Fort Ward Park is the site of one of the earthwork forts built for the defense of Washington during the Civil War. Archaeological research undertaken to aid the reconstruction of the fort in 1961 was the first archaeology ever performed in Alexandria. In celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of this milestone, City archaeologists returned to dig the site once more in 1991. Discoveries included traces of the barracks, mess hall and trash dump, as well as the post-war African American settlement.