CHARLESTOWN — Though local residents and businesses have rallied around The Fort at No. 4 Living History Museum on Route 11 and reopened it last year, efforts to fully restore the wooden buildings at the fort continue.

The most pressing need is a $60,000 major roof repair project.

A chicken barbecue at the fort Saturday will raise money for the badly needed roof repairs, said museum director Wendy Baker.

BBQ at The Fort costs $9 and is to start around 1 p.m.

“All the proceeds will go towards the fort and we're putting it towards our roof fund,” Baker said.

Being Father's Day weekend and a graduation weekend it's a great day to kick back and let someone else do the barbecuing, she said.

The community has been great in its support of the fort, Baker said. “It's just we have a lot of things to address all at one time.”

Donna and Remo Pizzagalli of Vermont were the first to donate to the roof project with $5,000, Baker said.

Lisai's Market in Chester, Vt., is donating the chicken for the barbeque, she said.

For those who want to visit the museum early and then attend the barbecue they can get a combined admission and barbecue price of $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and youth and $11 for children.

The museum is a reconstruction of The Fort at No. 4, which was located on a major trade and war route along the banks of the Connecticut River, served as a strong hold against invading French and Indian factions during the French and Indian War.

The Fort at No. 4 was part of the first line of defense from French and Native Americans coming from the north towards Boston.

On the first weekend of June the museum held a French and Indian War encampment.

The Fort also has demonstrations of home textile manufacturing, a tavern, farmhouses similar to those that would have been located on the outskirts of the fort, and a blacksmith shop.

Construction of the fort started in the 1950s and was finished in 1997.

Due to financial issues the museum closed during its 2008 season and did not reopen the following season.

A group of masons from Vermont led a community response that involved service groups, individuals and business owners who together supported the 2011 reopening of the fort.

To keep finances under control the museum is now run by volunteers.

But because maintenance of the wooden buildings had been neglected for so long most buildings at the fort suffer from roofing problems.

“We've 6,000 square feet of roof that need to be tackled,” Baker said. “Wood requires a lot of attention to keep the water out. … Because the fort was shut down for so long and there was so much deferred maintenance we can't just patch it up.”

The museum is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.to 4 p.m.

Most special activities are held on the weekends including a World War II Saturday lecture series throughout the summer, an Artisan and Sutler weekend Aug. 4 and 5, and a Revolutionary War Encampment Sept. 29 and 30.

For a full listing of calendar events go to www.fortat4.com.

You don't have to attend the barbecue to visit the museum this Saturday, Baker said. Regular admission is $10 for adults; $7 for seniors 55 and up and youths 13 to 17; $5 for children 6 to 12 and free for children under 5.

For group rates call the fort at (603) 826-5700.





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