The Fort at No. 4
4.6(293)google
5.0(2)yelp
FamilyOutdoorLive DemonstrationImmersiveEducationalMilitaryHistoric Building
Overview
The Fort at Number 4 was a mid-18th century stockade fortification protecting Plantation Number 4, the northernmost British settlement along the Connecticut River in the Province of New Hampshire until after the French and Indian War. It was located in the present-day town of Charlestown, New Hampshire. A recreation of the fort, dating to 1960, now functions as an open-air museum, and was added to the New Hampshire State Register of Historic Places in July 2020.
Practical Info
MonClosed
TueClosed
WedClosed
ThuClosed
Fri10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-3.5 hours
Best TimeBest visited from June to September, particularly during weekend live-action historical re-enactments. Step inside the wooden stockade fort around 10:30 AM; early morning brings out costumed historical interpreters demonstrating open-hearth cooking, musket firing, and black-smithing in pristine daylight conditions.
Getting ThereSituated on the Connecticut River at 267 Springfield Road, Charlestown. Drive via I-91, take Exit 7 (Vermont side) for NH-11 E across the river. Merge onto NH-12 N and follow the historical markers straight to the venue's wide, flat complimentary gravel lot directly outside the log stockade gates.
Travel Tips
- The open-air museum operates primarily on summer weekends and seasonal holidays; weekday access is blocked for student groups, so check reenactment schedules online.
- The historic wooden fort interior floods quickly after heavy rains; zero ADA ramps exist within the log structures, making standard sneakers mandatory for safety.
- Live black-powder musketry demonstrations create extreme decibel spikes; families with infants must utilize hearing protection and stand 15 meters back behind ropes.
Reviews
Positive
- This living history museum beautifully recreates 18th-century frontier settlement life, with well-preserved wooden fort structures.
- Costumed re-enactors are highly dedicated, and the live demonstrations of musket firing and black powder making are eye-opening.
- For anyone interested in pre-Revolutionary War history, this place is a hidden gem packed with rich educational value.
- The environment inside is remarkably peaceful and free from commercial hype, allowing you to quietly read every historical marker.
Heads up
- The overall scale of the fort is quite small; you can easily finish it in under an hour, making a long trip feel less worthwhile.
- If you don't catch a specific re-enactment day or live demo, just looking at empty wooden cabins can feel somewhat dry and boring.
- Signage and multi-language guide services are lacking, with most content relying on English text, less friendly to non-English speakers.
- The location is relatively remote, with very few dining or entertainment facilities nearby, leading to poor accessibility.