Encounter the past

• We encourage all visitors to wear masks when touring the museum; especially when in buildings. For everyone's safety, pets need to be on leash; please remember to clean up behind your pet.

"Time Travel" is a phrase we use with some ease here at Old Number 4

Exploring, explaining, and imagining the past so that we may better inform our current and future decisions is the museum's educational pathway.

Explore Our Offerings

Travel back in time to Plantation Number 4, once the northwestern-most village within the British colonies. Our reconstruction of the village grounds is dedicated to bringing the history of the Upper Valley of the Connecticut River to life through engaging reenactments, educational activities, and one-of-a-kind historical experiences.

Township Number 4 (now Charlestown, NH) was the northernmost and westernmost town within the British Colonies in North America from 1735 until 1760. Due to its location at the edge of the woods and the dedication of its townspeople, Number 4 held a distinctive position in the Colonies as well as an unusual relationship with north-eastern Amerindian people.

Our living history museum is dedicated to sharing the conflicts, trials, clashes, and co-mingling of cultures that are so unique to the Fort at No. 4. We strive to share the complexities of history and demonstrate how the area’s varied inhabitants left an enduring influence on the region.

Founded in 1947, our open air museum and historic site continues to delight visitors of all ages who wish to step back in time and experience life as it was for settlers during the Colonial Era. Our grounds faithfully recreate the details of the original structures that existed at the Fort at No. 4 and our volunteer reenactors bring the story to life through engaging demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and informative lectures. Some of our most popular events include our reenactment of the French-Indian War, our Native Legends Storytelling event, and our Women of the Fort weekend.

Join a guided tour led by one of our expert docents or meander the grounds on a self-guided tour to step back in time and experience life as it was in an 18th-century fortification. We also offer educational tours for school groups, including interactive learning experiences for homeschooled students that truly bring history to life.

We are open seasonally from May through the first weekend of November with a number of special off-season activities to engage and delight our visitors. Be sure to peruse our Calendar of Events to learn what we have in store and consider becoming a Friend of the Fort to take advantage of special discounts and opportunities.

And don't forget to leave plenty of time to explore our gift shop! We offer a variety of historical texts, curios, and costume pieces that are sure to delight any history enthusiast.

Support the Fort at No. 4

As an independent open-air museum, we are a self-funded 501(c)3 and 509(a)2 non-profit organization that does not receive Federal or State funds so we welcome your support. Learn more about how you can help us further our mission by becoming a sustaining member, contributing to our capital or annual fund, sponsoring a stockade brass plate, joining us for our Harvest Dinner, or becoming a volunteer. Thank you for your interest in keeping the history of Charlestown, New Hampshire alive.

New to Homeschooling? Need some ideas? Let us help! Lesson Ideas