Fort Washington is one of the more interesting military history sites in the region. The guns on the old fort look down on the Potomac and guard the southern approach to the Capital. Until the Civil War it was the only defensive fortification in the area.

During the War of 1812, 4,000 veteran Redcoats (so called "Waterloo men") landed on the Patuxent River, marched in a wide arc around Fort Washington, and burned the Capitol.

Three days later a squadron of 10 Royal Navy warships approached Fort Washington and began shelling it. The fort's commander, Captain Dyson, retreated with his small garrison of men and blew up the magazine. (Dyson received a court martial for his actions).