Before the other colonies followed suit in July, the North Carolina Provincial Congress issued the Halifax Resolves on April 12, 1776, voting to separate from the British Crown. The approaching Halifax Resolves Day observance at Historic Halifax, April 12, will begin a free two-day celebration to commemorate North Carolina's stand as the first colony to call for independence!
The April 12 annual “Halifax Resolves Day” offers a full day of activities featuring historic interpreters, living history demonstrations, historical themed talks and multiple commemorative observances. Tours, a talk on historic currency, a ribbon-cutting and monument dedication are among the many activities.
Schedule of Activities:
Friday, April 12 Halifax Resolves Day -- Remembering the call for independence
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Living History Program and Tours with activities for area fourth grade classes.
10:30 a.m. Wreath laying sponsored by the N.C. Society, Sons of the American
Revolution at the Colonial Courthouse Site.
11:30 a.m. “Colonial Currency,” presented by Robert Schreiner in the Historic Halifax
Visitor Center Auditorium, and Historic Halifax Restoration Association
Halifax Resolves Award presentation for excellence in historic preservation.
12:30 p.m. Historic Halifax hosts ribbon cutting for Spring House at Magazine Spring
with representatives of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe. The spring was used initially
by Native Americans, became an important water source for the growing town
and has been a part of life in Halifax for over 200 years.
2 p.m. The County of Halifax hosts a dedication ceremony for the Documents of
Freedom Monument on the grounds of the Halifax County Courthouse on
King Street. The monument features bronze replicas of the Declaration of
Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights, and a replica of the Halifax
Resolves funded by donations from county citizens. A reception will follow at
the William R. Davie House.
Saturday, April 13 Road to Yorktown – Remembering the 1781 British occupation of Halifax
9 a.m. Living history activities begin.
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Morattico Artisan Fair - arts, crafts, food, entertainment along King Street.
10:30 a.m. March of Crown Forces down King Street to Historic Halifax.
11 a.m. Battle of Halifax demonstration on Market Street.
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Live music at the Morattico Artisan Fair.
1:45 p.m. Artillery demonstration near the Tap Room tavern.
2:30 p.m. Court martial vignette in front of the Halifax jail.
3:30 p.m. “Meet a Dragoon” in the Dragoon camp (British mounted cavalry, on foot
when necessary).
4 p.m. Artillery demonstration and closing narration near the Tap Room tavern.
About Historic Halifax
The first 85 years of history of the town of Halifax are recalled in the site's preservation, whose time period is 1760 to 1840. The mission of Historic Halifax is to preserve and interpret the town of Halifax, where North Carolina first declared independence. Historic Halifax is located at 25 David St., Halifax. Historic Halifax is within the Division of State Historic Sites of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.