Special to IFN
The Friends of Fort Dobbs hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at Fort Dobbs State Historic Site in Statesville on May 2.
Officials from the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the Friends of Fort Dobbs Board of Trustees, Sen. Vickie Sawyer, Rep. Jeff McNeely, representatives of GL Wilson Building Co., and Iredell County commissioners celebrated the start of construction of a 3,700-square-foot visitor center, which is expected to open in early 2026.
DNCR Deputy Secretary Darin Waters congratulated the attendees for their hard work leading up to the groundbreaking. Director of State Historic Sites Michelle Lanier also thanked the Friends of Fort Dobbs and the Iredell County legislative team for working together to make the project possible.
“I wish every Friends organization could have the wonderful and productive relationships that you have with Senator Sawyer, Representative McNeely, and all five of your county commissioners,” Lanier said. “This demonstrates that good people working together can make great things happen.”
Friends of Fort Dobbs Chairman Ken Robertson expressed his appreciation for Sawyer’s support.
“There is no doubt in my mind the reason we are breaking ground today is because of Senator Sawyer,” he said. “She helped us several years ago to secure the funding for the design, and that was a big first step.”
Sawyer shared the credit for obtaining state funding for the project.
“The legislative team in Iredell all worked together, and that teamwork and collaboration made the difference,” she said.
Robertson also recognized former Rep. Rena Turner and Sen. Andrew Brock for their support of the earlier effort to reconstruct the fort.
Board of Commissioners Chairman Bert Connolly commented on the value the historic site brings to the community.
“The Iredell Board of Commissioners have supported Fort Dobbs educational programs for decades, long before the fort was rebuilt,” he said. “Our board recognizes the educational value and the economic value of this historic site. The expanded visitor center gift shop will enable ou-of-state tourists to leave more sales tax dollars in the county, and hopefully do the same when visiting local restaurants and other attractions.”
About the Friends of Fort Dobbs
The Friends of Fort Dobbs is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support Fort Dobbs State Historic Site in its efforts to preserve the site of Fort Dobbs and tell the story of North Carolina’s role in the French and Indian War. Visit www.fortdobbs.org.
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