Special to IFN

The N.C. Division of State Historic Sites has been awarded $114,500 to acquire five acres of land adjacent to the Fort Dobbs State Historic Site in Statesville.

This funding, provided by the N.C. Land and Water Fund, will support the site’s continued preservation and enhance its ability to offer an authentic representation of frontier life during the years 1754-1763.

“Landscapes, along with our historic structures, are integral to our understanding of how people lived and worked in the past. We extend our sincere thanks to the North Carolina Land and Water Fund for this gift, which guarantees the long-term stewardship and preservation of this important property,” said Michelle Lanier, director of the Division of State Historic Sites.

This new acquisition will allow the Fort Dobbs State Historic Site to expand and offer an even more engaging historical experience for visitors. In addition to preserving open grassland and protecting significant archaeological resources, it will also safeguard important viewsheds that are integral to the site’s historical interpretation of the French and Indian War in North Carolina.

About The Fort Dobbs State Historic Site

The Fort Dobbs State Historic Site is the only North Carolina State Historic Site that represents North Carolina’s link to the French and Indian War, a global war for empire that crossed five continents, lasted nearly a decade, and sowed the seeds for independence. The site welcomes 19,000 annual visitors and features a full-scale replica of a log blockhouse fort, a visitor center, picnic shelters, and walking trails with historical waysides. The site is located at 438 Fort Dobbs Road in Statesville. For more information, visit https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/fort-dobbs or call (704) 873-5882.