Fort Dobbs State Historic Site has opened a major new permanent exhibit exploring daily life on North Carolina’s colonial frontier, featuring dozens of newly discovered artifacts and interactive displays.

The exhibit, titled “Edge of Empire: Life at Fort Dobbs, 1756-1764,” includes musket balls, pottery shards, and personal items recovered during recent archaeological excavations at the site. A recreated soldier’s quarters allows visitors to experience the cramped conditions of frontier garrison life.

Site manager Thomas Harwell said the exhibit fills a significant gap in telling the region’s story. “Fort Dobbs was the westernmost outpost of British colonial defense in North Carolina. This exhibit brings that history to life in ways we’ve never been able to before.”

The exhibit is free with regular site admission. Fort Dobbs is located on Fort Dobbs Road, just west of downtown Statesville, and is open Wednesday through Saturday.