CHARLESTOWN, N.H. – On the banks of the Connecticut River, The Fort at No. 4 has always been more than a collection of palisades and buildings. It is a place where stories live – stories of courage, conflict, cooperation, and everyday survival on one of colonial New England’s most contested frontiers. In 2026, The Fort is stepping confidently into a new chapter, one defined by expanded programming, revitalized exhibit spaces, and a renewed invitation to the surrounding community to help shape the future of this historic site.
Founded on the site of the northernmost British fortification in the Connecticut River Valley, The Fort at No. 4 has long served as a bridge between past and present. For generations, visitors have come to walk the grounds, hear musket fire echo against the hills, watch meals prepared over open hearths, and encounter history not as something distant, but as something lived. Now, with a full calendar of events and ambitious plans underway, 2026 promises to be one of the most dynamic seasons in The Fort’s history.
At the heart of The Fort’s work is a commitment to making history accessible, engaging, and meaningful. The upcoming 2026 season reflects months of planning and collaboration aimed at deepening interpretation while broadening appeal. Programs have been carefully designed to serve families, educators, reenactors, scholars, and casual visitors alike, while also creating space for experimentation, creativity, and community voices.
The year begins in February, with “Midwinter at No. 4: A Day of Winters Past” on Saturday, Feb. 21. Winter was one of the most demanding seasons for colonial families and garrison communities. This program highlights how people endured cold, hunger, isolation, and uncertainty, using period skills and ingenuity, and how they enjoyed their lives and the close company of each other. Fires burn low in hearths, stories are told, and visitors gain a new appreciation for the resilience required simply to survive a northern New England winter.
In early March, The Fort reaches beyond its walls to participate in the Colonial Trade Fair in Dover, New Hampshire, on March 7 and 8. Events like this strengthen regional connections and bring awareness of the Fort’s mission to broader audiences, reinforcing its role as a key player in New England’s living history community.
April brings Clash of Cultures weekend on April 11 and 12, marking a pivotal moment in the season. Designed specifically for those curious about reenacting or volunteering, this immersive program explores the cultural intersections and conflicts of the 18th-century frontier. It offers prospective volunteers a hands-on introduction to what it means to interpret history at The Fort, while also providing thoughtful context for the complex relationships between Native peoples, European settlers, and imperial powers.
Opening weekend, May 2 and 3, celebrates the official start of the Fort’s public season. The air fills with movement as interpreters return, exhibits reopen, and the grounds once again come alive with activity. Opening weekend is as much a homecoming as it is a kickoff, a reminder that the Fort is sustained by people who care deeply about preserving and sharing its stories.
Education and skill-building take center stage in mid-May, with the hearth cooking class with Becky Hendricks, on May 16 and 17. These popular classes connect visitors directly with the rhythms of 18th-century domestic life. Cooking over an open hearth requires patience, precision, and experience, and participants leave not only with new culinary skills, but also a deeper understanding of daily life in the past.
Later in the month, “Original Rendezvous,” from May 22-24 brings together traders, reenactors, and history enthusiasts for a weekend that celebrates commerce, craftsmanship, and cross-cultural exchange. Rendezvous events capture the texture of frontier life, where goods, ideas, and cultures met under often challenging circumstances.
One of the most ambitious undertakings for 2026 is a season-long exploration of the American Revolution, the “Echoes of 1776 Revolutionary War” series, a multievent exploration of the Revolutionary era as experienced on the frontier. Rather than focusing solely on battles, this series examines the war through personal, social, and moral lenses. This series will be featured on the last Saturday of the month, May through October.
The series begins May 30, with “Family Dynamics: Patriot vs. Loyalist,” exploring how political allegiance fractured households and communities. On June 27, “Hardships, Shortages & Adaptations” examines how scarcity shaped daily decisions and survival strategies. July 25’s “A Call to Muster” focuses on mobilization and militia service, while Aug. 29’s “Sons & Daughters of Liberty” highlights youth involvement and generational change. As the year progresses, the series continues with “Voices of Freedom” on Sept. 26, Women of the Revolution from Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, and “Allies and Frontiers” on Nov. 7. Together, these programs create a layered, human portrait of the Revolutionary era, one that resonates with modern audiences grappling with questions of identity, loyalty, and sacrifice.
Family-friendly and youth-focused programming remains a cornerstone of The Fort’s mission. “Allies & Adversaries: The French & Indian War” at The Fort at No. 4, on June 6 and 7, provides context for the conflicts that shaped the region before the Revolution, while Children’s Living History Day on July 18 invites younger visitors to learn through play, exploration, and hands-on activities.
The Fort also embraces creative partnerships, hosting River Theater’s production of “Charlotte’s Web” across two weekends: June 13 and 14, and June 20 and 21. By combining literature, performance, and historic setting, the Fort reaches new audiences and reinforces its role as a cultural hub.
Summer programming continues with John Maynard Day, on July 4 and 5, commemorating 280 years since Maynard’s map creation and 250 years since the Declaration of Independence. This event blends scholarship, celebration, and reflection, reminding visitors that the stories of independence are rooted in specific places and people.
August brings specialized and culturally significant programs, including Artillery School with Jon Soule on Aug. 1 and 2, and “Abenaki at the Trading Post & Pequawket Garrison” on Aug. 8 and 9. These events deepen interpretive accuracy, and center Indigenous perspectives that are essential to understanding the region’s past.
As autumn arrives, The Fort’s programming shifts to reflection, transition, and tradition. “Return to No. 4: Revolutionary War,” on Sept. 12 and 13, brings a reenactment of the Revolutionary War as it might have been on the banks of the Connecticut River, while “Out of Time,” a unique timeline event on Sept. 26, allows visitors to move through multiple historical periods in a single day.
October features “Homestead 1777” on Oct. 10, and the ever-popular Harvest Dinner on Oct. 17, a special ticketed event that blends food, history, and community. The season concludes with Native Heritage Weekend on Nov. 7 and 8, honoring Indigenous histories and living cultures with respect and depth.
Behind the scenes, just as much energy is being devoted to updating exhibit spaces as to expanding programming. In 2026, visitors will notice improved interpretive signage, refreshed interiors, and exhibits designed to be more interactive and inclusive. The goal is not to modernize for its own sake, but to make The Fort’s stories clearer, richer, and more engaging for today’s audiences. Exhibit updates focus on daily life, material culture, and the diverse experiences of people who lived, worked, and traveled through No. 4. These improvements are guided by current scholarship, and informed by feedback from visitors, educators, and reenactors.
None of this work happens without people. Volunteers are the lifeblood of The Fort at No. 4, and 2026 represents an open invitation to the community to get involved.
Volunteering at The Fort is not just about donning period clothing – though that’s certainly part of the fun. Volunteers assist with interpretation, education, maintenance, gardening, events, research, and visitor services. Whether someone can commit to a full season, or just a few days, there is a role for nearly every interest and skill set.
For many, volunteering becomes a way to connect more deeply with local history, meet like-minded people, and contribute to something meaningful. For others, it is a chance to learn new skills, from historic crafts to public speaking. Most importantly, it is a way to ensure that The Fort remains a vibrant, living place, rather than a static monument.
As volunteer staff at The Fort at No. 4 look toward the 2026 season, the sense of momentum is unmistakable. With expanded programming, renewed exhibit spaces, and a growing community of supporters, The Fort is poised to continue its mission of education, preservation, and engagement.
History lives here; your history lives here, not only in the stories of the past, but in the people who choose to keep those stories alive. In 2026, the gates are open wider than ever. Whether as a visitor, volunteer, or supporter, The Fort invites everyone to step inside and be part of its next chapter. Keep an eye on our website, www.fortat4.org, or our Facebook, @fortat4, for the most updated events and schedules.