Accoya wood was used to restore and replace Fort Norfolk’s historic 1860s wood windows to match to their original state. All new sash, frame and exterior trim were fabricated from Accoya, primed with Sherwin Williams Exterior Oil Based Wood Primer, glazed with Sarco Type M putty and 3/16″ clear glass, and finished with Sherwin Williams Duration Exterior Gloss. The sash are true divided lite, and all joinery is mortise and tenon. Due to the current use of the buildings, all sash were fixed in place. Specialized Property Services performed the design, manufacturing, restoration, and installation of all the windows. The performance period was December 2019 – May 2020.

Owner: Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District

Construction Manager: Lego Construction Company, Miami, FL

Subcontractor: Specialized Property Services, Inc.

Accoya wood windows provided by Accoya Manufacturer, Specialized Property Services.

Fort Norfolk was originally established as part of the first system of US fortifications, authorized by Congress in 1794. The original walls were earthen and supported with wood or brick. In 1807-1809 the fort was completely rebuilt with brick masonry and the seawalls were significantly reinforced. All of the buildings left today are from this period of construction, although many modifications have been made over the years. Fort Norfolk was garrisoned during the war of 1812 but saw no action. By the 1830s, the construction of Fort Monroe made Fort Norfolk Obsolete.

During the early part of the Civil War, the fort was occupied by the Confederacy, but they were quickly defeated and forced to evacuate the city and the fort. Under Union occupation, the fort was used to imprison captured Confederate soldiers. In 1923, the Army Corps of Engineers occupied the fort and used it as offices until construction of their new building directly South of the fort in 1983. Today, the fort is open or self-guided tours of the exterior and guided tours of the interiors by the Norfolk Historical Society. The Historical Society has also setup exhibits in buildings #2 and #4 presenting the history of Norfolk and the fort.