The burning and destruction of Fort Johnston by over 500 Whig militiamen during the summer of 1775 spurred the colony of North Carolina into a war after which it would never be the same. The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport, in conjunction with the City of Southport, will mark this historical event with a free symposium, living history, and nighttime commemoration. Join us as we delve into the stories and individuals behind this turning point in history, and the impact that it would have on the lives of the citizens of the Cape Fear and the new republic.
You can view the full event schedule below:
Living history ( garrison lawn): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Musket/artillery tandem demos (garrison lawn/Bay Street):
10 to 10:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m. to noon
1 to 1:30 p.m.
2:30 to 3 p.m.
4:15 to 4:45 p.m.
Symposium (Southport Community Building):
10:30 a.m.: Jim McKee, “The Construction of Fort Johnston”
Noon: Stephen Atkinson, “HMS Cruizer and British Naval Activity in the Lower Cape Fear”
1:30 p.m.: Jack Fryar, “When the British Came: Revolution in the Cape Fear, 1765-1782”
3 p.m.: Chris Fonvielle, “With Such Great Alacrity: The Burning of Fort Johnston”
Nighttime luminary commemoration (garrison lawn): sunset to 10 p.m.