Battery Weed is a four-tiered 19th century fortification guarding the Narrows, the main approach from the Atlantic Ocean to New York City.

[2] The first fort on the site was built by the State of New York beginning in 1806, which was ready for service in 1808 though incomplete.

[2] By 1835 Forts Richmond and Tompkins had deteriorated to the point that they were declared unfit for use, and the next year the federal government began a decade-long process of purchasing them.

[7] At that time numerous new gun batteries were built near the fort under the Endicott Program for the Harbor Defenses of New York.

[8] Fort Wadsworth was an active military base until 1994, operated by the U.S. Navy for its final few years.

Battery Weed's interior is open to the public on park ranger escorted tours only, although its exterior can be viewed at all times.