It’s been a year of celebrating all things American, and though the July 4th holiday has passed, the 250th Anniversary lats all year and there are still more ways to learn more about the founding of our country and commemorate America250.
The Brunswick Town Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) has secured a spot on the schedule for a traveling exhibit entitled the American Revolution Experience. The Chapter applied two years ago to serve as a host for the exhibit, and the scheduled visit is August 14-21 at the Southwest Brunswick Branch Library.
“All DAR chapters were given the opportunity to apply for hosting the exhibit,” Teresa McLamb said. McLamb is a past president of the Brunswick Town Chapter of NSDAR and currently serves as as Registrar and Media/PR co-chairman for the group. “We applied two years ago! It has been so popular that the time period for traveling the country was extended,” she said.
The exhibit may be seen during normal operating hours for the library at 9400 Ocean Hwy West (U.S. 17) in Carolina Shores.
NSDAR’s mission statement is the promotion of patriotism, education and historic conservation, McLamb explained. “We have many local initiatives that center on education including the nationally recognized Constitution Week in September and support of several schools and colleges including Crossnore’s two North Carolina campuses,” she said.
Bringing the exhibit to Brunswick County gives residents and visitors to learn more about the colonial citizens of southeastern North Carolina who played key roles in the rebellion that became the American Revolution, in defiance of the Stamp Act at Brunswick Town, the Patriot victory at Moore’s Creek bridge, riders alerting Isaac Marion at the Boundary House of the advancing British troops, the Tory Hole victory at Elizabethtown, and much more, according to a release from the Brunswick Town Chapter.
It’s a chance to consider “how fortunate we are to live in a democracy; how fragile that right is, and how we have a responsibility to protect our freedoms that were so valiantly fought for by our ancestors,” McLamb said.
Funded by American Battlefield Protection Program Interpretation Grants and NSDAR, the exhibit opened at DAR headquarters in 2023 and has been traveling the country since in honor of America 250, according to the release. The exhibit consists of 12 panels arranged in pairs that cover thematic topics raised by the individuals featured in the exhibition. Examples include “Choosing Sides,” “On the Front Lines” and “Freedom or Slavery.” Three touchscreen displays augment the panels – one focused on the featured individuals, one highlighting places connected to those stories that can still be visited and one that includes Trust-produced animated maps that offer deeper context by showing the course of the full Revolutionary War as battles unfolded across the continent.
The exhibit is free and all residents are encouraged to attend. It arrives in Brunswick County after being exhibited in Sampson County and will travel from here to Conway, South Carolina.
The opportunities to learn more about Brunswick County’s role before and during the Revolution don’t end when the exhibit leaves for its next stop. There are many local resources available for residents. McLamb suggests first and foremost, going to Brunswick Town where the first armed resistance in the colonies against British rule took place.
“Site Manager Jim McKee is a treasure trove of local historical knowledge,” she said. “A complete set of the Colonial Records of North Carolina is available at the Brunswick Community College library in Building A on campus where there is also a genealogy research repository created by Brunswick Town NSDAR for public use. Southport Historical Society has a collection of local information at their headquarters as well as online. Brunswick Historical Society has all of their publications online. Many new books and documentaries have been produced in honor of America 250! They’re available on several streaming services and at all the local libraries.”
The mission of NSDAR is the promotion of patriotism, education and historic conservation.
“We have many local initiatives that center on education including the nationally recognized Constitution Week in September and support of several schools and colleges including Crossnore’s two North Carolina campuses,” McLamb said. (Crossnore Communities for Children provides holistic care to children and families who have experienced trauma.)
Besides bringing the exhibit to Brunswick County, the group has been participating in other America250 events, including installing and dedicating historic markers at Brunswick Town and the county courthouse. Members also participated in Flag Day, and in the NC 4th of July Festival, when members hosted the newly-sworn citizens at a reception in their honor. The group also sponsored a float in the parade and created and published a series of articles on local patriots.
And there’s more to come.
“Our next scheduled event is dedication of a Liberty Elm at Rourk Library in commemoration of the elm tree under which the Sons of Liberty met,” McLamb said.
Members of the Brunswick Town Chapter also encourage finding out more about our own families — there may be some patriots in our family trees.
“Many local residents descend from Patriots of the American Revolution, but are unaware,” McLamb said. “Brunswick Town NSDAR and Cape Fear SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) can assist those who have an interest in celebrating their heritage through membership in the organizations.”
