Did your ancestor fight in the Revolutionary War in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse? Are you interested in meeting other descendants of Revolutionary War veterans? This event is for you! 
Join Guilford Courthouse National Military Park for our first ever Descendants Symposium! The symposium will kick off with a summary of the accomplishments of the park's dedicated citizen archivists, who have transcribed all pension files of identified veterans of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. Kevin Eugene Graham will deliver the keynote address on his ancestor, Zachariah Jacobs Holmes. Descendants will then discuss how they have researched and uncovered the stories of their Patriot ancestors and what those stories mean to them today. The event will conclude with an audience Q&amp;A session.
Opening Remarks: Supervisory Ranger Tom Sobol
Keynote Address: Kevin Eugene Graham, descendant of Zachariah Jacobs Holmes, and former President of the Sons of the American Revolution Lower Cape Fear River chapter
Panel Discussion of Descendants of Veterans of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse: former Mayor of Greensboro John Forbis, Kevin Eugene Graham, Mary Linville, Solomon Titus Taylor, and Eric Bruce Wilson
 
Panelist Biographies:
Kevin Eugene Graham is a native of Brunswick County, NC and a graduate of Elizabeth City State University. His parents are the late Malon Graham Sr. of East Arcadia, NC, and the late Dora Jane Kelly-Graham of Winnabow, NC. Kevin was born in Wilmington, NC. Mr. Graham is a proud descendant of many patriots who fought in the American Revolutionary War. His patriot ancestors were John Blanks Sr., Zachariah Jacobs, and Shadrack Chavis, all of whom were free men of color from Brunswick County, Bladen County and New Hanover County, North Carolina. On February 21, 2020, Kevin proudly accepted the position of President of the Lower Cape Fear Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, as the first African American to hold the office. Kevin’s research as a historian and genealogist has focused primarily on free families of color from the counties of Bladen, Columbus, New Hanover, Robeson, Pender, and Sampson prior to the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. His research is available on his family reunion website <a title="Original URL: http://www.graham-reunion.com/. Click or tap if you trust this link." href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.graham-reunion.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cthomas_sobol%40nps.gov%7C7f5be4859f34428b5ea408ddf218db6c%7C0693b5ba4b184d7b9341f32f400a5494%7C0%7C0%7C638932910755861277%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=qtNc6CcaQLphacx83CTy60MirVVife7lUuU7bDS3iNM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">www.graham-reunion.com</a> and <a title="Original URL: http://www.blanks-reunion.com/. Click or tap if you trust this link." href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blanks-reunion.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cthomas_sobol%40nps.gov%7C7f5be4859f34428b5ea408ddf218db6c%7C0693b5ba4b184d7b9341f32f400a5494%7C0%7C0%7C638932910755881752%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=bZt1RErBj7hx2Gn%2Bq4KCajOUvAK1IwZFleFf3ZIv%2BXM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">www.blanks-reunion.com</a>
Mary Linville attended St. Mary of the Woods College, Tennessee State University, Vanderbilt University.  She worked as a nurse and nurse practitioner for 37 years, mostly in public service and non-profit health care.  She and her husband now own a small business, and they breed cattle. In her spare time, Mary writes grant proposals for a local non-profit.  As soon as she retired, she went back to her first love, history!  She loves her work as a Citizen Archivist transcribing Revolutionary War pension applications.
Solomon Titus Taylor is a proud community leader, United States Marine Corps veteran, historian, and the founder of the Titus Family Foundation and the Kids Basketball Association (KBA). His life’s work has been dedicated to mentoring youth, preserving history, and uplifting his community. He has traveled across the country, speaking at universities and community events, sharing his passion for the importance of knowing where we come from and the power of telling our stories. He believes that understanding our roots and embracing our legacy can inspire transformative change and help shape a brighter future for generations to come.
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Eric Bruce Wilson is a resident of Falls Church, Virginia. He has an undergraduate degree in History from the College of William and Mary in Virginia and a law degree from the George Mason School of Law. He retired from the U.S. Department of the Interior where he applied his knowledge of history and law for more than 37 years. His interest in the park stems from learning that his maternal Fourth Great Grandfather served in the battle as a member of the Virginia militia from Botetourt County.
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First Annual Descendants of Battle of Guilford Courthouse Veterans Symposium

Join us for a ranger led discussion of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. Learn how British and American soldiers experienced the battle and how it affected the course of the Revolutionary War. 
Programs last around 30 minutes and may include up to a quarter mile walk.
Note: Programs are subject to change and/or cancelation due to inclement weather, heat, or other unforeseen circumstances. Weather-appropriate clothing and closed toe shoes are recommended.

The Battle of Guilford Courthouse

Immerse yourself in the American Revolution! Join a ranger for a fun activity at the Nathanael Greene Monument Lawn. Programs vary by date but can include the following:
Colonial Medicine
<ul>
<li>In 18th century America, there was limited knowledge and treatments for the sick or injured. Medicine had to be shipped to the colonies. Those who lived in the backcountry of North Carolina were not the first to receive medical supplies. What techniques did they use when medicine was not available? Students will learn about colonial medical techniques and ingredients in backcountry North Carolina.</li>
</ul>
Battlefield Archeology
<ul>
<li>Historians and archeologists use various kinds of evidence to accurately interpret a battlefield. Using archeological evidence and primary sources, students will determine which section of the battlefield corresponds with their evidence and argue their case.</li>
</ul>
Divided Loyalties
<ul>
<li>Loyalist or Patriot? Was the decision to stay loyal to Great Britain and King George III or fight for American independence an easy choice? Step into the shoes of historic individuals who lived through the Revolution and use facts about their lives to guess where their political loyalties were. </li>
</ul>
Revolutionary War Pensions
<ul>
<li>Roughly 2,000 American veterans and their surviving widows of the battle of Guilford Courthouse applied for pensions in the 1800s for their service in the Revolutionary War. Explore some of those individual stories and learn how they proved their military service and eligibility for a pension.</li>
</ul>
 
Note: Programs are subject to change and/or cancelation due to inclement weather, heat, or other unforeseen circumstances. Weather-appropriate clothing and closed toe shoes are recommended.

Hands On History by the Greene Monument

Arts and Culture

Theater

Auto and ATV

Scenic Driving

Biking

Road Biking

Guided Tours

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Self-Guided Tours - Auto

Living History

Historic Weapons Demonstration

Junior Ranger Program

Park Film

Museum Exhibits

Architecture and Building

African American Heritage

American Revolution

Arts

Painting

Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite

Farming and Agriculture

Military

Infantry and Militia

Monuments and Memorials

Wars and Conflicts

American Revolutionary War

Women's History

Animals

Trails

This email is the basic contact that will then be routed by the Administration to the appropriate staff member.

"I never saw such fighting since God made me. The Americans fought like demons." - Lt. General Charles, Earl Cornwallis On March 15, 1781, six years into the American Revolution, General Greene and Lord Cornwallis' troops faced off at a small courthouse community. The battle would change the course of the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution.

Bronze and granite monument of General Nathanael Greene on horseback

General Nathanael Greene Monument

Hoskins' House and Kitchen Located on the Grounds of the Colonial Heritage Center

Hoskins' House and Kitchen

Historic New Garden Road

Two cannons on grey carriages (wheels) sit in a forest

6 pounder cannons

18th Century Field Drum at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

18th Century Field Drum