Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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JULY 5-11, 2017 UCW 25 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM On July 14, the Fayetteville Indepen- dent Light Infantry Armory & Museum opens its doors for an informative and family-friendly open house. Fayette- ville's military history reaches back long before Fort Bragg opened, and these 224 years of history will be on display during the open house. "e Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry was formed in 1793 under an act of Congress called the Militia Act, signed by President George Washing- ton," Heidi Bleazy, a museum specialist, explained. "In a time before Fayette- ville's large military post, Fort Bragg, the FILI mustered, drilled and prepared to serve the defense needs of the state and nation. ey were the military escorts of Lafayette when he was here in Fayetteville in 1825." Being able to trace its inception back to local families in 1793 is significant for the FILI. "It is the oldest militia unit in continuous existence in the South and one of the oldest in the country," Bleazy said. "Known as the 'Corps of Gentlemen,' today, members still come from the community. Some are active duty and retired servicemen." e group served in the War of 1812 and some conflicts throughout World War I. Since the FILI has existed continuously for such a long time, the museum has captured a unique local perspective on a staggering amount of American history. e FILI Museum is a private museum. Normally tours are by appointment only, so the open house July 14 from noon until 4 p.m. is a unique opportuni- ty to explore the treasures inside. Bleazy described it as "a chance to meet some of the museum staff and learn about what militia units, specifically the FILI, did and do, as well as view artifacts from several dif- ferent wars. A walk through the FILI Armory & Mu- seum features the well-known Lafayette Carriage." Also July 14, the Fayetteville Area Transportation & Local History Museum will open another histori- cal site in Fayetteville not usually open to the public: e Market House Museum, which resides on the building's second floor. "e Market House is an iconic building for Fayetteville, built in 1832 to replace the state- house that burned in the Great Fire of 1831," Bleazy said. "It is Cumberland County's only National Landmark. Not only is the Market House itself important to the travel and trade history of this community, but the site is where North Carolina ratified the U.S. Constitution and became the 12th state; (where) the Uni- versity of North Carolina was chartered; and (where) Lafayette addressed the citizens of his namesake city." e Market House Museum open house is part of an overall effort to open the second floor of the building to the community more often. It is an important part of the local history that interested community members should be able to see. According to Bleazy, this event isn't just exciting for community members. "Museum staffs are always excited to host events like this," she said. "So many people enjoy learning and sharing and are often surprised at the big and little stories that make Fayetteville's history intriguing, unique and worth exploring. " e FILI Museum is located at 210 Burgess St. For more information, visit www.fili1793.com. Explore Local History at the FILI Armory & Museum by ERINN CRIDER EVENTS ERINN CRIDER, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. (910) 484-6200. Peek into Fayetteville's past at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory & Museum open house.