Blog Entry List
Frank McMahon, Assistant Site Manager, Historic Halifax State Historic SiteFrank McMahon didn’t grow up in North Carolina, but his path to interpreting the state’s Revolutionary-era past began early, among the wooded landscapes of Pennsylvania, where a love for history, anthropology, and public lands first took root. A native of the Philadelphia area, Frank pursued a degree in anthropology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and later earned a master’s in park and resource management from Slippery Rock University.
“I long to hear that you have declared an independancy—and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies….”Abigail Adams to her husband, John Adams, March 31, 1776
Image Caption: Looking west across the Yadkin River at the Shallow Ford. Photo Credit: Jason Melius, 2023.
Between February and March 1775, Royal Governor Josiah Martin received pledges of loyalty to the British Crown from 493 prominent North Carolinians from Dobbs, Guilford, Rowan, and Surry Counties. These declarations were made in response to increasing tensions and the establishment of Committees of Safety in late 1774. The Committees of Safety were created to spread Patriot (Whig) propaganda, enforce a trade ban of English goods, and prepare for military operations. The Loyalists, or Tories, lived side by side with Patriots all across North Carolina.
The woodpeckers eagerly peck away at the giant trees while squirrels scurry about as one strolls through the peacefulness and beauty of nature found in Currie, NC. A trail passes by a grassy savannah heading towards Moores Creek. The area is a unique eco-system containing carnivorous plants and perhaps an elusive alligator or two, but amid the wonder of nature, mounds of dirt appear that cast a shadow over what was a bloody struggle that occurred here almost 250 years ago.
The American Revolution VS. The American Revolutionary WarDid you know that when historians talk about the American Revolution, they are not only referring to the fighting that took place? The American Revolution encompasses not only the American Revolutionary War but also the social, political, and cultural transformations occurring in eighteenth-century North America.
A typical Christmas night in eighteenth-century America did not go as one might expect. The Christmas season today brings many nostalgic memories of cozy drinks, opening presents, and time spent with loved ones. This wasn’t the Christmas of colonial and revolutionary America, where the potential of rowdiness and drunkenness filled the streets.
The America 250 NC commemoration offers the opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of local history across the state. Through the support of an America 250 NC County Committee Grant, the Gaston County commemoration team is working to highlight history of the region through their programming.
Western North Carolinians’ frustrations with dishonest government officials bubbled over with the formation of the Regulator movement in 1768. Regulators protested officials’ excessive taxes, illegal fees, and other mistreatments of the public. The Regulator’s also resented their lack of representation in the colonial government. The movement’s name captures member's desire to regulate their own lives without representation in the government.
As part of the North Carolina’s American 250 commemoration, the State Archives of North Carolina and Tryon Palace Historic Site and Gardens will exhibit the original minutes of the First Provincial Congress on August 24, 2024. The exhibit will be held at the North Carolina History Center (529 S. Front Street, New Bern) along with other events commemorating the 250th anniversary of the congress and the New Bern Resolves. The volume will be on display from 10am – 3 pm. We encourage you to come and participate in the Palace’s activities and view this special volume.
The city of New Bern, founded in 1710 by Swiss and German immigrants, is home to many historic sites and stories. Royal Governor William Tryon (1765-1771) made this seaport his colonial capital and residence. During Tryon’s time in office, colonists often complained about taxes, dishonest sheriffs, and illegal fees. Tensions rose when paid and enslaved laborers built Tryon Palace in 1770. Governor Tryon increased colonist taxes to pay for the palace, which cost about $3.3 million by today's standards.
In 1983, Harvey B. Gantt made history. His election to the Charlotte City Council was a groundbreaking moment that set a precedent for future political representation.At the time of Gantt's election, the Civil Rights Movement was gaining momentum across the United States. Despite facing significant opposition and discrimination, Gantt was determined to make a difference in his community. He campaigned on a platform of improving race relations and promoting equal opportunities for all citizens of Charlotte.
On April 13, 1947, a mob attacked civil rights protesters at the bus station in Chapel Hill. Earlier that year, the Congress of Racial Equality laid plans to test the enforcement of a Supreme Court decision that declared segregation on interstate buses and trains unconstitutional.
As the Deep River wanders through North Carolina's Piedmont plateau and curves in a horseshoe bend, there stands on a hilltop above it one of the first big houses of upland North Carolina frontier country, the House in the Horseshoe.
Alamance Battleground State Historic Site is a must-see destination for history buffs and anyone interested in the story of North Carolina's early days. Located in Alamance County, the site features exhibits, trails, and educational programs that provide a glimpse into the past. Here are 10 things you can do when you visit Alamance Battleground State Historic Site.