Fort Branch Civil War Site
Fort Branch Civil War Site
  • Home
  • History
    • Why Rainbow Banks
    • Construction
    • Timeline of Events
    • General Branch
    • CSS Albemarle
  • Restoration
    • Restoring Fort Branch
    • Cannon Recovery
    • Fort Branch Tour
  • Re-enactment
    • Battlefield Re-enactment
    • Re-enactment Schedule
    • Re-enactor's Information
    • Re-enactment Photos
    • Christmas at Fort Branch
  • Events
  • Contact US
  • Links
  • More
    • Home
    • History
      • Why Rainbow Banks
      • Construction
      • Timeline of Events
      • General Branch
      • CSS Albemarle
    • Restoration
      • Restoring Fort Branch
      • Cannon Recovery
      • Fort Branch Tour
    • Re-enactment
      • Battlefield Re-enactment
      • Re-enactment Schedule
      • Re-enactor's Information
      • Re-enactment Photos
      • Christmas at Fort Branch
    • Events
    • Contact US
    • Links

  • Home
  • History
    • Why Rainbow Banks
    • Construction
    • Timeline of Events
    • General Branch
    • CSS Albemarle
  • Restoration
    • Restoring Fort Branch
    • Cannon Recovery
    • Fort Branch Tour
  • Re-enactment
    • Battlefield Re-enactment
    • Re-enactment Schedule
    • Re-enactor's Information
    • Re-enactment Photos
    • Christmas at Fort Branch
  • Events
  • Contact US
  • Links

The museum is current closed due to damage.

The museum is current closed due to damage.

The museum is current closed due to damage.

The museum is current closed due to damage.

The museum is current closed due to damage.

The museum is current closed due to damage.

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On April 22, 2025, Fort Branch's Museum suffered extreme damage from a fallen tree during a storm. The building is at a total loss. The Historical Society, volunteers, and other members of the community have been working tirelessly to clean up, document, and safely store a variety historical artifacts. 

Join us November 1st & 2nd for Fort Branch's 2025 Battlefield Re-enactment (click here for more info

Join us November 1st & 2nd for Fort Branch's 2025 Battlefield Re-enactment (click here for more info

Join us November 1st & 2nd for Fort Branch's 2025 Battlefield Re-enactment (click here for more info

Join us November 1st & 2nd for Fort Branch's 2025 Battlefield Re-enactment (click here for more info

Join us November 1st & 2nd for Fort Branch's 2025 Battlefield Re-enactment (click here for more info

Join us November 1st & 2nd for Fort Branch's 2025 Battlefield Re-enactment (click here for more info

Preserve and Protect the Past for the Future

Welcome

Fort Branch is located in Hamilton, NC, 60 miles upriver of the town of Plymouth. Sitting 70 feet above a bend in the Roanoke River, this Confederate earthen fort provided a safe and clear view of Union gunboats approaching from down river. 


Protecting the "Lifeline" of the Confederacy

Fort Branch Civil War Site: Your Partner in Historical Preservation

Fort Branch's eleven cannons offered significant protection for the railway bridge over the river at Weldon, a weak link in the "Lifeline of the Confederacy" between Wilmington, NC, and Richmond, VA. The fort also protected the nearby construction site of the ironclad ram C.S.S. Albemarle, which later helped regain control of the lower Roanoke River and Albemarle Sound by sinking wooden Union ships. 


About Us

The Fort Branch Historical Society

The Fort Branch Historical Society

The Fort Branch Historical Society

The Fort Branch Historical Society works to preserve and restore the fort and its history. Browse this website to learn more about ongoing preservation projects and how you can be involved. We invite any interested parties to attend our upcoming meetings and events. 

Find out more

Our History

The Fort Branch Historical Society

The Fort Branch Historical Society

Visit Fort Branch and see eight of the original eleven cannons, making Fort Branch the only earthwork fortification in the South with its original artillery in place. You can also see a restored late 1800s steam engine from The Ranger, and  local Native American pottery and artifacts from Hoggtown, a nearby eighteenth century river community. Other attractions include rebuilt gun emplacements and an 1850s farmhouse, which is currently being restored.

Find out more

Re-enactor's Information

The Fort Branch Historical Society

Re-enactor's Information

Today, the site is the winter headquarters for the First North Carolina Volunteers, a Civil War re-enactment group. A battle re-enactment is held annually at the fort on the first weekend in November and includes a unique Living History Program. The annual events schedule often includes a Civil War Christmas celebration, as well.

Find out more

Upcoming Events

4/12/2025

Fort Branch Historical Society Meeting

1:00pm

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At Fort

Event Details

4/12/2025

Fort Branch Historical Society Meeting

The Historical Society will meet to discuss the upcoming event and current and future preservation projects. Open to all interested parties....

Event Details

1:00pm

-

At Fort

11/1&2/2025

Fort Branch Battlefield Re-enactment

1:30pm

-

Battle Begins

Event Details

11/1&2/2025

Fort Branch Battlefield Re-enactment

The Battlefield Re-enactment is still planned to take place until further notice. Check back often for the latest information
 

1:30pm

-

Battle Begins

12/6/2025

Fort Branch Civil War Christmas

7pm

Event Details

12/6/2025

Fort Branch Civil War Christmas

On the first Saturday in December at 7 pm, the Fort holds a candlelight tour of recreated Christmas scenes. Visitors enjoy refreshments, sha...

Event Details

7pm

Fort Branch Historical Society

Located at 2883 Fort Branch Road Oak City, NC - Mailing address PO Box 355, Hamilton, North Carolina 27840

For more information (252) 740 - 8724

Copyright © 2025 Fort Branch Civil War Site - All Rights Reserved.

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