The British Are Coming to Hillsborough

by Patty Griffin | January 23 2012

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 18, from 10 am – 4 pm, the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough will hold its Twelfth 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 in February 1781 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 at 11 am and 1 pm. 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 more information, call (919) 732-7741.

Photo by David Hunt

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