“It’s Revolutionary!” events will explore 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.

"North Carolina was at the forefront in the call for freedom and the establishment of an independent United States," observed Dr. Kevin Cherry, NCDCR Deputy Secretary. "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."

State historic sites interpreting colonial history and the Revolutionary War era are Historic Halifax, Historic Edenton, Historic Bath, Tryon Palace, House in the Horseshoe, Fort Dobbs, Alamance Battleground, Brunswick Town-Fort Anderson and the Gov. Richard Caswell Memorial. Other Cultural Resources program sites offering special “It’s Revolutionary!” events this year include the State Capitol, the State Archives and the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex.

From July 4, 2015, to July 4, 2017, venues within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources (NCDCR) are sharing programming to celebrate this history. Events range from The Governor’s Challenge Cornhole Tournament at Tryon Palace and Halifax Muster Days this September to a re-enactment of the Battle of Alamance at Alamance Battleground in 2016.

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

Programs scheduled fall 2015 include:

Sept. 12. Museum of the Cape Fear, Fayetteville. Festival of Yesteryear: A Celebration of Early America. The colonial and Revolutionary War periods come alive with period music, crafts, toys and games, militia drills, and even colonial dentistry and medicine! In partnership with the Fayetteville Lafayette Birthday celebration, the event honors the Marquis de Lafayette. 10 a.m. Free.

Sept. 12. Alamance Battleground, Burlington. Moving into the Backcountry with Historian Tom Magnuson. Military action from three wars happened at Alamance Battleground, and historian Tom Magnuson explains how its location along one of North Carolina's oldest roads contributed to that. He will discuss his work at the battleground in this N.C. Humanities Council "Road Scholars" program. 3 p.m. Free.

Sept. 18. Tryon Palace, New Bern. The Governor's Challenge Cornhole Tournament. Come play your favorite backyard game in North Carolina's favorite backyard as the Homebuilder's Association of Craven and Pamlico Counties presents this tournament. Enjoy a late summer day of food, drinks, beautiful views and, of course, cornhole competitions. Reservations required at (252) 636-3707. 10 a.m. $150, $5 ticket processing.

Sept. 19. Tryon Palace, New Bern. Fall Festival. Enjoy interactive crafts and activities for the whole family at Tryon Palace and its N.C. History Center. Teachers with identification attend free and receive a pass to Tryon Palace, the History Center, other historic homes and gardens. Two teacher workshops available on how Tryon Palace can assist with curriculum. 10 a.m. Prices vary.

Sept. 26-27. Historic Halifax, Halifax. Halifax Muster Days. Celebrate Halifax's military history from the 18th and early 19th centuries emphasizing its role in the Revolutionary War. Activities in Market Square include military encampments, drills and maneuvers. The Tryon Palace Fife and Drum Corps will lead a parade Saturday, and activities around town include craft demonstrations, hands-on demonstrations, period music and family fun. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon-3 p.m. Free.

Sept. 26-27. Fort Dobbs, Statesville. 18th Century Fair. This event explores the lives of everyday men, women and children on the North Carolina frontier during the French and Indian War. Demonstrations will include historic trades, foodways and 18th-century frontier culture. 10 a.m. $3, underage 5 free.

October 2015. Historic Edenton, Edenton. Colonial Living History Days. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-noon, school and home school association students are invited to come learn "hands-on" activities typical for children and adults of the 18th century. Quill writing, colonial games, a tour of the James Iredell House and a one-room schoolhouse among other treats. $1.75.

Oct. 9-10. Tryon Palace, New Bern. Autumn in the Gardens. Visit the gardens for free during Mumfest and view 1,500 mums and other blooming plants. The fall plant sale with be held at the Daves House lawn and the garden shop will be open. 10 a.m. Free garden admission; ticketed inside tours.

Oct. 10-11. Historic Edenton, Edenton. Pirate Encampment. Ahoy mates! Be a pirate for a day with Capt. De'vil and his pirates on the 1712 Courthouse Green. The crew will include a surgeon, period cook with trappings and a boat to recreate the sailors' life of the early 18th century. Witness a pyrate funeral, drill and a land-and-sea battle if possible. Create your own pirate flag, eye patch and sword! Enter the Best Dressed Pirate Contest for age-based prizes. 10 a.m. $1.75.

Oct. 12-17. Alamance Battleground. Colonial Living Week. Experience 18th-century farm life up close with costumed interpreters showing crafts, trades and everyday colonial activities. Demonstrations include musket firing, cooking, spinning and weaving, horn carving, blacksmithing and many others! Particularly targeted to school groups. A donation of $1 per child is requested. Reservations required at (336) 227-4785.

Oct. 16-17. Historic Bath, Bath. Ghost Walk. Learn the stories of Bath's past during an hourlong walk through the village streets. Small group tours depart every 15 minutes. Tickets available at 6 p.m. Tours start at 7 p.m. Adults $12, ages 12 and under $8.

Oct. 24. House in the Horseshoe, Sanford. Militia Muster and Candlelight Tour. See Revolutionary War-era militia drills and learn the site's role in the war. In the evening, tour the 1772 Alston House complete with original battle bullet holes. 9 a.m. program free; evening tours start at 6:30 p.m. $5.

Nov. 14-15. Fort Dobbs, Statesville. Military Timeline. North Carolina soldiers have survived combat with many opponents, and the state has sent tens of thousands of her sons and daughters to fight in foreign lands. Visit with Native American warriors, colonial combatants, brothers torn apart by Civil War, and WWII GI's and grunts from Vietnam to learn about their arms, equipment and experiences. 10 a.m. Suggested donation $2.

Most of these colonial-era historic sites also offer special holiday programs in late November and December.

The Division of State Historic Sites and the State Archives are within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. Learn more about the “It’s Revolutionary!” 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.