Fort Christanna, Colonial fort with Native American school in Brunswick County, Virginia.
Fort Christanna is a colonial military outpost in Virginia built with a five-sided layout and blockhouses at key points around the perimeter. The site spreads across 3.5 acres and was equipped with cannons positioned to control the surrounding land.
Governor Alexander Spotswood founded Fort Christanna in 1714 to establish a defensive position against regional tensions involving Native American tribes. The fort also served as a place for peace negotiations and attempts to influence the Saponi and Occaneechee through education.
The school here was built to teach Native American children English and Christian beliefs, replacing their own cultural practices. This reflects how European colonists attempted to reshape the lives of the local indigenous population.
The site today is an archaeological excavation where visitors can see foundations and objects uncovered by researchers working on the location. To arrange a guided experience, contact the local tourism office for current access and tour availability.
The school actually operated here, meaning some of the colonists' earliest attempts to assimilate Native peoples were carried out in practice. Archaeological finds of writing tools and book fragments show that children truly learned to read and write at this location.
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