Manteo, North Carolina – Here’s a little piece of history that I didn’t know about: the “Lost Colony” of Roanoke Island. Here was the FIRST English settlement in the Americas, dating from 1585 (more than 20 years before Jamestown!). The first English-American baby was born here – Virginia Dare – in 1587. The site of this settlement is part of the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.
Unfortunately, the colony struggled from the get-go, and the governor had to return to England for supplies. By the time he made it back, his 115 compatriots were gone. Disappeared. They were never able to figure out what happened to them. (Of course there are theories, but I won’t give them away.) There’s not a ton to see at the national historic site, but exhibits at the visitor center delve into the settlement’s backstory and the theories behind its disappearance. Nearby are the remains of the earthen fort which was constructed by colonists in 1585.
For a more active experience, Roanoke Island Festival Park is an indoor-outdoor living history museum on the Manteo waterfront. Climb aboard Elizabeth II, a model of a 16th-century sailing ship, to imagine the settlers’ voyage across the sea.
Or try your hand at woodworking, archery and other essential skills at the recreated settlement site. Costume-clad, role-playing staff are on hand to answer questions and engage with visitors.
Back at Fort Faleigh, the highlight of Manteo historical experiences is surely the long-running Tony-winning play, The Lost Colony. This extravagant musical dramatization features Native American dance, Elizabethan costumes and epic battle scenes. Unfortunately I missed the outdoor performance, which runs from late-May through August only. But I have bought into the hype: I am definitely coming back to see this classic.