Experience the rich history of North Carolina through lectures, publications, historical interpretations, and an educator’s corner.

Commentary
Colonial North Carolina

Edenton Tea Party: An American First

1664-1775

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding, we see that many events contributed to the nation's declaration of independence. This article tells us about the women's political resistance of Oct. 25, 1774.

Political Documents

Penelope Barker (1728 – 1796)

1664-1775

Penelope Barker (1728–1796) was a remarkable woman. She is known for organizing what is called the Edenton Tea Party. On October 25, 1774, she persuaded fifty women to support fellow colonists in their resistance to British taxation. In a formal statement, the 51 ladies promised not to drink tea or wear English linen.

Commentary
Federalist

N.C. Has a Long History as Battleground State

1776-1835

The 2024 electoral cycle once again showed that North Carolina is a battleground state. But this should not be surprising—it has often been divided over important issues. This article begins with the Constitutional Convention in1787.

Colonial North Carolina

Wilmington Tea Party

1664-1775

A public and political action by Wilmington women, the Wilmington Tea Party occurred sometime between March 25 and April 5, 1774.  It was one of the many tax protests that swept the American colonies after the Boston Tea Party of December 16, 1773.

Military History

The Battle of the Atlantic off the Outer Banks of North Carolina

1916-1945

During the first six months of 1942, 86 merchant ships, primarily American and British, were sunk off the Outer Banks of North Carolina. At least 1200 men died. Many North Carolinians are still unaware of those losses.

Commentary
Civil Rights Movement

Should Southern Military Bases Be Renamed?

1836-1865

On January 1, 2021, Congress enacted (over President Trump’s veto) a defense funding law that calls for renaming military bases that honored Confederate generals. Samuel R. Staley, writing for the Independent Institute, gives an intriguing argument in favor of the renaming.  His argument is not that Confederate generals were traitors, as some have claimed (and others...

Early America

The Great Wagon Road

1664-1775

The Great Wagon Road was an important throroughfare in colonial and early America. Northern colonists searching for farmland began traveling the road in the 1720s, and thousands others followed suit during the mid-eighteenth century. The Moravians, in particular, migrated into North Carolina via the pathway, and the main road prompted the establishment of Charlotte and Salisbury.

Colonial North Carolina

The Mecklenburg Resolves

1664-1775

On May 31, 1775, the county of Mecklenburg, North Carolina signed 20 resolutions or “Resolves.” They start by saying that a recent address by Parliament had stated that “the American Colonies are declared to be in an actual State of rebellion.” Whereas by an Address presented to his Majesty by both Houses of Parliament in February last,...

Early America

The Battle of Kings Mountain

1776-1835

The Battle of Kings Mountain took place on Oct. 7, 1780. A Patriot victory, it was a turning point of General Charles Cornwallis's Southern Campaign and of the revolution itself.