Finding Croatoan: Solving America's Oldest Mystery
by Rain Bennett

Rain Bennett
Follow
Finding Croatoan: Solving America's Oldest Mystery
by Rain Bennett
Rain Bennett
Follow
We are documenting something that could actually change the history books! The film is truly one of a kind, but it's what we all root for: an underdog story. Being a part of this project is not just supporting a great story - it's fighting for the truth.
We are documenting something that could actually change the history books! The film is truly one of a kind, but it's what we all root for: an underdog story. Being a part of this project is not just supporting a great story - it's fighting for the truth.
-
Story
Mission Statement
This film follows the story of a man of Croatoan heritage, whose family has fought the federal gov't for eight generations and lost 100 acres of land. Now, he is fighting to prove the truth of a centuries-old mystery and take back the pride in what it means to be from the outer banks of NC.About The Project
Finding Croatoan follows the story of Scott Dawson, a native of Hatteras Island in North Carolina, a man of Croatoan heritage that is searching for the evidence that will prove the whereabouts of the infamous "Lost Colony" of Roanoke Island.
As a child, Scott was enamored with the local lore and breadth of historical significance the "Outer Banks" of NC possessed. He would spend his days digging in the dirt unearthing countless pieces of Nativa American pottery and other artifacts. This love of history and amateur archaeology continued into adulthood and in 2007, he even discovered a Civil War fort on Roanoke Island. But what really hooked his attention was the tale of the "Lost Colony," an American history mystery that took place right in his backyard - just 400 years earlier.
Not many kids, or adults for that matter, spend their days analyzing 16th century primary source documents. But what Scott Dawson found in his research was nothing of mystery. To him it was simple. "If you were back in the '90s and didn't have cell phones, and your wife told you to just leave a note where you decide to go for dinner, and when she gets home and sees a note saying "McDonalds," she's not gonna get in the car and head to Burger King." So he followed the note the colonists left and started searching around Croatoan, now modern day Hatteras.
It didn't take long for him to gain the attention of professor from England's University of Bristol. Dr. Mark Horton and a gratduate student took the trip across the pond in 2009 and, impressed with their initial findings, brought a team bag to dig in 2011 (and every year since). Working alongside Dawson's Croatoan Archaeological Society, the University of Bristol team has been covered by major publications like National Geographic, History Channel, Travel Channel, and more. Because they haven't published their findings yet (which are SIGNIFICANT... I've seen them), most people don't know about what CAS has accomplished. But now, they are ready to share it with the world.
I followed Scott Dawson after I read his book Croatoan: Birthplace of America. It sits upon a shelf of eastern North Carolina-themed books in my house (about the Lifesaving Service, Blackbeard, ghost stories, and - guess what? - The Lost Colony). I found Scott and CAS on Facebook and we became social media friends. It's my job to reach out to interesting people, so we quickly struck up a conversation and I could tell his passion for history and truth matched mine for storytelling.
As a producer on the Lost Colony episode of Travel Channel's Expedition Unknown, I knew our story would n't be complete without Scott. Host Josh Gates saw the importance as well and the episode ended with Dawson and CAS - a sign that the "expedition" had no place to go from there and they had found the closest version of truth. During the making of the episode, Scott and I became closer and talked about the potential of telling this story without the restraints of a network - just brutal honesty. Now we are doing just that.
CAS has given me full, exclusive access to their biggest dig to date this April and I want to bring you along for the journey! We will show what goes into a project of this magnitude -- good AND bad -- as well as the super-cool findings that might prove the whereabouts of The Lost Colony, once and for all!
Incentives
$10
Manteo and Wanchese
You are an early ally and friend! We appreciate your support and will send you an exclusive Finding Croatoan digital poster to show it!
$25
George Howe
We will never forget you! It's just a bummer you were killed by natives while you were crabbing in the sound :(
But, you are an important part of our colony and we'd like to let the world know with a special shoutout during one of our Facebook Live sessions (from the actual dig!) PLUS a one-of-a-kind personalized "CROATOAN" tree pic with your hometown's name on it!
$50
Ananias Dare
You have laid a serious piece of foundation for the this film! (Seriously, he was a bricklayer)
We couldn't build this story without solid support like yours and we want to thank you so sincerely, we are going to carve it into the credits of our film AND send you an early digital download of the film before anyone else sees it!
$100
Eleanor Dare
YOU! You are a true pioneer! Not only did you give birth to the first English child in America, but you are giving birth to a project that could change the narrative of American history!
Let us thank you with a 'Special Thanks' in the credits, a digital download of the finished film, an exclusive photo booklet from CAS's dig showing the layers of "time travel" in the excavated site and REAL artifacts!
$500
John White
Our fearless leader! There's NO way this voyage would've happened withoutt you... we just wish you didn't have to leave us to head back to England :( But... we are excited about the supplies you'll bring back ;)
In return, we pledge to make a trade with you for an Associate Producer credit (!), a signed copy of Scott Dawson's book, Croatoan: Birthplace of America, an early digital download of the movie PLUS 5 extra downloads for any person of your choosing, the CAS dig site photo booklet, and a spot on our Donor list on the website!
$1,500
Virginia Dare
GASP!! Is it.... is it true? Is it really you?? We heard you may have turned into a white doe, but alas, you exist!!
And this makes you even MORE legendary than being the first English-born child in America! This makes you an Executive Producer of Finding Croatoan! We can't thank you enough and will forever remember your contribution. You get all the gifts listed: digital download, Scott's book, the photo booklet, the digital poster, the personalized profile pic, AND Scott and director Rain Bennett will spend a day with you in Hatteras showing you the artifacts we find on the dig!
-
Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$10
Manteo and Wanchese
You are an early ally and friend! We appreciate your support and will send you an exclusive Finding Croatoan digital poster to show it!
$25
George Howe
We will never forget you! It's just a bummer you were killed by natives while you were crabbing in the sound :(
But, you are an important part of our colony and we'd like to let the world know with a special shoutout during one of our Facebook Live sessions (from the actual dig!) PLUS a one-of-a-kind personalized "CROATOAN" tree pic with your hometown's name on it!
$50
Ananias Dare
You have laid a serious piece of foundation for the this film! (Seriously, he was a bricklayer)
We couldn't build this story without solid support like yours and we want to thank you so sincerely, we are going to carve it into the credits of our film AND send you an early digital download of the film before anyone else sees it!
$100
Eleanor Dare
YOU! You are a true pioneer! Not only did you give birth to the first English child in America, but you are giving birth to a project that could change the narrative of American history!
Let us thank you with a 'Special Thanks' in the credits, a digital download of the finished film, an exclusive photo booklet from CAS's dig showing the layers of "time travel" in the excavated site and REAL artifacts!
$500
John White
Our fearless leader! There's NO way this voyage would've happened withoutt you... we just wish you didn't have to leave us to head back to England :( But... we are excited about the supplies you'll bring back ;)
In return, we pledge to make a trade with you for an Associate Producer credit (!), a signed copy of Scott Dawson's book, Croatoan: Birthplace of America, an early digital download of the movie PLUS 5 extra downloads for any person of your choosing, the CAS dig site photo booklet, and a spot on our Donor list on the website!
$1,500
Virginia Dare
GASP!! Is it.... is it true? Is it really you?? We heard you may have turned into a white doe, but alas, you exist!!
And this makes you even MORE legendary than being the first English-born child in America! This makes you an Executive Producer of Finding Croatoan! We can't thank you enough and will forever remember your contribution. You get all the gifts listed: digital download, Scott's book, the photo booklet, the digital poster, the personalized profile pic, AND Scott and director Rain Bennett will spend a day with you in Hatteras showing you the artifacts we find on the dig!
- Updates
-
Current Team
About This Team
David and I are part of the producing team of the award-winning documentary, Raise Up: The World is Our Gym, and both have years of experience in documentary production. We recently sold our first project and are excited to partner up again for such a cool story!
-
Media
Videos
Images
-
Community
Supporters
Followers