RETURN TO PRESS ROOM

2008 NEWS

“Fortifying the Post”
May 14, 2008

STATESVILLE — Experience the western colonial frontier with NC Provincial Soldiers Saturday, May 17th and Sunday, May 18th from 10am- 4pm at Ft. Dobbs State Historic Site in Statesville. See the face of history as it was over 250 years ago. Watch as soldiers begin construction of the defenses of Fort Dobbs as was done in the spring of 1756. Programming includes military drill and firing, artillery demonstrations and a Divine Service at 11:00 pm on Sunday with the reading of the Articles of War.

In the spring of 1756 soldiers in Captain Waddell's frontier company of provincials had spent the past winter in temporary shelters in what was then Rowan County. By May with newly allocated funds from the assembly they began work on their home for the next 6 years, Fort Dobbs. Soldiers will work on creating the outworks for an 18th century military installation in addition to practicing the skills of drilling, marching, and firing muskets and swivel guns.

Strategic Plan to be Unveiled May 19
May 7, 2008

STATESVILLE —A long-range strategic blueprint for Ft. Dobbs State Historic Site featuring the fort's planned reconstruction will be publicly presented Monday, May 19 at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the site in Statesville. The purpose of these two sessions is to give the Ft. Dobbs Strategic Planning Committee a chance to share its findings and recommendations for the site's future over the next ten years. A community-based group, the committee is inviting the public to come hear about plans for the reconstruction of the 1756 fort and the development of accompanying interpretive and educational programs.

In case of bad weather, the committee will present the plan at the Iredell County Government Center, Commissioners Meeting Room, 200 South Center St., Statesville. Following the two May 19 sessions, the plan will be publicly available at the Iredell County Library and at the fort itself as well as mounted at www.fortdobbs.org and www.coolspring.com. Through May 30, community members may post comments and suggestions regarding the plan at comments@coolspring.com.

The Ft. Dobbs Strategic Planning Committee includes the following members:

Louis Alexander-Iredell Historic Properties chair, Statesville
Susan Allred-Iredell Statesville Schools chief academic officer, Statesville
Ralph Bentley-Friends of Ft. Dobbs, Statesville
David Bradley-Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce president, Statesville
Chandler Bryan-Friends of Ft. Dobbs, Statesville
Ginger Finley-Neighborhood resident, Statesville
Martha Fowler-Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)-Ft. Dobbs Chapter, Statesville
Sandra Gordon-Friends of Ft. Dobbs, Cornelius
Bill Hicks-Cub Scouts, Mooresville
Beth Hill-Ft. Dobbs State Historic Site manager, Statesville
Steve Hill-Iredell Statesville Schools secondary education executive director, Statesville
Louise Huston-Ft. Dobbs State Historic Site former manager and neighborhood resident, Statesville,
Mike Johnson-Statesville City Council, Statesville
John Karriker-Gardner-Webb University president and neighborhood resident, Statesville
Bill Moose-Mitchell Community College history department, Statesville
Chuck Nantz-Neighborhood resident, Statesville
Edmund Pendrich-Statesville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Statesville
Bob Remsburg-N.C. Historic Sites western section chief, Locust
Ken Robertson-Iredell County Commission, Mooresville
Cecil Stallard-Statesville City Council, Statesville
Marin Tomlin-Downtown Statesville Development Corp., Statesville
Tina Williams-Success Institute, Statesville

Cool Spring Center President and Senior Facilitator Charles Page facilitated the strategic planning process that began in June 2006 and included public forums in January and February 2007. Led by Page, the committee spent more than 200 hours discussing the future of Ft. Dobbs. Based in Cleveland, N.C., Cool Spring Center is a consultancy firm specializing in helping corporations and non-profits with team-building and planning.

The strategic plan underpins the mission of Ft. Dobbs State Historic Site, which is to "preserve and interpret North Carolina's only French and Indian War fort." Centered around the theme of education, the plan includes sections on the site's development, programming, preservation, marketing/outreach and operations. The plan features the fort's reconstruction, accompanying interpretive proposals and educational programs.

French and Indian War to Be Recalled at Fort
March 10, 2008

STATESVILLE — Join thousands of other visitors at Ft. Dobbs State Historic Site on Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20 to hear cannons roar and muskets thunder as soldiers, Indians and civilians recall the 1754-1763 French and Indian War. The fourth annual "War for Empire" program will recall the epic struggle between England and France for control of North America.

Scheduled from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, the event will feature a recreated battle between North Carolina provincial soldiers and French and their allied Indians, which will was fought in 1758. The reenactment will be presented at 1:30 p.m. each day. Admission to all events is free.

Young and old alike will have a chance to immerse themselves in colony life of 250 years ago, when America (and North Carolina) was gripped by war. Visitors can inspect the artillery Britain was able to use against the fortresses of New France and learn about the men who led North Carolina provincial soldiers through these tumultuous times. Historical interpreters will recreate the American Indian war councils of the Cherokee as they decide whether to support the British campaign of 1758. Following the battle each day, one can even watch the fort's military surgeon treat a scalped soldier.

Other highlights will include "wagoneers" describing military transportation in the campaign of 1758, using an original 18th Century Conestoga wagon. Visit with the ordinary settlers who endured the hardships of a colony at war and see how human spirit endures. Period music will fill the air as children enjoy 18th century games and pastimes. Walk through the market faire or join in a typical divine service at 11 a.m. Sunday. On-going presentations will include military drills, military and civilian camps, blacksmithing, 18th century medical care, Cherokee camps, old-fashioned cooking and dishes typically eaten by the colonists, a hunters camp, artillery demonstrations, sutlers selling period wares and much more!

Guest lecturer Dr. David Dixon of Slippery Rock College will also present a talk on the war's 1758 Forbes campaign to capture the French stronghold Ft. Dusquene at what is now Pittsburgh. Today, historians mark 1758 as the year the French and Indian War turned in favor of the British Crown.

Official Fort Dobbs Signage Appears Along Area Interstates
March 10, 2008

STATESVILLE — The North Carolina Department of Transportation recently erected four brown guide signs for Fort Dobbs State Historic Site along area Interstates. Exit 150 on I-40 and Exit 54 on I-77 don the State Historic Site logo with the Fort Dobbs name. The signs are long awaited and will serve as an important means to guiding visitors to the State Historic Site.

Convention and Visitor's Bureau Libba Berrineau stated that "By Fort Dobbs receiving these brown Interstate signs, this will allow Fort Dobbs to attract a new person off of the heavily traveled I-40 and I-77. These signs will bring more attention to Fort Dobbs and Statesville's great history in the French and Indian War. The Convention and Visitor Bureau is very pleased to see this development."

Beth Hill, Fort Dobbs State Historic Site manager, anticipates the near 15,000 visitation figure from 2007 to grow in 2008 thanks to the signage. Many past Fort Dobbs visitors have learned about the site through the signage on Hwy 115 and 21. A recent survey showed over 30% of past visitors to the site visit due to the signage that is located on Hwy 115 and 21.

Hill said "It is a great opportunity to reach more people and engage them with the history of Fort Dobbs and North Carolina's role in the French and Indian War. It is long overdue and an occasion for our community and state to celebrate the increased attention to the Site."

History Meets Art!
March 7, 2008

STATESVILLE — Meet artist Robert Steele at the Frame Gallery, located at 110 W. Broad St., downtown Statesville, Friday, March 15th from 1-4pm.

Steele will sign and number his recent painting “Fort Dobbs 1756” prints which will be for sale at the Frame Gallery and at Fort Dobbs State Historic Site. Proceeds for print sales will go to the Friends of Fort Dobbs.

The painting will be on display at the Frame Gallery the evening of March 15th during the Downtown Art Crawl. The painting depicts North Carolina Provincial Soldiers at Fort Dobbs marching while others prepare a chevaux-de-fise near the Fort’s south door.

“Fort Dobbs 1756”, oil on canvas, 18 x 24 inches, was a gracious gift from Robert Steele to the Statesville community. Steele worked extensively with Fort staff in order to create the image based on the archaeological and written documentation of the Fort and the soldiers who served there.

Robert Gantt Steele has completed many commissions for publishing as well as for private collections. Recent projects include a commission from Smithsonian Magazine to illustrate the people and the atmosphere of a small town in France. He is now engaged in painting background scenes of an eighteenth century black burial ground for a museum in New York. His interest in music helped him create posters used for the promotion of Broadway shows such as “Showboat.”

Steele is a native of Statesville, NC. He was originally trained as an architect at North Carolina State and at the University of California, Berkeley. He studied art in Austria as a Fulbright scholar. He recently designed a new home for his family near San Francisco and is very active in the preservation of historic art and architecture.

Campaign Season Begins
March 5, 2008

STATESVILLE — Experience the western colonial frontier with North Carolina Provincial soldiers Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9, 10-4 pm at Fort Dobbs State Historic Site in Statesville. See the face of history as it was 250 years ago as soldiers prepared for the campaign season in the spring of 1758.

Armies of the 18th Century were generally inactive during the winter months as dirt roads turned to quagmires and soldiers clothing often proved inadequate to combat harsh cold and driving snow. As spring conditions warmed and dried the land, however, soldiers readied themselves for the opening of the year's campaign. In the spring of 1758 soldiers at Fort Dobbs under the command of Andrew Bailey were preparing for the campaign season and a long march to Pennsylvania where they anticipated expelling the French from the forks of the Ohio.

During the living history weekend, Fort Dobbs will bring to life the lives of the 1750s garrison through engaging and interactive programming. Join the men as they take advantage of the mild weather to make additions and repairs to their shelters and the Fort's defenses. Visitors will thrill at the pageantry of military drill and firing. Programming will also include camp life, cooking and woodworking. A Divine Service will be held at 11:30 am on Sunday.

Historic Interpreters to Don Indian Clothes for 1758 Campaign
January 25, 2008

STATESVILLE — Fort Dobbs living history volunteers will learn about the 1758 Forbes Expedition and military clothes that North Carolina soldiers wore during this British campaign in Pennsylvania. The campaign resulted in the Capture of Fort Du Quesne (now present day Pittsburgh) and turned the tide of war.

The workshop, scheduled for Saturday, January 26, will teach the volunteers how to make their kit and will begin Fort Dobbs' plans for brining to life the tumultuous year 1758 during the 250th commemoration of the military campaign.

Beth Hill, Fort Dobbs State Historic Site Manager, is excited about the Fort's plans for 2008. The workshop will serve as a springboard into the year's activities and events including War for Empire: 1758 scheduled for April 19-20, 2008. Exhaustive research has enabled site staff and nationally recognized curators of material culture to identify the North Carolina Provincial soldier's kit for the campaign.

As proposed by a young, George Washington, serving in the Virginia Provincial ranks, the "Indian dress" required soldiers to remove their coats and breeches and wear moccasins and blankets. The gear allowed soldiers to move more easily against the French, and also helped the British create a "shadow" of many Indian allies to intimidate the French.

Once complete, Fort Dobbs living history volunteers will wear their new gear for 2008 programming and special events. Hill said she is "pleased with the opportunity to add another nuance to the site's interpretive programming and bring to life the rich, almost exotic nature, of the French and Indian War - the War that determined the fate of North America and sowed the seeds of independence."

During the War, Fort Dobbs' commanding officer, Hugh Waddell, "dressed and acted like an Indian" according to the Royal Governor Arthur Dobbs in 1760. Waddell and his Segt. Rogers captured intelligence that led to the defeat of Fort Du Quesne in 1758. According to Hill "these men, our men from North Carolina, overcame tremendous odds with very limited resources to fight a monumental war. This is our story. This is our history. During this time we see a dramatic shift in military tactics which had a dramatic impact on how the Revolution was fought just a few years later."

Fort Dobbs' ambitious plans to highlight North Carolina's role in the French and Indian War, and in particular the 1758 Forbes campaign, include 2 major events and 5 additional living history weekends throughout the year and several off-site programs. The Garrison is particularly enthusiastic about participating in a program at Fort Ligonier, PA this fall where the North Carolina soldiers campaigned 250 years ago.