The British Are Coming to Hillsborough

by Patty Griffin | January 22 2010

Information provided by the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough

Continental and British armies occupied Hillsborough during the Revolutionary War. Commanding figures like Horatio Gates, Nathanael Greene, and Lord General Cornwallis headquartered in the town’s inns and taverns. Cornwallis’ ill-spent week in Hillsborough in February of 1781 eventually culminated in his surrender at Yorktown eight months later.

On Saturday, February 20, from 10am-4pm, the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough will hold its Tenth Annual Revolutionary War Living History Day. Continental, British and militia reenactors will demonstrate camp life during the Revolutionary War and commemorate General Cornwallis’ encampment in Hillsborough on the grounds of the Alexander Dickson House (ca 1790), 150 E. King St., Hillsborough, NC. Events include marching drills, musket-firing demonstrations and open-flame cooking.

The Alliance’s Revolutionary War Guided Tours will also be held that day, beginning and 11:00am and 2:00pm. The 60-minute tour showcases Hillsborough’s revolutionary and colonial era sites, while retelling stories of the events that took place in and around the town. Tours cost $5 per person.

For additional information please call the Alliance office at 919-732-7741 or visit their website at http://www.historichillsborough.org.

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