Manager, Fort Dobbs and Shallow Ford State Historic Sites
Scott Douglas has a knack for starting conversations, especially the ones that make you stop and reconsider what you thought you knew about history.
As manager of both Fort Dobbs and Shallow Ford State Historic Sites, Scott brings decades of public history experience to his work. Though he was born in Ontario, Canada, and spent some of his early years in California, North Carolina has been home for more than 30 years. And for nearly as long, Scott has been bringing the state’s stories to life.
His path to public history began as a student at UNC Greensboro, where he took his first job in a museum. That hands-on experience sparked a career that has taken him to federal, state, and private historic sites across North Carolina and Virginia. His passion is the 18th century, particularly in ensuring that all sides of the Revolutionary story are told.
“When interpreting the American Revolution, I like to represent the average soldier or citizen, especially those who were Loyalists,” Scott says. “It’s usually a good starting point for conversation. A lot of people have never thought about why someone would support the other side of the Revolution. Once they start asking questions, you can have a meaningful discussion about identity, loyalty, and lived experience.”
For Scott, public history isn’t just about facts and timelines. It’s about challenging assumptions, encouraging empathy, and opening doors to deeper understanding. He is especially drawn to those overlooked or misunderstood moments in history that still have a lot to teach us.
Whether leading a tour, designing programming, or helping visitors imagine what life was like during the Revolution, Scott is dedicated to helping people see history not just as a story from the past but as a conversation we’re still having today.
Plan Your Visit
Curious to see Scott’s work in action? Visit Fort Dobbs State Historic Site and experience history where it happened.
438 Fort Dobbs Road
Statesville, N.C. 28625
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed on Sundays, Mondays, and most major holidays.