The Brunswick Town-Fort Anderson State Historic Site in North Carolina will receive a $75,000 grant from the National Park Service for an archaeological assessment. The funding is part of the NPS Semiquincentennial Grant Program, which supports preservation projects in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
As per the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources website, Brunswick Town, established in 1726 as a colonial port and seat of government, has only been partially excavated. According to State Archaeologist Chris Southerly, the grant will help provide consistent data to manage and protect the site.
The assessment will use digital mapping, drone photography, and ground-penetrating radar to study material culture at the site, which faces risks from severe weather and coastal changes. North Carolina Historic Sites Director Michelle Lanier noted the project will help document Brunswick Town’s historical role.
The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources oversees the state’s historic sites, museums, parks, trails, and arts councils. The grant funding comes from revenue generated by Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases.
