Fort Anderson (North Carolina)
Excavation
Lawrence Lee was the first to begin exploring and researching the land in 1951 where Brunswick Town and Fort Anderson once stood. He realized how historically valuable the land was. Because of him, the site was named a historic site. The family that owned Orton Plantation sold a majority of the land to the State Department of Archives and History for one dollar and the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina sold the land they owned for one dollar too. Seven years later, he directed the recovery of the site. From the excavation, many things were revealed. For example: Brunswick Town's streets and the foundations of houses. In 1958, Stanly South, a professional archaeologist, came to the site to work. Through the years, he and his team found artifacts, foundations of old structures, and around sixty archeological features.
In April 1967, the visitor center opened. Its purpose was to inform everyone on the history of Brunswick Town and Fort Anderson. Excavation was halted in 1968 due to North Carolina's Department of Cultural Resources stopping excavation in all state-owned parks. It was because of money issues that this occurred. This is still a problem even today.
Excavations today
Under the supervision of Professor Tom Beaman excavations have begun of the civil war barracks of the site. Peace College field school has helped excavated as well as the students of Summer Ventures, Wake Technical College, UNCW and many other volunteers. Ground breaking artifacts are still being found and Fort Anderson will continue to be excavated in the future.
Historic site
The site belongs to the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which operates the area as Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site. The visitor center features displays and an audiovisual program about both the colonial port Brunswick Town and the Civil War period Fort Anderson. Outdoor trails lead past exhibits and the excavated ruins of the fort and town.
In popular culture
This historical site has also been used as a set location for the Sleepy Hollow TV show, as parts of Purgatory, and the location of Methuselah's sword. The museum on site was also used in a scene.
References
- ^ "Historic Sites: Building a Confederate Fort". www.historicsites.nc.gov. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ Fonvielle, Chris Eugene (1999). Fort Anderson: Battle for Wilmington. Da Capo Press. p. 15. ISBN 9781882810246. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
Further reading
- Brunswick Town State Historic Site Manager. Oral Interview.
- Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr., Fort Anderson (Mason City, Iowa: Savas Publishing Company, 1999), 94-100.
- Encyclopedia of North Carolina, s.v. "Brunswick Town."
- Lawrence Lee. Book of Documents. Unpublished.
- Lawrence Lee, The History of Brunswick County North Carolina, 208
External links
- Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson - official site