- [Rick] The town of Halifax is the seat for Halifax County.
There are only about 230 people living here,
but back in the day, when the town was founded in 1758,
this place was hopping.
- Historic Halifax was a trade center.
It was right here on the Roanoke River.
The Roanoke River at this point in time, the 18th century,
was used as the means to take goods
from one place to another, but, during the 19th century,
you begin to see the rise of the railroads,
and, unfortunately, the railroads did not
pass through Halifax.
- [Rick] That was bad news for the future prosperity
of the town and this part of the state,
but it's also been a blessing for historians.
- The town is literally preserved, a snapshot of history
from 1776, and that's very rare in our culture
to find that kind of preservation.
Also, there were people in the town that knew
how important the history was and really worked
to preserve the buildings.
It's very exciting.
- What attracted me to this community was
the preponderance of buildings.
Everywhere you walk here, you find history.
It's all over.
I've got an 1838 jail.
You just don't find that these days, a complete jail.
It's sitting beside of a late 19th century clerk's office
and printing press, a working printing press.
That's fantastic.
- [Rick] And these are just some of the many buildings
you can tour at Historic Halifax today.
The site is one of 27 locations preserved and operated
within our state by North Carolina Historic Sites.
The presentation at Halifax has recently seen
some improvements that will raise its profile immediately.
- Now, what we're doing is we're doing
more onsite interpretation.
We're looking toward advancing our programming
to rather than doing two and three, four programs a year,
we're doing at least 10.
We're filling up our schedule with as many
interpretive opportunities possible
for both the public and for us.
- Yeah, we're very excited about the changes
and the new things happening at Historic Halifax.
If you came to Historic Halifax 10 or 15 years ago,
you must come back.
The site is coming back to life.
The interpreters are now in costume,
and you'll see living history.
A printing press will be running,
or a blacksmith will be working at the site.
It's a wonderful opportunity to bring your kids
and literally step back in time to 1776.
- [Rick] That was the year, of course, we became a nation
with the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain,
but, even before that happened on the 4th of July,
there was the signing of a document
called the Halifax Resolves, dated April 12th, 1776.
That's when North Carolina's representatives
became the first members of the colony to formally call
for separation from Great Britain.
The tiny town of Halifax was such a big deal at the time
that George Washington himself came to visit,
a stay over that town folks still talk about.
- The story is that George Washington came to Halifax
during the Revolution, and he said to the people of Halifax,
"Wait here. Don't do anything until I come back".
- [Rick] And, pretty much, they've obeyed.
George never came back, but, every year,
the Halifax Resolves is observed here
with a throwback to 1776.
- If you come in April to our Halifax Resolves day,
this is the day where we're not only looking at the men
who wanted freedom from England, we're also looking
at the women and the free black men and the enslaved
who, while the town is discussing freedom,
was not coming to any of them.
- [Rick] Studying history is one thing.
Immersing yourself in it, and walking the same paths
where these events took place more than two centuries ago,
that's the difference you can feel at Historic Halifax.
- Historic Halifax is an old town
within the more modern town of Halifax.
It's easy to find, but, to see, hear, and learn all you can
from the interpreters, you'll wanna be sure and visit
while the historic buildings are open.
To find out more about the town and its history,
go to nchistoricsites.org/halifax,
or call their office at 252-583-7191.