Go back in time and visit another era during this annual, free event to explore and experience history, fun, food, arts and crafts during the "Days Gone By" program June 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Somerset Place State Historic Site. This history, fun-filled and educational day will feature life on a plantation through hands-on historic activities with costumed interpreters.
Topics Related to Living History
If you enjoy honey and are interested in beekeeping, then visit Governor Charles B. Aycock Birthplace, Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration of North Carolina's 19th century farm heritage during the "Saturday on the Farm" free program will examine beekeeping and gardening. You'll also enjoy seeing vintage farm equipment.
Discover camp life and the role of the Civil War enlisted man in battle at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site on Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. In this program, historians in period dress will demonstrate how Union and Confederate soldiers made meals, maintained weapons and uniforms, and trained for battle. For information please call (910) 594-0789 or visit www.nchistoricsites.org/bentonvi.
Soldiers from across North Carolina were returning home in May 1865, exhausted at the end of the Civil War. It was a brother's war that divided families and communities, and now healing the nation would begin. "A Soldier's Walk Home" May 11 to 23 recaptures such a journey.
After victories at Fort Fisher and Bentonville, Union Gen. William T. Sherman occupied Raleigh with 75,000 troops camped at the State Capitol. The State Capitol will commemorate that tenuous Civil War period of 150 years ago with a free encampment program and tours featuring character actors at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and hourly 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (919) 733-4994.
Life experiences during the Civil War will be shared in a "Music and Literature of the Civil War" program May 16, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Somerset Place State Historic Site. Based on original letters and business records, visitors will get a glimpse of the wartime experience from Somerset residents and will encounter the characters on a walking tour.
Even with clouds from a tropical depression, Civil War re-enactor Philip Brown began walking backroads May 11 on a 166 mile. 13-day journey from New Bern to Durham. The "Soldiers' Walk Home" event, organized by Duke Homestead State Historic Site in Durham, recalls the trek Washington Duke made when delivered to New Bern by the Union Army in 1865. Although Brown does not portray Duke, his route is similar to the one Duke might have taken.
In 1771 backcountry farmers fought against Royal Governor William Tryon over taxes, dishonest sheriffs and illegal fees. The 224th anniversary of the Battle of Alamance and Regulator resistance will be observed with free family friendly activities May 16-17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Alamance Battleground State Historic Site.
"A Soldier's Walk Home" will arrive in Kinston around 5 p.m. May 12 at Harriet's Chapel on the First Battle of Kinston Site. Soldiers from across North Carolina were returning home in May 1865, exhausted at the end of the Civil War. The Soldier's Walk recalls the walk Washington Duke took from New Bern to Durham after he was delivered to New Bern by the Union Army in 1865. It is in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War.
The end of the Civil War was not the end of the story. Historic Stagville will commemorate the end of the Civil War with “Freedom 150” May 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The free event will examine the effect of the end of the Civil War on the African American population, the rise of the black church and the creation of the sharecropping system.