Historic Halifax Helped Pave the Way to America’s Independence
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Visit the historic town of Halifax on the 12th of April, and you might believe you’ve been transported to the year 1776. Townspeople march along the streets in colonial costumes, living history demonstrations unfold before your eyes, and gun smoke and patriotic music fill the air.
The captivating celebration is Halifax Day, an annual event that pays tribute to the signing of the Halifax Resolves, a resolution signed in Halifax by the Fourth Provincial Congress three months before the signing of our nation’s Declaration of Independence on July 4. Considered one of the most important events in North Carolina history, the adoption of the Halifax Resolves was the first official move for independence made by any of the 13 original American colonies.
“Halifax is the birthplace of independence for our nation,” says Lori Medlin, executive director of the Halifax County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “These people were quite brave to take such a bold step toward declaring independence from England. What’s also very special is Halifax is a preserved port town from 1776, and they’ve gone to painstaking efforts to ensure everything is authentic to that era.”
Today, the Historic Halifax State Historic Site covers 80 acres and allows visitors to step back in time to the American Revolution as they tour centuries-old buildings such as the Eagle Tavern, where legend has it the Halifax Resolves were signed, as well as eight restored homes, two museums, a law office and a colonial cemetery.
“The [1838] jail was opened to the public in 2008, and kids can go in and touch things and open the doors to see what it was like to be thrown in jail back then,” Medlin says.
The Tap Room is another interesting building at Historic Halifax. It was built between 1760 and 1810 and served as an inn.
“Back in the 1700s, people didn’t reserve a whole room or even a whole bed at an inn – they reserved a spot in a bed, so you never knew who you’d be sharing a bed with,” Medlin says with a laugh. “The Tap Room is great fun for families to visit, because you can sit in real Windsor chairs downstairs where people would eat and drink, and then the kids can go up and roll around on the beds. It’s not a stuffy museum – it’s very hands-on.”
The Historic Halifax Visitor Center offers an audiovisual presentation as well as exhibits on Halifax history. The eight restored homes on the property include the Owens House, which dates back to 1760 and is furnished as the home of a prosperous merchant. Another is the 1808 Sally-Billy House, an elegant Federal-style plantation home.
“One unique building is the Montfort House, a replica of the home of Joseph Montfort, the first, last and only Masonic Grand Master Mason of North America,” says Monica Moody, director of the historic site. “The home is built over the foundation of the original house. We also have an 1832 Clerk’s Office, where we do a printing press demonstration, and we have hands-on activities like colonial games, butter-making and quill writing.”
The historic site is located along State Highway 903 off Interstate 95 and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“It’s really charming and very interactive, and it’s small enough that you can walk everywhere,” Medlin says. “It’s unique and memorable, and more importantly, you’re stepping onto a significant spot in American history.”
Story by Jessica Mozo
Photo by Todd Bennett
