Fort Dobbs State Historic Site — Attraction in Statesville

Each piece of Fort Dobbs was crafted by hand using local materials, and this is emulated in the fact that now, as they are rebuilding the fort, the workers are crafting each piece by hand using tools similar to those that would be used in 1756, when the fort was first built. I found the fact that everything was so exquisitely remade to be quite intriguing, as I had always assumed that people who are rebuilding historical sites would normally only use modern tools. In addition to the extreme attention to historical details being put into the reconstruction of the fort, the guide was amazingly knowledgeable and knew quite a bit about not only the fort, but about every miniscule detail about the time period. I was able to point to anything and the tour guide would tell me exactly what it was and then give me a lengthy synopsis of every element of it. In addition to the guide’s immense knowledge, he wore a full British uniform and when posing for pictures around the fort, he said that I should turn my calf out, as calf muscles were a valued in the time period. There were many structures surrounding the fort that had been built, including a garden, a bread oven, some barracks, among other structures. The guide knew every single detail of each of these structures, even going so far as to explain how they were all built and why the structures were built the way they were. The most interesting structure, besides the fort itself, was the much smaller barracks next to it. The barracks had four wooden bunks and one ladder, but was made to hold multiple men on a single bunk, and to keep them warm, a fireplace was placed inside the building.The tour was apparently not a typical one, and lacked a pre-set plan on how to go about it, but this actually made it quite enjoyable. I am honestly considering returning to the site once the fort is fully reconstructed (the guide said it would be late this summer), as the tour was such an amazing experience. The drive from my home to Fort Dobbs is a long six hours, but I fully believe that the travel is...

My family and I spent the whole day here and it was the most amazing thing I ever seen. I learned so much, even our children 7 and 12 enjoyed it. Parking is very simple, for entrance it's just a very small donation. Being from a different state to learn about a piece of NC history, this place is a place you got to check out. The people here are very kind people. Very knowledgeable about the history. They are in costume and can teach you lots but not just talking, demonstrating. You can also get pics with them. All I did was walk up to them and ask if I could take a pic with them. I am not sure if everyone there will say yes I didn't ask every one. But don't be scared to like I said they are very nice people. They have regular bathrooms and not out houses incase anyone wants to know. I know I wanted to know at first lol. kids have so much room to run around and have fun. They have a mini park that is fenced in for little ones to play in. it's has to picnic tables. They also have a little pavilion near the little park area that has a detached restroom. Across from there is a hotdog stand which is so yummy! They also sell chips, soda and water. Fort Dobbs is very clean and taken care of. they have a little gift shop that has souvenirs. there is so much more. you just got to check it out... **oh I just want to let you know that that is a wooden toy our son got from the gift shop here. very durable...

There is so much in this tiny fort! The staff are very knowledgeable and interesting. The fort itself and everything in it are reproductions, so you can handle everything that isn't a weapon. Want to lie down on a straw mattress on a soldier's bunk? No problem. Handle a musket ball? Go for it. Wear a soldier's coat? Yep, you can do that. Hold the cooking pots? Sure.

We just got sucked into the history. We spent far longer than we thought we would and didn't regret a second of it. Whether touring the fort or chatting about pottery, spinning, blacksmithing and other crafts with the staff, we were having too much fun to rush.

I've been to a lot of forts, but never one this interactive. I'm amazed at how much they've done, and are doing, with what was a small, fairly unimportant site.

If you have any interest in history, crafts or how people used to live, go!

The grounds are free. Tours of the fort (the only way to get inside of it) do have a fee, but are well worth the cost.

The site is not very accessable. The ground can be uneven. The fort has stairs to the...