Fort Condé marks 50th anniversary of reconstruction

The History Museum of Mobile will host the Living History Festival on Saturday, November 14, to mark the 50th anniversary of the fort's reconstruction. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Colonial Fort Condé. Organizers describe the 2026 edition as the largest celebration in the site's history.

Visitors will observe demonstrations of 18th-century military life, including musket firing and drill exercises. Historical groups from the region will perform these activities on the grounds. The festival also features immersive experiences that explain daily routines in colonial Mobile. Presenters will address specific questions regarding laundry, currency, and personal hygiene in the 1700s.

The program includes presentations by representatives from English, French, Spanish, and Native American communities. These groups will share traditions and cultural practices that shaped early Alabama. The exhibits aim to provide a direct look at the people who lived in the area during the colonial period.

Admission to the festival grounds is free. A separate fee applies if visitors choose to enter the adjacent History Museum of Mobile. If rain or other inclement weather occurs, the organizers will move the events indoors.

The original Fort Condé was built by French explorers in 1723. It served under various colonial powers and held names such as Fort Louis, Fort Charlotte, and Fuerta Carlota. Workers found remnants of the original structure in 1966 during the construction of the Wallace I-10 Tunnel. Those artifacts are now visible in Mardi Gras Park, facing Church Street.

The current replica opened in 1976 as part of the nation's bicentennial celebration. Builders reconstructed one-third of the original fort at four-fifths of its actual size. Guests can walk through exhibits containing recovered archaeological pieces or climb the fort walls to view the Mobile skyline.

Kyle Williams, Curator of Living History, is available for questions at 251-544-5480 or k.williams@historymuseumofmobile.com.