Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, Roanoke Island - North Carolina
Fort Raleigh is named for Sir Walter Raleigh and preserves the location of the very first English settlement in America in 1587. Located on the northern end of Roanoke Island it was a must see location for Sarah and I after visiting the Outer Banks earlier in the day.
Sarah examines the Fort Raleigh earthworks unimpressed by the construction until she realises that this is only the foundation of a wooden pillar fort that would have stood on the mounds.
Turning a corner in the park and running into this building left me thinking that it wouldn't look out of place in Stratford-upon-Avon, it is in fact a replica created to bring atmosphere to the waterside theatre that sits behind it and plays host to plays about the 'Lost Colony' of Roanoke.
The stage is a great set up and faces an auditorium that is unfortunately made of plastic seats and modern concrete steps. I did my best to deliver the details of the Lost Colony to my audience of 1.
In 1587 a group of around 120 men, women and children established the first English colony in America, their ship returned to England for supplies but was delayed in its return due to the impending war with Spain, when the ship finally returned with supplies in 1590 the entire colony was gone and left no clue as to what happened. With that colony was the very first English child born in America named Virginia Dare. Speculation continues as to what happened but the truth is, we'll never know and sometimes history is all the better for it's secrets.
In 1587 a group of around 120 men, women and children established the first English colony in America, their ship returned to England for supplies but was delayed in its return due to the impending war with Spain, when the ship finally returned with supplies in 1590 the entire colony was gone and left no clue as to what happened. With that colony was the very first English child born in America named Virginia Dare. Speculation continues as to what happened but the truth is, we'll never know and sometimes history is all the better for it's secrets.
The site is also home to a large Victorian Garden proudly flying the English flag at the entrance, how could we resist, even with the small additional fee it is worth a visit.
The gardens themselves are very well executed and do bear that typical victorian garden look with box cut hedges surrounding flower beds and statues for centrepieces
I'm not convinced that this fits into the victorian garden theme but it is a wonderful addition to a garden being able to walk down to the shoreline in the shade of overhanging boughs
I'm pretty sure that by this stage the planners have given up on the victorian theme altogether but it doesn't really matter, it remains a beautiful garden and those waterside views make it all the better.
You can't get some people away from the waters edge, a penny for your thoughts Chizzer?
As we circle around the pathway we are returned to the victorian style with tight cropped lawns, benches and familiar plants and once again we are reminded of home.
I'm pleased that we dropped into Fort Raleigh and touched a little of our own history as well as that of America, this was the final stop on a fantastic day on the east coast of North Carolina.
I'm pleased that we dropped into Fort Raleigh and touched a little of our own history as well as that of America, this was the final stop on a fantastic day on the east coast of North Carolina.