The park expanded to include over 1,400 acres of beaches, dunes, and maritime forests. Roads, trails, and campgrounds were added with minimal environmental disturbance, emphasizing the harmony between preservation and recreation.
The fort itself was furnished with period-accurate exhibits—uniforms, cannons, tools, and interpretive panels—recreating the atmosphere of the 1860s.
Living History and Reenactment Traditions
One of the park’s most beloved traditions began in the 1970s: living-history reenactments. Volunteers and park rangers don authentic uniforms, perform drills, cook meals over open fires, and interpret the daily life of Union soldiers stationed at Fort Clinch during the Civil War.
These events transform the fort into a time capsule. Visitors can hear muskets crack, smell campfire smoke, and watch soldiers march across the parade ground as if time has turned back 160 years.
The living-history program has earned national recognition for its educational value, bringing history to life in a tangible and engaging way. shutdown123