Inside the Cadet Chapel at West Point.
Talia Lakritz/Business Insider
I knew I was in the right place when I saw the tank outside the parking lot.Established by George Washington in 1778, West Point is the longest continuously garrisoned military installation in the United States. It is also home to the United States Military Academy at West Point, an elite, highly selective institution that trains future military leaders.West Point's storied history is especially resonant as America marks its 250th anniversary in July 2026. Amanda Bundt, tour manager at West Point Tours, told Business Insider that West Point "is one of the reasons we are a country.""We were here for all four years of the Revolutionary War fighting for our independence, so we have great honor in that aspect," Bundt said.West Point is an active military post and college, but some parts of the campus are open to the public through guided tours.I visited West Point in April to learn more about its Revolutionary War history and modern curriculum equipping soldiers for war. Take a look.
West Point, located about 50 miles north of New York City, played a key role in keeping the British at bay during the Revolutionary War.
A military map showing West Point in 1780.
