Two North Carolina state historic sites — Historic Edenton and Historic Halifax — will enhance education and preservation activities thanks to grants from the Charles A. Cannon Charitable Trust Number One. Established upon Charles A. Cannon’s passing, the Trust provides funding for capital and equipment projects across North Carolina.
"We are moved by all the ways the Trust has offered support for our sacred work,” said Michelle Lanier, director of State Historic Sites at the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. “The preservation of North Carolina’s historic narratives, and the unique educational and transformative experiences offered at these sites, have been enhanced and more deeply rooted by Cannon's generosity.”
A grant of $97,000 will aid the Historic Edenton State Historic Site in commemorating the history and legacy of Harriet Jacobs through the construction of a reflection space situated behind the site’s visitor center. The space will feature a reproduction of Jacobs’ hiding place, serving as a poignant reminder of her struggle for freedom. Additionally, the reflection space will include a garden with benches, each equipped with a soundscape featuring nature sounds, poetry readings, music, and other recordings to encourage contemplation. A community-driven mural depicting scenes from Jacobs’ remarkable life will adorn the space, providing a visual narrative of her journey.
Born into slavery in Edenton, North Carolina, in 1813, Harriet Jacobs escaped bondage by hiding in an elevated crawlspace in her grandmother’s home for seven years, unable to even stand. In 1842, at the age of 29, she fled to New York and was formally emancipated in 1852. Free from the shackles of slavery, Jacobs went on to pen her autobiography, “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” in 1861, becoming the first woman in the United States to author a fugitive slave narrative. Her courageous story continues to inspire and educate about the resilience and fortitude of those who fought for freedom.
A grant of $146,000 aims to elevate the significance of the Halifax Courthouse within Historic Halifax State Historic Site, commemorating its pivotal role in American history. The Halifax Courthouse holds immense importance to Historic Halifax as the site where the Halifax Resolves were drafted and signed by the Fourth North Carolina Provincial Congress on April 12, 1776, and as the first place in North Carolina where the United States Constitution was publicly read. Although the original courthouse no longer stands, this project will mark the footprint of where this historic building once stood while providing landscaping that will enhance the site.
The project will also include the installation of historical wayside exhibits to educate visitors about the events that made Halifax historically significant to the state, and a Plexiglass exhibit panel will provide visitors with a visual representation of the courthouse during the revolutionary period. A transportable stage will be constructed for live re-enactments of key historical events such as the reading of the Halifax Resolves and the Declaration of Independence, enriching the visitor experience and fostering a deeper understanding of America's call for freedom and independence.
Both projects are central to North Carolina’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. America 250 NC, directed by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, includes the “When are we US?” theme, which will be examined through topics related to democracy, civic responsibility, and freedom, offering insight into their impact on North
Carolinians statewide. To enhance visitor engagement and support the America 250 NC initiative, QR codes will be strategically placed on the wayside markers and other displays surrounding both the Halifax Courthouse and the Harriet Jacobs reflection space. These QR codes will link visitors to the America 250 NC website (www.America250.nc.gov), providing access to additional information on the revolution and diverse perspectives on the concept of freedom.
Both projects are anticipated to be completed in 2025.
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.