‘It's Revolutionary!’ Kicks Off at North Carolina's Colonial State Historic Sites

RALEIGH, N.C. - July 22, 2015 - PRLog -- RALEIGH, N.C. -- July 4th marked the kick-off for "It's Revolutionary!" (http://www.ncdcr.gov/things-to-do/trips-travel-ideas/its-revolutionary) a two-year observance of the importance of North Carolina's Revolutionary and colonial-era state historic sites in America's freedom story. From ousting a colonial governor in New Bern to calling for freedom from England in Halifax, North Carolina has played a pivotal role in the move to independence for the United States.

From July 4, 2015, to July 4, 2017, nine state historic sites and the State Archives are sharing programming to celebrate this history. More than 20 events are scheduled including Halifax Muster Days in September and a re-enactment of the Battle of Alamance at Alamance Battleground in 2016.

Tryon Palace, Historic Halifax and the State Capitol launched the "It's Revolutionary!" observance with Independence Day games, crafts, music and fireworks July 4th.

"North Carolina was at the forefront in the call for freedom and the establishment of an independent United States," observes Dr. Kevin Cherry, Deputy Secretary of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. "We will honor that past and celebrate our role in the creation of this nation and with rare displays of early documents from our State Archives at historic sites during certain special events."

Tryon Palace was home to Royal Governor William Tryon, who was succeeded by Royal Governor Josiah Martin. As the fervor for independence grew, Martin fled Tryon Palace in the dark of night in May 1775. Less than a year later in a meeting of the Fourth Provincial Congress in Halifax, North Carolina authorized her delegates to vote for independence at the Continental Congress. North Carolina was the first colony to formally call for a vote for independence through the Halifax Resolves.

Raleigh became home to the State Capitol where a building was completed in 1794, after colonial capitols in Edenton and New Bern. The present building was completed in 1840 and housed all of state government until 1888.

To celebrate independence July 4th, Tryon Palace hosted a Tryon Palace Fife and Drum Corps performance, a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the Palace steps, and crafts, games and garden tours.

Historic Halifax celebrated July 4th with tours of the historic Burgess Law Office, Eagle Tavern, Sally-Billy Plantation house and other structures. In addition to music and entertainment, the town hosted fireworks at night.

On July 4th the Capitol celebrated with several bands and a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and hosted a naturalization ceremony for new citizens in a free program. It also offered military displays, carriage or trolley rides, and games and activities.

"We honor North Carolina's role in the story of independence every day at eight historic venues dedicated to colonial history and early settlement of North Carolina and the nation," explains Keith Hardison, director of the N.C. Division of State Historic Sites. "We are proud to pay tribute to 240 years of American freedom."

For additional information please call (919) 807-7389. The Division of State Historic Sites (http://www.ncdcr.gov/about/history/state-historic-sites) and the State Archives (http://www.ncdcr.gov/about/history/archives-records) are within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. Learn more about the “It’s Revolutionary!” initiative at http://www.ncdcr.gov/revolutionary.

About the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources

The N.C. Department of Cultural Resources (NCDCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state's cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDCR's mission is improve our state's quality of life by creating opportunities that promote economic development, stimulate learning, preserve the state's history and spark creativity to experience excellence in the arts, history and libraries in North Carolina. NCDCR was the first state organization in the nation to include all agencies for arts and culture under one umbrella.

Through arts efforts led by the N.C. Arts Council, the N.C. Symphony and the N.C. Museum of Art, NCDCR offers the opportunity for enriching arts education for young and old alike and spurring the economic stimulus engine for our state's communities. NCDCR's Divisions of State Archives, Historical Resources, State Historic Sites and State History Museums preserve, document and interpret North Carolina's rich cultural heritage to offer experiences of learning and reflection. NCDCR's State Library of North Carolina is the principal library of state government and builds the capacity of all libraries in our state to develop and to offer access to educational resources through traditional and online collections including genealogy and resources for people who are blind and have physical disabilities.

NCDCR annually serves more than 19 million people through its 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the N.C. Arts Council and the State Archives. NCDCR champions our state's creative industry that accounts for more than 300,000 jobs and generates nearly $18.5 billion in revenues. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001BgKyIk5GCztfgAuSKzM40YTEBCCohCAoSDJ-hZO5ljTi6fD2uWXFRdXc9a2P239nju8A-ymMKHQyyBW2jJzIbq4mHU-0NeWNLzgW9eDD82iOTRkgCiXPfsCaGDgP3pQThqTfO4j9RKBIIyn0agc5AvrQ1V69kcbEd7PemN8FmeU=&c=NUF_zY_YeQI7e2XM6t3AuQl5TCuRfUvJPYUOitVLG1ZzD-mQzH06zg==&ch=c1ood5UOyKwZhZekJSIQaPL_Cv8aw3qMBBAJYsn-dJIWxUSuKn9e5g).