Fort Raleigh National Historic Site in Manteo, NC
The Outer Banks, a magnificent combination of mesmerizing beachfront and four solid centuries of ancient history; this place certainly is a vacationer’s paradise, offering all one would look for in a place where he’d like to spend some days in peace while on holiday. And if you are a history lover too, then the Outer Banks will undoubtedly be a dream come true for you.
Suppose you’re much into history and would love to discover the birthplace of the unique European settlements in the Americas. In that case, you must visit Fort Raleigh National Historic Site when you visit North Carolina and the Outer Banks. Even the visitor’s center at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site highlights some genuinely unique antique artifacts excavated during the 1580s, and now that’s some time back.
National Park Service manages Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. It is the original site of the Lost Colonists' doom - those who simply disappeared from the face of this year some 400 years ago and the very same whose fate is still a big mystery for historians and renowned archaeologists from the world over.
If you’d like to go back in time and take the front seat to witness America’s share of enduring mysteries, a visit to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is undoubtedly necessary. There are sites you would love to explore, the Lost Colony being the starter only.
The Queen’s Rose Garden and Elizabeth Gardens feature the period statues, which will help you uncover a vast and unique portion of the tumultuous yet rich past that Outer Banks has enjoyed for years.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site is open year-round from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm except for Christmas Day. You can visit the Visitor’s Center and get an in-depth introduction to the site's history, dating back from the Lost Colonists to the beginning of the Freedmen’s Colony that settled on the Roanoke Island some three centuries ago.
You can also watch a 17-minute video that will recap the entire story of the mysterious Lost Colony and the efforts that the archaeologists from around the world have made to discover the truth. You can also check out the old artifacts on display, many of which are the actual exhibits uncovered from original settlements situated a few yards away from the Visitor’s Center.
If you’re a real historical fan, you might also like to enjoy the landmark drama staging the Lost Colony story at the Waterside Theater within the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. The theater has a wooden and canopied stage, similar to those from the Elizabethan era. There are tall pilings made of wood and a mesmerizing waterfront backdrop for your liking too.