The monument to Virginia Dare and the Roanoke colony was dedicated by the Roanoke Island Memorial Association on November 24, 1896. This stone monument is the first official commemoration on-site. It is not the gravesite of Virginia Dare; the location of her remains are unknown.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore preserves and protects over 70 miles of coastline on the Outer Banks, offering an array of recreational opportunities as well as preserving habitat for many coastal animal species. For more information, please visit the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/caha">official website</a> or <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nps-cape-hatteras-national/id980803877?mt=8">download the official mobile app</a> !
The Dough family arrived on Roanoke Island at the turn of the nineteenth century. By 1849, Thomas A. Dough obtained a land grant from the State of North Carolina legitimizing ownership of the Dough homestead on the north end of the island. Originally including a house, outbuildings, farmland, and a family cemetery, the cemetery is the only remaining element of the homestead, now part of Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.
This earthwork was built by the English during the expeditions to Roanoke Island in the late 1500s. However, why the earthwork was built and when it was built remains a bit of a mystery. What is known is that Ralph Lane, the expedition leader of the 1585 expedition, was familiar with and had built similar earthworks to this one. Also, that artifacts pertaining to metallurgical work were found just to the west of the earthwork, further reinforcing the leading idea that this ea
The Elizabethan Gardens are a reproduction of a 16th-century English garden run by a non-profit group. Operating hours vary and an admission fee is charged. For more information, <a href="http://elizabethangardens.org/">visit their website</a> .
Etheridge Point provides a nice, sheltered soundside beach for recreation. Etheridge Point also has some of the most expansive views of the Outer Banks.
US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt attended a performance of <strong>The Lost Colony</strong> during the drama's inaugural year on August 18, 1937 as part of a speaking engagement commemorating the 350th anniversary of the birth of Virginia Dare.
This memorial commemorates the freedom that formerly enslaved people found on Roanoke Island during the American Civil War, and the experimental freedmen's colony that existed on the island. The memorial is also part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. The Freedmen's Colony Of Roanoke Island 1862-1867A year after the Civil War began, Roanoke Island fell to Union forces. find "safe haven" on the Island.
The Eastern National Park Store in the Lindsay Warren Visitor Center at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, is a great place to find merchandise that helps tell the story of the Lost Colony and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.
At the west end of the Freedom Trail and the multi-use path along US-264/64 is a small picnic area and access to the Croatan Sound. A parking lot is available for cars coming from US-264/64.
The Freedom Trail begins at the southwest end of the Elizabethan Gardens parking lot and ends 1-¼ miles later at the West End Picnic Area on Croatan Sound.
The Freedom Trail begins at the West End Picnic Area on the northwest end of Roanoke Island and ends 1-¼ miles later at the southwest end of the Elizabethan Gardens parking lot.
Due to the discovery of copper nuggets, charcoal, antimony ore, furnace bricks, and related items, archeologists believe the metallurgy workshop of Joachim Gans and Thomas Hariot was located immediately west of the English earthwork. One theory is that the earthwork was constructed as a means of defending the metallurgy workshop.
If you were standing here with Thomas Hariot in 1585, the view would be quite different than you see today. Back then, the island's shoreline was much farther out in the sound. Over the past 400 years, changing river currents, rising sea levels, and storms blowing from the northeast have eaten away at the north end of Roanoke Island, pushing the shoreline back 1,500 to 3,000 feet.
Located under majestic trees-such as live oaks and loblolly pines-are several picnic tables where you can enjoy a meal, relax for a moment, or take in the forest atmosphere.
Operated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Wildlife Refuges Visitor Center houses exhibits on eleven national wildlife refuges and one national fish hatchery. Admission is free. For more information, <a href="https://www.fws.gov/ncgatewayvc/">visit their website</a> .
During late January, 1862, a Federal land-sea expedition assembled at Hatteras Inlet to take Roanoke Island and capture control of the North Carolina Sound region. This force was under the joint command of General Ambrose Burnside and navy Flag-Officer Louis Goldsborough.After several delays due to bad weather, the Union fleet, consisting of numerous troop transports and more than 20 war vessels, arrived at the southern end of Roanoke Island. On February 7, 1862, Federal wars
The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, operated by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, displays an array of aquatic life. There is an admission fee. For more information, <a href="http://www.ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island">visit their website</a> .
This is the administrative office for three National Park Service sites on the Outer Banks: Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Wright Brothers National Memorial, and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.
The ranger program amphitheater is located ten yards southwest of the reconstructed English earthwork. Ranger programs are offered during the spring, summer, and early fall. Please check the events section to determine if a ranger program is available for your visit.
Located on the waterfront in downtown Manteo and operated by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Roanoke Island Festival Park houses a living history museum. Included are reproductions of Algonquian dwellings and a reproduction of the Elizabeth II, a ship that was part of the English expeditions to the New World. Operating hours vary and admission is charged for certain sites and events.
The Roanoke Island Multi-Use trail is a 7 mile paved trail that connects the northern end of the island with downtown Manteo. Visitors can access this trail from Fort Raleigh National Historic Site by parking at the Lindsay Warren Visitor Center and walking down the entrance road to the park sign.
A Strange New LandIn the late 1500s, Roanoke Island and London had very little in common. Imagine what it was like for Thomas Hariot when he first set foot on this strange new land. New people, new plants, new animals- everything was truly "new." Is this land new to you? Look carefully and listen closely as you walk this trail. What strikes you most about this foreign land? A Very Costly VentureAlthough supported by Queen Elizabeth, the Roanoke Voyages were privately funded.
This is where you can purchase tickets for <strong>The Lost Colony</strong> drama, which runs from late May to late August every year. <a href="http://thelostcolony.org/">Visit the Roanoke Island Historical Association website</a> for details.
From the Lindsay Warren Visitor Center, walk down the path towards the Waterside Theater and bear left once you leave the plaza. The picnic tables will be beneath the trees on the left.
Originally constructed in 1937 to house the inaugural performance of Paul Green's symphonic drama <strong>The Lost Colony</strong> , the Waterside Theatre has been rebuilt three times. It was damaged by a fire in 1947 and two hurricanes in 1944 and 1960. The drama was not shown from 1942 to 1945 on account of World War II, and was cancelled in 1947 due to the fire.<br /><br />Since 1947, it has been performed every summer.
Roanoke Island has been the scene of historical dramas for more than four centuries. Algonquians, Europeans, and African Americans have all played their parts here.First here were the Carolina Algonquian, who farmed the land and fished the sounds. In 1584, English explorers sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh arrived here. It was the first of three voyages in England's attempt to colonize North America.
