On my way home from an engagement session in Connecticut this summer, I made an unplanned stop at Fort Nathan Hale in New Haven. I had a roll of Kentmere 200 loaded in my Bronica SQ-A, and what better place to finish it off than at a site layered with history?
Walking around, you can’t help but feel the weight of time. The old bunkers carved into the landscape almost disappear into the earth, grass and shrubs reclaiming what was once built for defense. The silence here is striking—broken only by the sound of flags snapping in the wind and the occasional visitor’s footsteps.
One of the highlights of my visit was meeting a woman who runs the small shop by the entrance. Her name escapes me now, but her presence was unforgettable. She had an endless supply of stories about the fort, rattling off fact after fact with the enthusiasm of someone who has lived alongside this history for years. Listening to her speak brought the fort to life in a way no plaque or sign could.
I also met another visitor—a history buff in her 60s who had traveled a long way (from well down south, as I recall) to see sites like this one. Her dedication to visiting historical places was inspiring, and it reminded me that these forts are more than relics; they’re touchstones for people who want to connect with the past.
Photographing Fort Nathan Hale on Kentmere 200 was a fitting choice. The film’s classic tones matched the timeless feel of the place, while the Bronica SQ-A’s square format framed the fort’s structures and details in a way that felt balanced and deliberate. From the American flags waving proudly in the breeze to the shaded paths that lead you through the grounds, each frame carried a quiet, enduring strength.