Directions to Fort D:
From I-55: exit at Highway 74 east. Go east on 74 toward the Mississippi bridge. Go to the fifth stoplight (Sprigg Street) and turn right (south). Go four blocks to Locust Street and turn left. The fort is two blocks straight ahead (east) at 720 Fort Street. Parking is available on the street unless arrangements have been made with the House of Hope to use their parking lot.

Scheduling a Tour:
Group tours of Fort D are scheduled through the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). To schedule a tour contact the CVB at 573-335-1631 or 1-800-777-0068 (fax 573-334-6702) or info@visitcape.com. Tours are subject to the availability of volunteer interpretive guides most of whom are members of the Turner Brigade or Civil War Roundtable of Cape Girardeau. Try to make plans as far in advance as possible. During certain prime weeks of the month, additional living history demonstrations may be set up inside the blockhouse at the fort; the CVB will have a list of dates available. Group leaders need to leave full contact information, including evening phone number.

Adult Tour Groups:
A fee of $2.00 per person is charged for guided adult tours. This will include a introduction to the fort’s history, Cape Girardeau Civil War involvement, an introduction to the uniforms, weapons, and accoutrements of the Civil War soldier. For larger groups, a display of rifle and/or cannon fire can be demonstrated.

School Group Logistics:
We realize that most groups will come in large enough numbers (two classes) to make bus transportation affordable. We can accommodate groups of any size for the basic tour only. However, our activity tours are strictly limited to one class of a maximum of thirty students (fewer is better). Our suggestion is that school groups schedule Fort D tours in conjunction with the Red House Interpretive Center, located only 5 minutes away, and have half of the group at each place. By splitting the groups, a more manageable size is created and a higher quality experience is achieved. Note: Red House tours are also scheduled by the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

School Tours Available:
1) The basic tour includes tour of the fort, marching exercise, and a soldier’s uniform and accoutrements demonstration. Time: allow 1 hour.
2) An activity tour includes the basic tour plus at least one of the following hands-on activities: advanced marching and weapon drill, signal flag communications drill, mapping the fort, 1860’s baseball, or assembling a pup tent. The signal flag activity requires classroom preparation (included in tour guide). Time: allow 2 hours minimum.
 
Cost:
Tours are $1 per student for the basic tour or $1.50 for the activity tour, plus a one-time charge per leader or school of $5 for a complete 25 page teacher’s guide. (Example: a class of 30 taking an activity tour would cost $1.50 x 30 + $5 = $50.) The teacher’s guide includes crossword puzzles, map activities, reading exercises, coloring pages, and more.  Checks should be made to: Cape Girardeau Parks Foundation with a notation “Fort D Fund” and may be brought with the group. The activity guide will be mailed to your group upon making a reservation.

Souvenirs:
Limited souvenirs are available at this time: t-shirts ($10), pencils ($0.25), wooden dummy rifle – not a cap gun - ($15.00), post cards ($.50), period cedar pencils ($0.10), wooden signal whistle ($5), minie (rifle) or musket ball ($1), jaw harp ($5), hardtack ($1), wooden dice set ($3), Suede leather pouch ($3.50).
 
Restrooms:
Through the cooperation of Pastor Blake Tiemann and his congregation, restrooms are normally available at the House of Hope, directly across Locust Street from the fort, in what was formerly May Greene School. School groups must contact the House of Hope (573-335-4858) in advance to insure that someone will be there. There are no restrooms on the fort grounds.

Lunch
If you are doing a picnic lunch you may use the fort grounds provided another group is not having a tour. There are also pavilions available in many of the other parks in Cape Girardeau. To reserve a pavilion at a park call the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department at 573-335-5421.
 
Inclement Weather
All activities are outdoors and there is little covered shelter at the fort. Groups should come prepared for moderate weather, i.e. bring a raincoat. If a last-minute cancellation is necessary there will be no charge.