Dashboards and Saddlebags the Destination Magazine™ Issue 021 December 2012 | Page 12
Project 543 #34
Project 543 Alamance Battleground
Follow A Battle That Was A Preview
Of The American Revolution
I
n the late 1700 s , a group of
colonists disgruntled with
British rule decided to revolt and
overthrow the government. This
wasn’t Washington and Jefferson, it
was a group called the “Regulators.”
And unlike their counterparts a
few years later, these patriots were
defeated in battle and several were
hanged as traitors. However, their
tactics would become a model for
the American Revolution. Today,
visitors can tour the site of this
pre-Revolutionary War battle
at the Alamance Battleground
Historic Site in Burlington, see
a home that is characteristic of
Project 543 tells the story of unique
spots across North Carolina we
hope will become some of your
favorite places. Why 543? Because
that’s the number of miles from
Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in
the mountains, and is traditionally
considered to be the width of our
state. The entries in this project are
in no particular order, and we’ll add
to them each week. Check in often to
find inspiration for your next trip, or
start planning today at VisitNC.com.
Photo credit: Burlington / Alamance
County Convention & Visitors Bureau
12
that era, learn about what led to
the conflict and witness historic
re-enactments during the 18th
Century Living Experience
weekend as well as other special
events. A visitor center is located
on the very same grounds where
Royal Governor William Tryon led
the North Carolina militia against
the Regulators in battle on May 16,
1771. The center also features an
audiovisual program about the site.
Alamance Battleground
On this site in 1771, an armed
rebellion of backcountry farmers
— called Regulators — battled
against royal governor William
Tryon’s militia. Visitors can tour
the 18th-century Allen House and
battlefield monuments. These
features, together with the visitor
center’s DVD orientation program,
offer a vivid account of this colonial
battle, as well as the oppressive
British colonial policies that
sparked the revolt.
Formation of the Regulators
During the years leading up to
Continued On Page 18
Dashboards and Saddlebags •The Destination Magazine