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.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/414441
NOVEMBER 12-18, 2014 UCW 11 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Fayetteville Celebrates Its Constitutional Heritage BY STEPHANIE CRIDER Something big happened in Fayetteville on Nov. 21, 1789: North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, and it happened right here in Fayetteville at the State House that stood where the Market House is today. In 1788, North Carolina held a constitutional convention in Hillsborough; however, delegates decided not to take action with regard to the Constitution and many feared it did not guarantee enough individual rights. The next year, with the promise of a Bill of Rights, another Constitutional Convention was held in Fayetteville and action was indeed taken. It's been 225 years since that momentous day when North Carolina officially joined the union — and that is something to celebrate. "I don't think a lot of people realize Fayetteville's place in history in that time period," said Heidi Bleazey, museum specialist at the Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum and North Carolina Veterans Park. "It is huge for us. We became a state right there where everyone drives around the traffic circle. I don't think people understand the role that Fayetteville played in that." Now the community has a chance to get a better understanding of the significance of Fayetteville's role in the formation of America. There are exhibits, tours, historical sites and trails to explore and ceremonies to attend — all with the goal of sharing the history of the community with its members and celebrating the city's role in the formative years of our young republic. On Saturday, Nov. 22, the Market House will open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for people to explore the exhibit, "A View from the Square: A History of Downtown Fayetteville." In addition, a special exhibit highlighting the people, places and pivotal decisions related to the 1789 Constitutional Convention and General Assembly meeting held in Fayetteville is on display that day. Admission is free At 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., take a Constitutional Ratification Bus Tour and trace the footsteps of the delegates of the 1789 Constitutional Convention. The tour visits the Phoenix Masonic Lodge # 8, Cool Spring Tavern, James Square and Cross Creek Cemetery Number 1. The tour lasts an hour but packs a lifetime (or several lifetimes) of historical facts into the ride. The tours begin at the Market House. Participants will travel via bus but the tour may involve moderate walking. The tour has a fee of $3, which can be made in cash when you board the bus. Space is limited. For more information, or to register, call (910) 433-1457, 1458 or 1944. The tour is recommended for ages 10 and older. Don't miss the 225th Celebration Ceremony at the Market House at 1 p.m. Mayor Nat Robertson and other special guests will be on hand to pay tribute to the Constitution. A limited number of commemorative coins are available to celebrate the occasion, as well. Admission is free. From 1-5 p.m. the Museum of the Cape Fear, in cooperation with the Cumberland County Public Library will host a mini-symposium at Headquarter Library, where scholars will discuss three different topics: Life for the average North Carolinian; the 1788 Hillsborough Convention; and the 1789 Fayetteville convention. The event is free. The Museum of the Cape Fear will also host an exhibit featuring the original signature page of the ratification document through Dec. 14. Call 486-1330 for more information. The Fayetteville Area Transportation & Local History Museum hosts the exhibit, "From State House to Statehood", through the end of the year. The exhibit explores the people and places that are relevant to this pivotal historic event. Many Fayetteville sites relevant to the Revolutionary War period can be explored on the American Independence Cultural Heritage Trail. You can also visit the sites virtually with the American Independence Trail video. STEPHANIE CRIDER, Editor. COM- MENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. The North Carolina State House, above, stood at the site of the Market House. Here, N.C. del- egates ratified the Constitution. Friday, November 14, 2014 7:30 pm at the Crown Theatre Master of Ceremonies Co-Producers The Fayetteville Observer Chuck Weber Hinkamp Jewelers Executive Producers Judy DiBacco ERA Strother Real Estate Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home Spring Lake Dental Group - Mid-South Lighting Dr. David G. Dickerhoff Nationwide Insurance - Mike L. Warren Powers-Swain Chevrolet Producers Rogers & Breece Funeral Home Bryan Honda - Robert W. Breece Bullard's Furniture Sandhills Oral Maxillofacial Surgery - Mohler Homes, Inc. Dr. Gary Jones, Dr. Gerald Beatty Dr. & Mrs. Michael Ruff Up & Coming Weekly Dr. Robert Calabria DDS - Valley Auto World Orthodontist Yadkin Bank Nathan's Heating & Air, Inc. Village Green Real Estate & Development Wellons Realty 79th Season Presents For Sister Act Tickets call: Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or Visit the Crown Box Office www.CrownComplexNC.com For Season Memberships and Info: (910) 323-1991 or (910) 303-3513 www.community-concerts.com