Established by Governor Spotswood in 1714 as a fur trading center and an experimental Indian School, Fort Christanna, situated on a hill above a bend in the Meherrin River in Brunswick County, is revered by local citizens and Native Americans whose ancestors once occupied this sacred historical site.
Funded by on-going annual Christmas auctions and plant sales, The Brunswick Garden Club has committed assistance to this outstanding restoration project. Initiated by the Brunswick County Historical Society and the Brunswick/Lake Gaston Tourism Association, Phase 1 of this community effort to create a historical park at the site of Fort Christanna has been completed.
Receipt of the Common Wealth Award would allow The Brunswick Garden Club to create a teaching/seating area at the site, based on the plan of an “Indian Town” described in John Fontaine’s 1716 journal. Rustic authenticity is being implemented through the design of cement tree stumps for seating and a lectern. Appropriate signage is being placed throughout the fort area. Student groups and other visitors, who come to experience its historic significance, will benefit from this seating/lecture site enhanced by nature’s own beauty. Native Americans will be beneficiaries of an authentic and sacred setting for annual ceremonies to honor their ancestors.
Deprived of its agricultural and industrial life-lines, effective sources of funding in the area are limited. Therefore, our efforts would benefit substantially from the Common Wealth Award to assist with this historic restoration, beautification and educational project. We sincerely seek your support.
