(The Center Square) – Eighty-nine of 100 counties in North Carolina have America 250 NC committees, and more than $2 million in grants have already been distributed to 74 counties by the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The first of multiple signature events begins in three weeks at the First in Freedom Festival.
“In 2026, DNCR is inviting every North Carolinian to join us in looking back on 250 years of our history and in looking forward to the future of our state,” said Secretary Pamela Cashwell. “Through events and celebrations across North Carolina, we want everyone to have an opportunity to participate in commemorating our shared history and shining a light on what makes North Carolina and its people so special. North Carolina’s stories are an important part of the American story.”
Cashwell and her department say the grants will help support cultural events, physical and digital exhibits and public art.
In an email to TCS, Michele Walker of Natural and Cultural Resources said one county was recently added to the list of those with an America’s 250 committee. Those without are Anson, Clay, Granville, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Scotland, Union, Wilson and Yancey.
July 4 will mark 250 years since the Second Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence. Thirteen colonies made clear their independence from Great Britain and the start of the United States of America.
The first official action by any of the colonies to authorize delegates to vote for independence happened in North Carolina on April 12, 1776. It’s known as the Halifax Resolves and is one of two dates on the state flag.
May 20, 1775, is the other date on the state flag. It is the highly debated date of when the Mecklenburg Declaration was signed, with citizens of Mecklenburg County declaring independence from British rule.
Coupled together, North Carolina promotes itself as “First in Freedom.” That’s one of three options on many vehicle license tags – “First in Flight” and “In God We Trust” are the others.
The First in Freedom Festival is at Moores Creek National Battlefield in Currie. It was the site, on Feb. 27, 1776, of one of the initial patriot victories over the loyalists sending the colonial governor away and inspiring the Halifax Resolves.
On April 11-12, the weekend after Easter, the Halifax Resolves Days happen at the Historic Halifax State Historic Site on the Roanoke River not far from Interstate 95.
There’s an Independence Day event on July 4 at the Capitol in Raleigh. A naturalization ceremony and reading of the Declaration of Independence will happen, with other events there to be planned and announced later.
While these are among the significant events, many others from Murphy to Manteo are on a digitally accessible calendar from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. It includes museums and exhibits this weekend, weather permitting, and throughout the year.
