2019 Fort Dobbs War for Empire French and Indian War Reenactment
Join us for the annual Fort Dobbs War for Empire French and Indian War Reenactment on April 6-7, 2019 at the Fort Dobbs State Historic Site in Statesville, North Carolina. During Fort Dobbs’ largest event of the year, join the soldiers, settlers, and American Indians who inhabited North Carolina’s colonial frontier and learn about their lives and struggles through encampments, trades demonstrations, and tactical demonstrations. The centuries-old animosities between England and France played out in the New World in the French and Indian War (1754-1763). Fort Dobbs State Historic Site will recapture the struggles of that time during the “War for Empire” program, in the largest French and Indian War re-enactment in the Carolinas that also will honor a Cherokee leader.
Fort Dobbs War for Empire French and Indian War Reenactment
Tensions spiraled into war with shifting allegiances among the British, French and dozens of American Indian tribes, principally the Cherokee in western North Carolina. “Fort Dobbs War for Empire French and Indian War Reenactment” will examine the different people living on the North Carolina frontier in the 1750s and offer a glimpse of frontier life.
During our Fort Dobbs War for Empire French and Indian War Reenactment, trade demonstrations will include stone carving, spinning, cooking and woodworking; skills necessary for day-to-day survival. Visitors will meet soldiers, American Indians and civilians from the 18th century as the French and Indian War history is illustrated with re-enactors. Encampments, trades and crafts, musical performances and weapons demonstrations will be entertaining and enlightening as this history comes to life. Battle re-enactments at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:00 p.m. Sunday will be a program highlight. Vendors will offer reproduction period merchandise.
The educational program at this state historic site gives life to North Carolina’s past experiences and traditions and demonstrates the value of living history to students and adults.
War of Empire Features:
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- The Battle of Fort Dobbs each day at 1:30 p.m.
- Costumed interpreters portraying provincial soldiers and Cherokee warriors
- 1st person presentation of historical figures
- Ongoing demonstrations of 18th century military, civilian and American-Indian camp life
- Scholarly lectures each day at 3 p.m.
- 18th century market fair
- Music, period entertainment, 18th century food and much more!
For more information, please call (704) 873-5882 or visit www.fortdobbs,org. Fort Dobbs is the only state historic site dedicated to the period of the French and Indian War (1754-1763), also known as the Seven Years’ War. It is North Carolina’s only link to a war for empire that crossed five continents and lasted nearly 10 years. Fort Dobbs is within the Division of State Historic Sites administered by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Admission: $4.00; children under age 5 are free.
Hours:
Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m.
Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Reenactors: Anyone wishing to participate in the Fort Dobbs War for Empire Reenactment needs to register. Reenactor Registration Form
Location:
Fort Dobbs State Historic Site
438 Fort Dobbs Road
Statesville, NC 28625
Directions: From Interstate 40, take either US 21 North (exit 151) or NC 115 North (exit. 150). From US 21, turn left onto Fort Dobbs Road. From NC 115, veer right onto S. Chipley Ford Road, then turn right onto Fort Dobbs Road.
For More Information: Call 704-873-5882; Email: info@fortdobbs.org
History of Fort Dobbs
Fort Dobbs was the only permanent frontier provincial fort in the colony of North Carolina. Construction began in late 1755 and was completed one year later. It served as the military headquarters for the frontier company (approximately fifty men) as well as a safe-haven for settlers. The fort was attacked on the night of February 27, 1760 when more than 70 Cherokees were repelled. The garrison suffered two men wounded, as well as having one colonial boy killed. The Cherokee were reported to have lost 10-12 men killed and wounded. By the end of 1761, the British had essentially won the war and only thirty troops remained at the fort. Colonial leaders disbanded the troops and removed all the supplies of the garrison as settlement moved far west of the fort. The neglected fort was in ruins by 1766.
Reconstruction of Fort Dobbs
Soon after protecting the site of Fort Dobbs in 1909, the Daughters of the American Revolution recognized the need to reconstruct the blockhouse. Following initial archaeological investigations in the 1960’s and ’70’s the site became a State Historic Site, but with several key questions about the original structure still unanswered, no immediate reconstruction effort was planned.[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Read More”]
In 2003, the reincorporated non-profit Friends of Fort Dobbs took up the vision of then-site manager Beth Hill to begin an effort to rebuild. More than a decade of hard work ensued. The Friends undertook a fundraising campaign to fund the effort and co-operated with State officials, historians, historic building specialists, architects, and noted archaeologist Dr. Larry Babits to develop feasible, historically sound plans and the capital needed to make Fort Dobbs stand on the banks of Fourth Creek once again.
Following several other facility improvements to the site, ground was broken for the new fort in August of 2016. A mix of modern and 18th Century construction techniques have been employed to meet the challenge of building a structure that must simultaneously meet modern building standards while also approximating an entirely hand-build piece of military engineering from 260 years ago. We hope, with your support, to have Fort Dobbs open as a living history exhibit on a grand scale by early 2019![/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Fort Dobbs War for Empire French and Indian War Reenactment in April at the Fort Dobbs State Historic Site in Statesville, North Carolina.
Tags: Fort Dobbs War for Empire French and Indian War Reenactment, Fort Dobbs War for Empire, War for Empire, French & Indian War Reenactment