In The Glorious Cause of Liberty: The 250th Anniversary of the Burning of Fort Johnston

The burning and destruction of Fort Johnston by more than 500 Whig militiamen during the summer of 1775 spurred the colony of North Carolina into a war after which it would never be the same.

The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport, in conjunction with the City of Southport, will mark this historical event with a free symposium, living history demonstrations, and nighttime commemoration. Educational and living history activities both inside the museum and outside on the lawn will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and resume at sunset for a special celebration. Here is the schedule that day:

Living history ( garrison lawn): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Musket/artillery tandem demos (garrison lawn/Bay Street):

10 to 10:30 a.m.

11:30 a.m. to noon

1 to 1:30 p.m.

2:30 to 3 p.m.

4:15 to 4:45 p.m.

Symposium (Southport Community Building):

10:30 a.m.: Jim McKee, “The Construction of Fort Johnston”

Noon: Stephen Atkinson, “HMS Cruizer and British Naval Activity in the Lower Cape Fear”

1:30 p.m.: Jack Fryar, “When the British Came: Revolution in the Cape Fear, 1765-1782”

3 p.m.: Chris Fonvielle, “With Such Great Alacrity: The Burning of Fort Johnston”

Nighttime luminary commemoration (garrison lawn): sunset to 10 p.m.