Last updated: January 16, 2026
England's First Home in the New World
Amongst the shallow blue waters of the Outer Banks lies Fort Raleigh on Roanoke Island. Shaped by constant winds of change, Fort Raleigh has become a focal point of American history. From the first Algonquian-speaking people to the first English colonies, from formerly enslaved people starting anew to an inventor testing new radio technology, this island continues to be a place to forge new paths.
Field Trips
Bringing your class to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site can be a rewarding experience!
Ranger Programs at Fort Raleigh
Looking for a Ranger Program, check out our Calendar!
Roanoke Island Before Colonization
Explore the voyages, events, people, and clues about the Lost Colony and the mystery 430 years in the making.
The Civil War and Freedmen's Colony
After the Battle of Roanoke Island in 1862, a Freedmen's Colony was established for those who were formerly enslaved.
Fort Raleigh in the 20th Century
From early radio experiments to the creation of the longest-running outdoor drama, Fort Raleigh continued to make history in the 1900s.