Governor Caswell Memorial Event celebrates a soldier and statesman

Photo from Governor Richard Caswell Memorial State Historic Site Facebook page.

Richard Caswell was elected governor in 1777 and served three, time-limited one-year terms. He also served in the colonial militia and colonial assembly and later commanded the state militia in the fight against Great Britain. Join in a tribute to Caswell’s long service Saturday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Governor Caswell Memorial State Historic Site.

“After almost eight years we are pleased that the Caswell site will be bringing programs back to honor the first governor of the state of North Carolina,” says Operations Manager Morris Bass.

To highlight Caswell’s long service as a political and military leader of both the British colony and the fledgling state of North Carolina, members of the 3rd North Carolina Continental Line and Dobbs County Militia reenactment groups will portray camp life and present musket and cannon firing demonstrations of the Revolutionary War period.

“Come learn about flintlock weapons of the 18th century and experience the sound and smell of gun smoke firsthand. You will see how soldiers did their best to cook rations with a minimum of kitchen wares. Join us for a day of fun and facts,” Bass continued.

The Governor Caswell Memorial pays tribute to North Carolina’s first state governor and houses artifacts from the Revolutionary War period, and artifacts that portray Caswell’s life. As governor, he was a man of great renown. The exhibit examines his life before and after being governor, his family, town, military career and business life.

The memorial site location was once part of the “Red House” plantation that the Caswell family once owned. All that remains of the plantation is the family cemetery that is owned by the Mosley-Bright Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and administered by the Caswell Memorial site.

The Governor Richard Caswell Memorial is located at 2612 West Vernon Ave., Kinston, N.C., and open Friday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free.

For additional information, please call the site at (252) 526-9600 x222. The CSS Neuse Center and the Richard Caswell Memorial are within the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.