RALEIGH — Even without the General Assembly’s America 250 committee meeting in March, the state’s commemoration of the country’s 250th anniversary continued with a special focus by America 250 NC on Women’s History Month, highlighting the state’s revolutionary roots and women who helped shape the nation.
America 250 NC also sponsored the First in Freedom Festival, drawing thousands of visitors despite rainy weather. It featured hands-on crafts about North Carolina’s Revolutionary history, Battle of Moores Creek Bridge trivia and exhibits about the state’s “First in Freedom” heritage.
Across the state, new America 250 exhibits opened at Tryon Palace and Battleship North Carolina, as well as the 1775 Edenton Tea Party, and sites in Martin, Alamance, Dare, Buncombe and other counties.
Traveling exhibits — including “When Are We Us?” “Making Our Voices Heard,” “People of Colonial North Carolina” and “March to Kings Mountain” — rotated through museums, libraries and historic sites from Moore County to the mountains.
Other highlighted events include a statewide cleanup, a book club and “Flat Cornelius.”
North Carolina the Beautiful, a new statewide cleanup campaign, was launched in partnership with the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Green Team and North Carolina Aquariums. Counties and groups are invited to host events all year to protect the places that will be celebrated for the next 250 years.
A free virtual book club event examining Charles Frazier’s “Cold Mountain” is open to all ages and set for April 29 at 6 p.m.
Flat Cornelius, the flat cutout like the popular children’s series Flat Stanley, appeared at multiple events in March, including a Homeschool Day in Kinston, ShowFest in Charlotte, Brunswick Town’s Stamp Act event and the Moores Creek Bridge commemoration.
Americans for Prosperity (AFP), The LIBRE Initiative and Concerned Veterans for America will be hosting a large America 250-themed event in Greensboro on April 25 from 3-6 p.m. at the Greensboro Complex.
“This celebration is part of the One Small Step Initiative, a movement empowering everyday Americans to take meaningful steps that advance freedom and opportunity in their own communities,” the AFP event website reads.
The website also says attendees will experience “powerful conversations” with national and state leaders reflecting on America’s founding ideals and the work ahead to strengthen them.
There will be interactive opportunities to take “One Small Step” through civic commitments and hands-on engagement, which includes a “dynamic” atmosphere blending storytelling, inspiration and grassroots energy, and meaningful connections with hundreds of fellow advocates committed to making their communities and country stronger.
Confirmed speakers so far include Sen. Ted Budd, Congressman Pat Harrigan and State Auditor Dave Boliek.
Advance registration for the Greensboro is required at tinyurl.com/nsj-AFP, and the full calendar, traveling exhibit schedule and information on how to get involved in statewide America 250 events can be found at america250.nc.gov.
