County history exhibits are featured, including Civil War diaries, photos, weapons, flags, currency and a USCT regimental roll. Admission is charged. After the fall of Fort Donelson, Fort Defiance was burned and abandoned prior to the capture of Clarksville. The recapture of the city by Confederate soldiers and local citizens in August 1862 renewed interest in the fort. It was captured again by Union forces, and the fort was commanded for the remainder of the war by Colonel Sander D. Bruce, for whom it was renamed.
Admission is free.
Built by the Confederates to control the Cumberland River, the fort was captured in February 1862 by the Union Army under the command of General Ulysses S. Grant. The victory secured Union control of the Cumberland River and caused the evacuation o Clarksville, Nashville and most of Middle Tennessee. Tour begins at the visitor center, which includes a museum. Admission is free. The house is the only original surrender structure remaining from the Civil War.