Russell Garrison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Russell Garrison
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Fort Street, Dartmouth, Massachusetts |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1675 |
| NRHP reference No. | 100002215 |
| Added to NRHP | August 6, 2018 |
The Russell Garrison was a special fortified area in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, way back in the 1600s. It was a safe place for early settlers during tough times. Today, it is a small public park on Fort Street. The park shows where the home of John Russell, an early settler, once stood. His house was protected by a strong wooden fence called a stockade. This site was attacked during a big conflict called King Philip's War in the 1670s. It is one of the few places from the 1600s in Dartmouth where we know exactly where a home was. Archaeologists dug here in 1951 to learn more. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018 because of its important history.
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What Was the Russell Garrison?
The Russell Garrison was not a typical fort with tall stone walls. Instead, it was a fortified homestead. This means it was a family's home that was made strong for protection. It belonged to John Russell, one of the first settlers in the area.
What is a Garrison?
A garrison is a place where soldiers or people live to defend an area. In colonial times, a garrison house was a home built to be very strong. It could also be a regular house surrounded by a wooden fence called a stockade. This stockade helped protect the people inside from attacks. The Russell Garrison was one of these protected homes.
Life at the Garrison
Life at the Russell Garrison was likely very busy and focused on survival. Families lived and worked there, growing food and raising animals. But they also had to be ready to defend themselves. The stockade around the house provided a first line of defense. It gave people a safe place to go when danger was near.
King Philip's War and the Garrison
The Russell Garrison played an important role during King Philip's War. This was a major conflict that happened in New England between 1675 and 1678. It involved English colonists and several Native American tribes. Many towns were attacked during this war. The Russell Garrison was one of the places in Dartmouth that faced attacks. It served as a refuge, a safe spot for settlers during the fighting.
Discovering the Past: Archaeology
For many years, people knew the Russell Garrison was important. But they did not know exactly where it was. In 1951, archaeologists began to dig at the site. Archaeologists are like history detectives. They study old objects and buildings to learn about the past. During their dig, they found the original foundations of John Russell's house. This helped them confirm the exact location of the historic garrison.
A Park Today
Today, the Russell Garrison site is a quiet public park. It is a place where people can visit and imagine what life was like long ago. You can see the reconstructed foundations of the old house. The park helps us remember the early history of Dartmouth and the challenges faced by its first settlers. It is a reminder of how people protected themselves during difficult times.
