The public is invited to watch as the James River Institute for Archaeology excavates sections of the yard around the manor house at Smith’s Fort in Surry County on June 20-21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

The circa-1760s manor house is named for the location of English settler John Smith’s “New Fort” along Gray’s Creek directly across from Jamestown. It was planned as a fallback position for the colonists. Construction of the fort began in 1608 but was never completed.

Preservation Virginia, the nation’s oldest statewide preservation nonprofit that began as the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities in 1889, has owned Smith’s Fort since 1933.

The two-day dig at Smith’s Fort is intended to shed light on Surry County’s role in the founding of the United States as the nation approaches its 250th birthday.

In addition to watching the dig, the house will be open for tours and refreshments will be available on-site. Children can also enjoy hands-on activities.

Smith’s Fort is located at 217 Smith Fort Lane, roughly 2 miles north of the town of Surry. Pre-registration is not required to attend the dig.

More information on Smith’s Fort is available at preservationvirginia.org.