STATESVILLE — Pull on your boots and head out to the most authentic and diverse event of its kind, the 18th-Century Trade Faire at Ft. Dobbs State Historic Site in Statesville. Admission is free to North Carolina’s 18th-century frontier on Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More than 100 juried artisans and historic interpreters in colonial dress will demonstrate their trades and sell their wares while entertainers and musicians delight audiences with 18th-century amusements. At the site where soldiers once defended frontier settlers during the French and Indian War, visitors will have a chance to experience a vivid recreation of a lively and colorful colonial American marketplace and reenactments, military and Cherokee camps. Concessions will be available.
“Dedication to high standards of 18th-century authenticity is one of the major requirements for the historical interpreters, artisans and entertainers,” said Beth Hill, Site Manager. “We will have some of the most respected interpreters in the nation at the fifth annual Ft. Dobbs 18th-Century Trade Faire.”
As visitors shop, artisans will demonstrate their craft and explain the historic trades used to make items similar to those used by soldiers quartered at the fort in the mid-18th century when it sat on the edge of the western frontier.
Activities will highlight civilian life on the frontier and feature demonstrations of a printing press, bookbinding, joinery, and pottery including Westmoore Pottery of Seagrove, N.C. Visitors will have a chance to wander through colonial military and Cherokee camps; participate in cooking demonstrations, try their skill at colonial dance and play 18th-century games. The pageantry of arms will be highlighted through military drills and firing demonstrations. Throughout the weekend, visitors will also have a chance to play 18th-century cricket with Tom Melville, a nationally recognized author and cricket historian. Each day at 1:30 p.m., a reenactment of an April 1760 skirmish between Cherokee warriors and frontier militia will take place. A divine service like those the soldiers at Ft. Dobbs held will take place Sunday at 11 a.m.
In the 18th century, market “faires” featured streets filled with booths overflowing with fabric, metal wares, jewelry, toys, animals, food and second-hand clothes, among other goods. Faire-goers can also enjoy singing, dancing and even dramatic performances. Throughout this period, these gatherings played an important role in the lives of farmers, merchants, tradesmen and other residents of the frontier. Like today, everyone came to the “faire”. For more information on Ft. Dobbs and the trade “faire,” visit www.fortdobbs.org, call (704) 873-5882 or e-mail info@fortdobbs.org.
The role of Ft. Dobbs, one of 27 State Historic Sites, and North Carolina in the French and Indian War (1754-1763), the first true world war, make up an important chapter in North Carolina’s colonial history. Built in 1756, the fort was named for Royal Governor Arthur Dobbs and manned by provincial soldiers. It was garrisoned from 1756-1761, sheltering frontier settlers during the war and serving as the colony’s western frontier company headquarters. The fort was attacked February 27, 1760, when soldiers fought off more than 60 Cherokee.
Ft. Dobbs’ mission is to preserve and interpret the history of North Carolina’s only French and Indian War fort and is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., offering living history programs daily. The state historic site is located just one mile from I-77 and I-40 in Statesville. It is part of the Division of N.C. Historic Sites and Properties within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, the state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina’s arts, history and culture. For more information on Cultural Resources programs, visit www.ncculture.com.