Historic Halifax

Historic Halifax Home of the Halifax Resolves, the first official call for independence by any American colony! We hope you will visit Historic Halifax soon!
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Visit Historic Halifax, home of the Halifax Resolves, the first official call for independence by any American colony! Welcome to the official facebook profile of Historic Halifax State Historic Site. Historic Halifax is the home of the Halifax Resolves, which was the first official call for independence from England by the elected leaders of an entire colony. Today, Historic Halifax offers tours

of many restored structures which include furnished houses, public buildings, and modern museum galleries. Tours of the historic buildings depart from the visitor center on a scheduled basis and a 13-minute orientation film offers a great introduction to the area's history. Historic Halifax hosts numerous special events througout the year, including Halifax Day on April 12th, Christmas in Halifax on the second Saturday of December, and 2nd Saturdays in June, July, and August. Historic Halifax is open Tuesday through Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM and is closed Sundays, Mondays and most state holidays. Historic Halifax offers rental of certain buildings and grounds areas for special events! Consider having your wedding, party, or meeting at Historic Halifax. Call or stop by the visitor center today for more information and rates! Non-profit organizations receive a discount on rental rates. Historic Halifax is one of 27 sites of the NC Division of State Historic Sites and Properties within the NC Department of Cultural Resources, the agency with the mission to enrich lives and communities, and the vision to harness the state’s cultural resources to build North Carolina’s social, cultural, and economic future.

This week in Halifax history, Elizabeth Montfort Ashe passed away—September 1, 1812.Elizabeth Montfort was born on Febru...
09/06/2026

This week in Halifax history, Elizabeth Montfort Ashe passed away—September 1, 1812.
Elizabeth Montfort was born on February 26, 1762, youngest daughter of merchant, politician, and Masonic “Grand Master of America” Joseph Montfort and Priscila Hill. She was raised in their large home on King Street with sister Mary and brother Henry.
Elizabeth married John Baptista Ashe on October 7, 1779. They built a house called “White Hall” near her sister’s house “The Grove,” at the south end of Halifax along Quankey Creek (in the vicinity of the present-day Halifax County Courthouse). Together, John and Elizabeth had one son, Samuel Porter Ashe.
The Ashes enslaved 63 people as counted on the 1790 Federal Census. The last census Elizabeth was counted on, 1810, the number of enslaved individuals had risen to 69. Elizabeth was listed as the head of household on that census.
In 1781, her bravery was tested when the British Army marched into Halifax. After they pushed the Halifax militia across the Roanoke River, the British occupied the town for several days. General Cornwallis and his officers, including Lieutenant Col. Bannister Tarleton, occupied the homes of the Montfort sisters. According to local tradition, Tarleton made fun of a friend of Mary Jones named William Washington. Tarleton, having recently met him in battle in South Carolina, said that he did not think Washington was literate. The sisters pointed out that he had left his mark on Tarleton’s arm during the battle. Tarleton became so enraged that he stood and reached for his sword. Another officer stopped him from striking the sisters, who stood together, staring him down without flinching. For her courage and patriotism, the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is named after Elizabeth.
Her husband, John was elected Governor in 1802 but died of an illness before he could take office. Elizabeth died ten years later, at the age of 50.
Source: https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/ashe-john-baptist

This day in history: Sept. 5, 1774—The 1st Continental Congress begins in Philadelphia, PA. As a reaction to the Bosto...
09/05/2026

This day in history: Sept. 5, 1774—The 1st Continental Congress begins in Philadelphia, PA.
As a reaction to the Boston Tea Party in December of 1773, the British Parliament passed a series of laws in early 1774 called "the Coercive Acts." Three of the acts punished the Colony of Massachusetts in an attempt to isolate the "radicals" and make examples of them to the other 12 colonies. The 4th Act, "The Quartering Act," made provisions for British troops to be housed in any building they found "suitable." Colonists interpreted this to mean troops could take over their own homes without having any say in the matter.
Here in the colonies, the reaction was the opposite of what Parliament had hoped. Committees of Correspondence began communicating between the colonies as news of the new laws, what were dubbed "The Intolerable Acts," circulated. Sympathy was high for the people of Massachusetts. Colonial anger against the British Crown and Parliament was at an all-time high.
It was decided that the colonies should come together to discuss a unified response to the Intolerable Acts. Twelve of the 13 Colonies elected representatives to send to Philadelphia. Georgia was the lone hold-out, as loyalists outnumbered patriots in that colony. North Carolina called the1st Provincial Congress in New Bern in August 1774, against the authority of Royal Governor Martin. NC sent Richard Caswell, William Hooper, and Joseph Hewes to the 1st Continental Congress.
While some of the members of the Continental Congress were already calling for independence, the majority wanted to try to compromise with Great Britian. On October 20, 1774, the Congress passed the “Articles of Association” which established unity between the colonies, as well as a plan to boycott the importation of British goods. Imports dropped over 97% over the next year. The plan initially was to revisit the boycott after a year--but the beginning of the Revolutionary War in April of 1775 radically changed everything.
For further reading, visit this link: https://visit.archives.gov/whats-on/explore-exhibits/first-continental-congress #173
Pictured Below: North Carolina’s Delegates: Richard Caswell, Joseph Hewes, and William Hooper.

We missed , but still wanted to share this picture postcard with you! : We are travelling back to the late 19th Century...
09/04/2026

We missed , but still wanted to share this picture postcard with you! : We are travelling back to the late 19th Century to look at the second Halifax County Courthouse. This building was constructed in 1846-1847 and took the place of the Colonial Era Courthouse. This structure only stood on this lot until 1909 when it was demolished to make room for the third Halifax County Courthouse, still standing and in use as county offices today. The “Vault” pictured beside the courthouse is also still standing.

Welcome Stephen Johnston, Historic Interpreter I, to the Historic Halifax State Historic Site Staff! Here is Stephen's ...
09/04/2026

Welcome Stephen Johnston, Historic Interpreter I, to the Historic Halifax State Historic Site Staff! Here is Stephen's introduction:
I recently earned my master’s degree in Anthropology, with a concentration in Archaeology, from East Carolina University. My passion for archaeology grew through hands-on experiences in the field and laboratory. As an undergraduate, I participated in an archaeological field school at Brunswick Town, where I worked on the excavation of a historic tavern. During graduate school, I completed an internship with the Office of State Archaeology Conservation Laboratory, where I learned techniques for conserving waterlogged wood and developed a strong interest in archaeological artifact conservation.

Before returning to school, I spent more than twenty years working in retail. Making the transition from retail to archaeology has been an exciting and rewarding journey, allowing me to combine my interest in history and material culture with new skills in archaeological research and preservation.

My professional interests include the colonial period in North Carolina and the conservation of archaeological artifacts. I am particularly interested in how archaeological materials can help us better understand the people, places and stories of North Carolina’s past.

Today is the day! Labors of Halifax is today from 10 AM-4 PM. If you are visiting us today, make sure that you start at...
08/29/2026

Today is the day! Labors of Halifax is today from 10 AM-4 PM. If you are visiting us today, make sure that you start at our Visitors Center at 25 Saint David Street. Come in for a map, some information about the event, and to see the original copy of the Halifax Resolves in our newly-renovated museum. Our neighbors at the Bradford-Denton House and the Royal White Hart Lodge #2 are offering tours as well, and the Edward Cheek house will be handing out watermelon and bottled water from 10 AM as long as supplies last. There is also a food truck in the Town of Halifax's Business District just two blocks from the historic site.

Are you coming to our "Labors of Halifax" Event tomorrow at 10 AM-4PM. Remember to swing by the Visitors Center at 25 S...
08/28/2026

Are you coming to our "Labors of Halifax" Event tomorrow at 10 AM-4PM. Remember to swing by the Visitors Center at 25 Saint David Street to pick up one of these handy-dandy site maps and get updated on where all the activities are located.

Are you ready for "Labors of Halifax?" Tomorrow is the big day! We'll have a lot going on: historic trades demonstrati...
08/28/2026

Are you ready for "Labors of Halifax?" Tomorrow is the big day! We'll have a lot going on: historic trades demonstrations, tours of several of our 18th and 19th Century buildings, and did we mention that its FREE? Our neighbors at the Bradford-Denton House and the Royal White Hart Masonic Lodge will also be open for tours, and the Edward Cheek House will be giving away watermelon and bottled water starting at 10 AM. There will also be a food truck on King Street located in the Town of Halifax's business district (just two blocks from the Historic Site.) If you visit, make sure your first stop is at the Visitors Center at 25 Saint David Street to pick up a map and walk through our newly-renovated museum, including seeing the original copy of The Halifax Resolves before it goes back to the National Archives in October. The kids have had a long, hard first week of school, so bring them to Halifax for some Revolutionary Fun! (Shhhh, we won't tell them that its educational, too.) Here are some pictures from past years.

On this day in 1781, the Marquis de Lafayette wrote to Brigadier General Allen Jones regarding the movement General Corn...
08/27/2026

On this day in 1781, the Marquis de Lafayette wrote to Brigadier General Allen Jones regarding the movement General Cornwallis and the British Army in Virginia. He says, (original grammar and spelling quoted from the transcription) “From the intelligence lately received I am most satisfied the Enemy mean to attempt a retreat through North Carolina and as it is of the highest importance every obstruction should be thrown in their way I request you will be particular in having every boat on the Roan Oak collected and destroyed. I would not wish it delayed as they may fall in the Enemy’s hands and it would furnish them with the means of crossing and render your opposition most difficult. I wish you to collect without loss of time a sufficient number of militia should they attempt to cross the Roan Oak as would render their attempts ineffectual. I have sent the officer who is the bearer of this for the purpose of distroying all the boats and throwing every impediment in their way between this and the Roan Oak.” I have the honor to be Your Obt. Hum Sr. Lafayette”.
Source is the Allen Jones Papers in the Wilson Library at UNC Chapel Hill: https://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/search/collection/02ddd/searchterm/folder_1!02043-z/field/all!all/mode/exact!exact/conn/and!and/order/relatid

As we get closer to our “Labors of Halifax” Event on Saturday, August 29, we thought we’d look at some trades that, whil...
08/26/2026

As we get closer to our “Labors of Halifax” Event on Saturday, August 29, we thought we’d look at some trades that, while common in the 18th and 19th centuries, are uncommon or extinct today.
An “Ostler” is a person who works in the stable of a tavern taking care of horses. Many taverns either hired or enslaved ostlers to work in the tavern’s stables. The spelling of this word can also be “hostler,” they were both used in the Colonies.
Today, we think of a “tailor” as someone who makes clothes of all styles. In the 18th Century, clothing makers specialized in a certain type of clothing. A “breechesmaker” made pants, a “mantuamaker” made dresses, and a “milliner” made hats and accessories.
Tradespeople made everyday items in their shops by hand. Today, we’d just buy these things at Walmart or Tractor Supply, or even online. At one time, Halifax had a saddler, wheelwright, and shoemaker. The saddler worked with leather to make saddles, bridles, and harnesses. A wheelwright worked on wagons and buggies. Local merchant George Owens advertised having shoemakers employed in his store on King Street making custom-fit shoes. Another merchant, Andrew Fleming, was selling the cloth and materials needed to make clothing and accessories.
Pictured here, Halifax newspaper advertisements from “The North-Carolina Journal” published August 27, 1804; “The Roanoke Advocate” published on March 31, 1831 and July 5, 1832.
For more information on 18th Century Professions, visit: https://www.history.org/history/teaching/trades.cfm

On this week in Halifax history, Thomas Burgess and Allen Jones Davie fought a duel August 29, 1806. Dueling in the Fed...
08/25/2026

On this week in Halifax history, Thomas Burgess and Allen Jones Davie fought a duel August 29, 1806.
Dueling in the Federal-Period reached a “heyday” in the early 1800’s. The practice of dueling was something that “gentlemen” participated in to avenge slights that they felt “dishonored” them. They would “call out” their rival, agree to have a friend be their “second,” to iron out the details of the duel, and then meet to “have honor satisfied.” Usually just meeting at the appointed time and place would be enough for the two men to work out their differences. However, other times the duel would end violently, even fatally. The most famous example of dueling during this period is the Alexander Hamilton/Aaron Burr duel on July 11, 1804, that resulted in Hamilton’s death. In North Carolina, former governor Richard Dobbs Spaight was shot behind the Masonic Hall in New Bern by John Stanly on Sept. 5, 1802. After Spaight’s death, the North Carolina Legislature acted to make dueling illegal. However, society still participated in the practice.
In this local example of dueling, attorney Thomas Burgess met Allen Jones Davie in Virginia. Davie was the son of William Richardson Davie and grandson of General Allen Jones. Both men fired but missed—likely shot into the air, which was common—and their “seconds,” were able to come to a mutual understanding. “. . . the dispute was then accommodated to the honor and satisfaction of both gentlemen.” This article was published in the September 1st, 1806, edition of the “North Carolina Journal” here in Halifax. For more on dueling in North Carolina, visit here: https://www.ncpedia.org/dueling #:~:text=Although%20the%20legislature%20outlawed%20dueling,%2C%20governors%2C%20and%20U.S.%20senators.

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25 Street David St
Halifax, NC
27839

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

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