Skip to content
Fort Monroe Community Input Survey
GENERAL INFORMATION
1.
What best describes your connection to Fort Monroe?
(Select all that apply)
Local resident
Descendant or connected community member
Employment (work now or worked at Fort Monroe)
Military connection (served at Fort Monroe)
Frequent visitor
Educator, researcher, or cultural practitioner
Staff / Volunteer / partner organization
Tourist/visitor
FMA Staff
2.
If you are comfortable, please note where you live from the list below: (select one)
Fort Monroe
Hampton
Hampton Roads
Virginia, but outside of Hampton Roads
Outside of Virginia
Prefer not to answer
3.
How often do you visit Fort Monroe? (select one)
More than once a week
Once a week
Monthly
Annually
Rarely
Never
4.
What best describes the reason you visit Fort Monroe?
(Select all that apply)
History & culture
Tour the Fort or Museum
Walking/hiking
Beach
Sports fields/recreation
Boating and non-beach water recreation
the Fort
Visit a relative or friend who lives on the Fort
Restaurants and cafes
Special events
Worship services
VISITOR EXPERIENCE
5.
Why do you visit Fort Monroe currently?
(Select all that apply)
Live
Work
Play/recreate
Learn and study
Eat and drink
Shop
Worship
6.
What future amenities would you like to see expanded/added to Fort Monroe? (Select your top three options)
Restrooms
Historical/cultural exhibits
Performing and visual arts facilities
Shade
Water access
Athletic fields
Walking & bicycling trails
Food & beverage options
Picnic/group activity facilities
Seating/resting areas
Additional shopping options
Additional residential options
7.
What activities do you currently enjoy at Fort Monroe?
(select all that apply)
Learning
solitude/peace
Walking or jogging
Biking
Sports events
Beach or water access
Picnicking
Fishing
Wildlife viewing
Exploring nature
Events and festivals
I primarily visit for historical or cultural reasons
8.
If you do not visit Fort Monroe, why not?
(Select all that apply)
Difficult to access
Nothing there appeals to me
Limited public services
It does not feel safe
I’ve seen all there is to see and do - nothing new to experience
I do not feel welcome in this space
9.
What site accessibility improvements would most improve your experience at Fort Monroe? (Select one option that is your top priority)
Parking (this includes location, availability, and handicap accessible parking)
Safe bicycle and walking trails
Facility accessibility (accessibility into buildings)
Beach accessibility (connectivity, handicap accessibility onto beach)
Wayfinding (this includes intuitive paths, signage, and lighting)
10.
To what extent do you support prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle use at Fort Monroe in key/strategic places? (Select one)
Strongly support
Somewhat support
Neutral
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
11.
What additional public amenities would you like to see at Fort Monroe? (Select all that apply)
Expanded trails or paths for biking and walking
Passive recreation or quiet spaces
Wildlife viewing
Cultural or arts programming
Water based recreation
Fishing & boating access
Fitness and recreational sports
Camping
Vacation rentals
Local/small-scale retail opportunities
No additional amenities needed
12.
Fort Monroe has the potential to host new types of workplaces that align with growing regional industries. Which type of employment opportunity do you believe is most appropriate for the site? (Select all that apply)
Specialized maritime business and boat-related services
Hospitality, food & beverage services
Research and technology innovation
Creative arts (performing & visual)
Professional services (office Jobs) in a historic setting
I do not support new job centers at Fort Monroe
13.
Which of the following additions would most encourage you to spend a full day or stay overnight on Fort Monroe? (Select all that apply)
Overnight accommodations, e.g. lodge/small hotel or short-term rentals
Expanded waterfront dining and local cafes
Locally-owned retail shops and daily guest services
I prefer Fort Monroe to remain as it is currently
14.
What would draw you to visit Fort Monroe more often? (Select all that apply)
Performances / cultural events
More dining options
Additional public recreation options
Additional nature experiences
Additional history and cultural exhibits
15.
Where do you see the greatest opportunities for improvement at Fort Monroe? (select one)
Historic Interpretation
Care of historical landmarks and structures
Care of natural environment
Enhanced recreation facilities and programs
Vehicular access
Pedestrian/bicycle access
Public transit access
Expanded parking options
Dining (food and beverage)
Clean and accessible restrooms
16.
If you come to Fort Monroe specifically to visit the beach, what is the top reason you choose this beach over others in the area? (select one)
Location to my home
Calm waters
Ease of parking
Less crowded
Safety
17.
Fort Monroe has over 70 buildings that are not part of the National Monument or not part of the National Register of Historic Places, which may be costly to restore. How important is it to preserve and reuse these buildings for a reimagined visitor experience? (select one)
Important
Not important
It depends
No opinion
18.
What types of small-scale local businesses or community services would you most like to see occupying the historic buildings at Fort Monroe? (Select all that apply)
Cafes, bakeries, and local eateries.
Neighborhood-serving retail (like a small grocer, seafood market, or pharmacy).
Creative studios, galleries, and maker spaces.
I prefer no new businesses in historic buildings.
HISTORY & PLACE
19.
Which aspects of Fort Monroe are you most aware of? (Select all that apply)
Indigenous presence and early history
Enslavement and the 1619 African Landing
The Contraband decision and freedom seeking history
U.S. military history and coastal defense
Fort Monroe as an active army post
Chesapeake Bay ecology and environment
I’m not very familiar with Fort Monroe’s history
20.
How well do you think Fort Monroe currently communicates its full and complex history? (select one)
Very well
Somewhat well
Neutral
Somewhat poorly
Very poorly
21.
How important is it to you that Fort Monroe explores and interprets the depth and diversity of history found here? (select one)
Very important
Somewhat important
Neutral
Somewhat unimportant
Not important
22.
Which historic elements of Fort Monroe do you engage with most? (Select all that apply)
Museums or exhibits
Memorials or monuments
Historic buildings and landscapes
Guided tours or programs
Walking or biking through historic areas
School or educational programs
I do not typically engage with historic elements
23.
What types of interpretation help you connect most with Fort Monroe’s
history? (Select up to three)
Signage and outdoor exhibits
Museums or indoor exhibits
Guided or self‑guided tours
Digital or mobile experiences
Art, installations, or performances
Educational or community programs
Storytelling from descendant or local communities
24.
How important is it that uses complement and respect Fort Monroe’s historic character? (select one)
Very important
Somewhat important
Neutral
Somewhat unimportant
Not important
25.
How well do you think Fort Monroe currently balances historic preservation with public recreation and use? (Select one)
Very well
Somewhat well
Neutral
Somewhat poorly
Very poorly
26.
Which of the designations below are you aware of that Fort Monroe holds? (Select all that apply)
UNESCO Site of Memory
National Register of Historic Places
National Monument
National Historic Landmark
Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail
I was unaware of any of these designations
DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
(All questions in this section have an option “Prefer not to answer”)
27.
What is your age range
Under 18
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55–64
65+
Prefer not to answer
28.
Which best describes your current employment status?
Employed full-time
Employed part-time
Self-employed
Unemployed
Retired
Student
Unable to work
Prefer not to answer
29.
Do you identify as a person with a disability?
Yes
No
Prefer not to answer
30.
Are you a veteran or part of a military family?
Yes
No
Prefer not to answer
31.
How do you describe your race or ethnicity? (Select all that apply)
Asian
Black or African American
Hispanic or Latino/a/x
Middle Eastern or North African
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
White
Another race or ethnicity (please specify)
Prefer not to answer
