Fort at 4 - Charlestown, New Hampshire

Experience Colonial Life at the Fort at 4 in Charlestown, NH

The Fort At Number 4 in Charlestown, NH is a fun and educational attraction both kids and adults will enjoy visiting. The Fort is a re-created fortified village that exists in what was the most northerly British settlement in colonial times. The many buildings and structures at the fort and live interpreters illustrate the history of the period and give visitors a chance to experience what life here was like in the mid-1700s.

The Fort at 4 was originally built by the British to provide protection against French and Indian aggressors. The gated village was successful at holding the French and Indians at bay, contributing to the British victory and their ensuing acquisition of Canada.

There are a variety of buildings to explore at the Fort at 4, including House and Lean-to residences, the Great Chamber entrance building. Stockades, barracks, the Watch Tower and the sallyport are some of the structures featured at the Fort.

The lean-tos at the Fort are recreations of the structures where townspeople with homes outside of the gated village would have lived. They are very simplistically built and feature dirt floors. As you tour the Fort at 4, you will learn about the families that resided in these lean-tos, such as the Killam and Hastings families. The Parker-Putnam lean-to exhibits artifacts from the Algonquin Native American tribes that traveled along established Native trails near the Fort.

The Houses at the Fort at 4 include detailed information about the residents and families who lived here as well as what their lives were like. You will learn about Lt. and Mrs. Parker and their families, David Farnsworth and some of the other original Fort settlers, and Captain Stevens who commanded the Fort until his death. The Willard House details the life of Moses Willard’s family and exhibits here focus on textiles of the 18th century.

During your tour of the buildings at the Fort at 4, you can enjoy hands-on experiences that bring history to life. You can try churning barter, learn to trade and barter, participate in 18th century games, and learn about crafting during the mid-1700s. Workshops, daily demonstrations, special events and programs for children are held at the Fort throughout the summer season.

There is an excellent Gift Shop on site at the Fort at 4 featuring books related to the history of the Fort and its history. New England and colonial-themed books are also on sale at the gift shop, as are clothing items and other souvenirs.