The Battle of Guilford Court House was fought on March 15, 1781.
Despite the fact that our team led by General Nathanael Greene lost to the British under General Lord Cornwallis, it was one of the critical battles that paved the way to the British surrender at Yorktown in October 1781.
The 242nd anniversary of that battle is being celebrated with reenactments on Saturday March 11 and Sunday, March 12 beginning at 2 p.m. each day at Greensboro Country Park.
The reenactors will set up military encampments depicting the lives of 18th century Revolutionary War soldiers. Vendors will also have Colonial merchandise and goods for sale. Modern day food and drinks will be for sale at the reenactment battlefield and by Shelter 2 in Country Park.
On Saturday, March 11 the activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday March, 12.
Admission to the reenactment and all the other activities is free.
The Orman Road and Nathanael Greene entrances to Country Park will be closed during the event. Public parking for the reenactment is available at the adjacent Jaycee Park at 3802 Jaycee Park Dr.
The reenactment will start promptly at 2 p.m., so people are being advised to arrive at the Jaycee Park parking lot at least 10minutes early. Shuttles will be provided to transport people from the parking lot to the reenactment battlefield.
Because cannons and muskets make a lot of noise even when shooting blanks, dogs are not permitted at the reenactment battlefield.
For more information and a map go to: http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/reenactment
The reenactment is not held at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. However, the National Park Service will host living history programs including black powder musket demonstrations on Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12 at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park.
Other National Park Service anniversary events include guest lectures and tours of the park.
For more information about the anniversary events at the National Military Park go to: https://www.nps.gov/guco/planyourvisit/annualparkevents.htm
Just a note to any who may attend, please feel free to engage in conversation with the participants and to visit in the camps. DO NOT OPEN CLOSED TENT FLAPS!! That’s just plain rude. There are reasons why tents are closed. Don’t handle any tools or other material without permission of the owner – especially weapons. Swords, bayonets, knives, tomahawks, etc are SHARP. Reenactors enjoy talking about the organizations that they represent and explaining the material culture of the era. You will have many subject-matter experts among them. If a person doesn’t know much about whatever is your particular interest, he/she can probably direct you to someone who does. Enjoy the visit. “Battles” are on Country Park each day at 2:00 PM. Please note that after the battle on Sunday, folks will be packing up to travel home, so will be less enthusiastic about getting into conversations. Note also that there will be different Battle Scenarios each day. One day will be the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, the other will be a representation of a different battle/skirmish that happened in this area as part of the same campaign. It’ll be interesting both days.
History? What’s that? I’m pulling for the British this time, why isn’t this on TV like Monday Night Raw wrestling? Why are they dressed so funny? Sorry, I went to public school and was taught this country is bad.
I think it’s time for another battle of Guilford Courthouse.
Went. Great. Amen. (Sunday reenactments cancelled due to expected poor weather.)