Resentment and frustration fomented in the land. Government leaders would not listen, imposed central rule and levied unjust taxes. It was time for revolution! North Carolina patriots shared these grievances and engaged in seeking remedies leading up to the American Revolutionary War.
Throughout 2016, North Carolina State Historic Sites will continue the "It's Revolutionary!" observance that started July 4, 2015. This year in May the first ever Battle of Alamance re-enactment at Alamance Battleground will a highlight of programs at the nine colonial historic sites continuing through 2017.A very special feature will be 18th century documents from the State Archives on tour at some of the historic sites.
Rebellion against the Stamp Act will be observed at Brunswick Town/Ft. Anderson State Historic Site in Winnabow Feb. 19-21as the first program in the series this year. It will commemorate the sowing of seeds of discontent on the 250th Anniversary of passage of the Stamp Act by the British Parliament in 1765.
The weekend starts Feb. 19, 6 p.m., with a "Dancing in Defiance Program" where visitors can learn the graceful minuet and enjoy an evening tour topped by cannon fire for a $5 fee. The free Saturday and Sunday "Road to Revolution" programs include demonstration of a working tar kiln as used for naval stores in the region, and tours showcasing the Stamp Act Resistance, the first successful armed rebellion against British authority in America. Period documents illustrating Stamp Act resistance will be on loan from the State Archives.
The Stamp Act required stamps or stamped paper to be used on most documents - newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents and even playing cards. So heartily did the colonists protest that the tax was repealed. In the Wilmington area citizens united and forced the stamp agent to resign. Later colonists refused to allow the ships bearing the stamps to land in Brunswick so that trade in the colony completely stopped.
Among other "It's Revolutionary!" events are two at Fort Dobbs in Statesville - the "Cherokee Attack Anniversary" and the "War for Empire Commemoration." The Anglo-Cherokee War at Fort Dobbs will re-enact camp life Feb. 27-28 and present musket and cannon demonstrations to mark the Feb. 27, 1760, attack on the fort by Cherokee warriors. The French and English both sought to secure assistance from the Cherokee during the French and Indian War as each country sought dominance in the New World. A donation is suggested for the free program.
In what has been described as the first world war and also known as the Seven Years War (1754-1763), the conflict between France and England spanned five continents. At Fort Dobbs provincial soldiers defended North Carolina's western frontier from the Cherokee attack. The April 16-17 "War for Empire" re-enactment at Fort Dobbs will present costumed interpreters as provincial soldiers, American Indians and 18th century civilians. Battle re-enactments, tradesmen and period musicians will be shared. There is a small fee.
A re-enactment of the 1771 Battle of Alamance at Alamance Battleground May 14-15 will capture the War of Regulation. Even before the Revolutionary War, piedmont North Carolina farmers fought Royal Gov. William Tryon and 1,000 English troops. Resentment against taxes, dishonest sheriffs, and illegal fees imposed by the British Crown led to formation of the Regulator movement and the will to fight back.
The backcountry farmers were no match for the British soldiers in battle, but they provided a model for the American colonists to fight against British rule. Artillery fire and battle formations will highlight the re-enactment.
The story of British mercenary and deserter John Reed will be presented at Reed Gold Mine June 18 in the "From Mercenary to Miner" program. John Reed, an illiterate Hessian mercenary from Germany and illegal immigrant, saw discovery of a 17 pound gold rock on his farm that led to America's first gold rush in 1799.
Throughout the first half of 2016, other programs will include "Halifax Day" at Historic Halifax in April, "Bath Fest" at Historic Bath in May, "Revolutionary Times Day" at House in the Horseshoe in June, and others.
For more information, please call (919) 807-7389 or visit here. The Division of State Historic Sites in part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.