s e r u t n e Adv
By Michael E.C. Gery
Park ntain State Medoc Mou Halifax CVB
Historic H alifax
Halifax CVB
Halifax CV
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Lake Gasto n
The spirit of independence:
Halifax County and the Roanoke Va ey hey say “the spirit of independence” was born in Halifax County. When you visit here, you soon find out that you are free to do just about anything. The Roanoke Valley region has carefully preserved its heritage and natural wonders while welcoming any free spirit to have a good time. Your first stop should be Halifax County Visitors Center, 260 Premier Blvd., Roanoke Rapids, 27870 (800-522-4282 or www.visithalifax.com).
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About 300 years ago, people from Virginia came into this area because the Roanoke River made it a promising place to farm, fish and grow industries. Siouan-speaking Saponi came down the river from western Virginia while white European colonists and black people, both free and enslaved, came from eastern Virginia. Today they all are still here farming, fishing and growing industries. The Haliwa-Saponi mainly in the Hollister area number about 4,000, white people about 19,000, black people about 30,000. And the month of April is important to each community. The annual Haliwa-Saponi Pow-Wow, largest in the state, is the third weekend in April at the tribe’s 54 APRIL 2012 Carolina Country
school grounds (39021 Hwy. 561, Hollister, 27844, 252586-4017, www.haliwa-saponi.com). April 12 is Halifax Day in Historic Halifax, where in April 1776 planters and shakers here hosted the North Carolina 4th Provincial Congress that produced the first legislation declaring American independence from Britain. And it was in April 1986 when Concerned Citizens of Tillery began commemorating the contributions African Americans have made to the region (Tillery History House, Monday–Friday, 321 Community Rd., Tillery, 27887, 252-826-3017, www.cct78.org).
The Heritage Although locals around 1759 held “riots” for independence in nearby Enfield, Historic Halifax today is a State Historic Site that recalls the 1770s–1830s when Halifax as the 18th century county seat (it still is) was the liveliest place along the river. Handsome, restored buildings show off the architecture and furnishings of the times when proud people conducted business, visited, entertained, attended court and frequented taverns. Some 14 buildings and sites are open to the public, and guides in period costumes make them interesting and fun. It’s free and open Tuesday– Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (252) 583-7191 or www.halifax.nchistoricsites.org.