HAMPTON, Virginia — The Algernourne Oak at Fort Monroe National Monument stands as one of the oldest living witnesses to Virginia's history. This ancient live oak tree, predating English settlement, has stood at Old Point Comfort since before the construction of the fort. Named for an early colonial fort at the site, this heritage tree represents centuries of coastal Virginia history.


Photograph by David Coleman. The Algernourne Oak at Fort Monroe stands as a living link to pre-colonial Virginia, having survived centuries of coastal habitation and military activity at Old Point Comfort. Named for the 1609 Fort Algernourne, the first English fortification at this location, this massive live oak predates European settlement in the area. The tree has witnessed Native American presence, colonial development, the arrival of the first Africans in English North America in 1619, and the construction of the current Fort Monroe in the 19th century. Located within the fort's grounds, this ancient specimen demonstrates remarkable resilience, having survived countless storms, military conflicts, and environmental changes. The Algernourne Oak serves as both a natural monument and a living historical marker, representing one of the oldest documented trees in Virginia's coastal region.


Size: 8256px × 5504px
Location: Fort Monroe National Monument, Fort Monroe, Virginia, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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