it is easy to locate. The parking lot is very nice with plenty of room. There is a visitors center but it doesn't open until 1pm on Sundays so we just walked around the park. There was lots of signs to read and check out. There is also a few cannons, a few benches to sit on and a couple of picnic tables but NO Grills or Playground equipment. There is also some hiking trails that are paved and wounds out along the ridge to view the river with a lovely overlook of the city of Clarksville. There is also some hiking trails around the Earthworks of the original fort. It is well marked with plenty of signs to keep you off the Earthworks. The trees are really well marked and there are quite a few Black Cherry Trees there... The grass along the earthworks was still rather high, and sort of worried me about snakes..they need to cut this really badly. The park is FREE to enjoy which is always a plus in my book. I enjoyed the park and we ended up spending about 45 minutes there. I would go again and Highly recommend this to you and your family. Very informative and interesting park. We learned that General Stonewall Jackson was an unknown soldier while fighting at this battle here at this fort...before he became a leader for the UNION troops..I never knew that!!!! read more

See all

My girlfriend is always looking to be more active when she comes to visit since the majority of our activities involve knives and forks and a nice hike was a way to burn off calories from all the eating. Fort Defiance was an actually fort with the earthworks from the garrison there still around and a clear view into Clarksville. The trail though is a little confusing, the map seems to show that you can walk down all the way down to the river and cross it at some point but there doesn't seem to be a way to do that. The visitor's site is nice and new and the volunteer there is informative and helpful and actually, a little too eager to get you to stay and look at the exhibits. It's a little sad that the visitor center has been built with a lot of care and attention when not too many people come out there. Clarksville should definitely put more focus on it. If only so that knowledgeable, eager man can to talk to more people read more

Me, my mother, and step father came upon this place just driving around Clarksville. We had no idea it was here. We all really enjoyed the scenery and walking around to read the signs. We are always going to forts and more historical places and I'd have to say even though the grass was kinda High, I enjoyed walking out in the area where the fort once was. Since it was a Sunday we didn't get to go into the guest center, because it does not open til 1. But we over all enjoyed the park we'd definitely will come back. read more

See all

This isn't a huge attraction but was a fun detour. It took us about 1.5-2 hours to go through it. The staff was amazing and an awesome resource for other things to see and do in the area. There is a short film in the museum with the history of the area. I was surprised to learn the fort changed hands so many times. Then there is a small museum with artifacts and records. It was a fun detour and I was happy we went. read more

See all

Neat little place to stop to learn more history of Civil War. A nice place for a picnic and to exercise the kids. Cool shade and some river views. There is no actual fort buildings if that's what you are looking for. Very nice staff and really informative. Souvenir shop as well. 15 minute video and small museum inside Interpretive Center. Overall nice place to stop at and walk around. read more

See all

I always bring visitors here to get a little bit of local history and some exercise. The museum is free, and has the best gallery design I've seen locally (the stuff I think about...) The guy who works there can answer any question you have about the Civil War, and is always happy to talk to visitors. There is a nice walking trail and plenty of historical postings throughout the old fort site. read more

Fort Defiance - Museums Near Me - Clarksville, Tennessee

I'm always one to enjoy a hike, a view and history. Not often does that happen at the same time. The museum for fort defiance was small but was well furnished and informative. There was nothing left of the actual fort besides the large raised earthen walls where it once stood and the relics in the museum. Perched on an immense hill over looking the 100ft ling Red River the view and scenery from Fort Defiance is wonderful. There is a well made nature trail that winds around the hill and for the more adventurous like myself and my brother there are some very rugged trails off the beaten path that lead down to the river. Between the wonderful view, the small but quint museum, the nature paths (rugged or man made), the wild walnut and pecan trees and the remains of the ironic Fort Defiance this is one of the best attractions Clarksville has to offer. read more

Fort Defiance - Great view of downtown Clarksville. - Museums Near Me - Clarksville, Tennessee

Beautiful walk through history. Nice paved walkway. Great way to spend the afternoon. The information center is clean and has lots brochures and artifacts inside. Great place for a quiet picnic or to take pictures. read more

Fort Defiance - Museums Near Me - Clarksville, Tennessee

4 1/2 STARS! While it's a little disappointing there is no "real" fort to explore, this interpretive center is awesome! It is so well done, clean, engaging and has beautiful views with a gently meandering paved trail to walk on. The employee who was there when we visited was very nice. If you follow the signs leading from the road it will take you to a culdesac (different from the one mentioned later in my review) that you can see the Interpretive Center from but not get to the parking lot. Your GPS will be more accurate to follow. Their restroom was beautiful and very clean. It had a baby changing station and paper towels. It smelled nicely but the odor was very strong. Too strong for those Se sitivd to strong fragrances. Outside of the bathroom is a garbage can to throw away the paper towel you used to open the door. Way to keep it sanitary, Fort Defiance!! There is a short video you can watch in the theater room. It is very engaging, even my barely 4 year old (who is known for her distractable personality) was watching it intently. The video is done in a sort of first person account/interview style that is really great. It really helps you imagine what it was like for all different sorts of people during the Civil War: men and women, slave and free, Confederate and Union. In the Interpretive Center there are several large glass panels with images of a homemaker, slave, merchant, Confederate soldier, Yankee soldier, etc. When you stand in front of them a sensor is triggered which plays an audio of that persons eyewitness account. For.some reason these terrified my 6 year old daughter, but everyone else loved them. The only bad thing is that some of the audio (soldier) is louder than other's (merchant). Sometimes if you stand in front of one, its adjacent counterpart also gets triggered and plays. This can make it difficult to hear and focus on the one you are trying to listen to. The concept, however, is brilliant! There are large maps on the wall and exhibits showing what was important to their way of life here during that period. They have an enormous glass panel inscribed with the Emancipation Proclamation and examples of the types of shot they used in the cannons. There was also a small replica of the ships used during the war. It is a great place to take your children if you homeschool and would like to take a field trip to go along with your history lesson. I think the video style and glass panel "interviews" are especially good for those who gravitate towards the Charlotte Mason method. There is a table of items for sale. They have some really good books, even two different coloring books of soldier's uniforms that are geared toward boys. That was different and nice, especially because my 7 year old son is really into the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and loves to color. Stocking stuffer! We loved the hiking path. It was really nice and easy for the whole family (and stroller) because it is paved. It looked like there was a way to go up toward the fort foundation but it was not paved. It was drizzling and we didn't want to walk in the leaves and mud, so we decided to check that out next time we visit. Be careful when looking at the map for the trail. It seems to show that there is a way to cross the river. We followed it all the way to what seems like a culdesac. Then we continued to follow the trail down and it just ends next to the busy highway, making this Mama very nervous! Instead of taking the trail all the way back we just walked through the culdesac (kinda ghetto) and back to the parking lot. In the parking lot we saw paper birch trees!! Those are our favorite and we didn't think they could grow here, so that made up for the confusing map and lack of trail markings. :) Fort Defiance, please PLEASE have some clearly marked signs made along the trail letting visitors know where the trail leads since it is not a loop. Thank you! :) There are lots of picnic tables and places to throw down a blanket and enjoy the park. It really is beautiful. We loved the huge shade trees and that many were labeled. (Except we did see one Sugar Maple that was mislabeled.) No playground, but we didn't miss it. If you need a way to give your kids some exercise while there, make them run up the hill toward the Interpretive Center and then roll back down. (You may need to catch them at the bottom! It's steep.) This place could so easily be 5 stars if they just would mark the trail, make the sensors for the talking glass panels a little less sensitive and adjust their volume. We are really excited to go back again in the future! 5 hanks for such a wonderful experience! read more

See all

Great trails, beautiful grounds, and an awesome view of Downtown Clarksville. And it's free! The museum is great, but has its issues. Walking through it you are bombarded with voice recordings that are based on sensors. It's poorly designed, needs a change. The front door of the museum is also not the front door you use. You'll know this because of the taped paper design telling you so. ;) read more

As a bit of a history nerd, this was a fun place to spend an afternoon. The staff was knowledgable, and answered all my questions. It's such a beautiful place, it's easy to imagine what it must have looked like during the war. read more