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Dare County is embarking on a commemoration of the 250 anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

On Nov. 4, 2024, Dare’s commissioners adopted a resolution endorsing America 250 NC and its mission and established a committee to achieve the goals of the America 250 NC.

Gov. Roy Cooper created America 250 NC to plan the commemoration of the 250th anniversary and the state’s integral role in that event. The governor charged the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to lead the commemoration.

Already developed are three themes:

Visions of Freedom: The American Revolution was the beginning of the continuing journey for North Carolinians to seek true freedom.

Gathering Voices: North Carolina’s many voices inspire future generations to create and lead.

Common Ground: Places carry our stories of struggles, creation and connection to one another.

The commemoration is supported by various exhibits already developed around the themes. Museum exhibits will be developed across the department’s numerous history museum. Traveling exhibits are already put together and reservations are current underway. One-Day Wonders are filled with artifacts and original documents, which are available for one day only along with a person to help interpret the exhibit.

Educational outreach and online and other resources such as podcasts, classes and publications including a special edition of Tar Heel Junior Historian, a children’s book series and more.

Two kinds of grants are available from the state: $30,000 for specific projects and $10,000 for county committees. The deadline for this second round is Dec. 16, 2024.

County manager Robert L. Outten put together the proposed committee of 24 members. The resolution adopted by the commissioners “officially adopted the list.”

The members selected are Austin Paul, Jockey’s Ridge State Park; Kim Sawyer, Roanoke Island Festival Park; Brian Edwards, COA – Dare; Gray Parsons, The Secotan Alliance; Colleen Fagerstern, Daughters of the American Revolution; Tammy Woodward, Outer Banks History Center; Meaghan Beasley, Dare County Libraries; Danny Couch, Hatteras Island representative; Michael Anderson, NPS-Outer Banks Group; Jamie Whitley, Town of Manteo; Michelle Lewis, Roanoke Island representative; Jeff Schwartzenberg, Outer Banks Visitors Bureau; Karen Brown, Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce; Patty O’Sullivan, Dare County Veterans Service Officer; Kay Nickens, Town of Duck; Lauren Garrett, Town of Kitty Hawk; Rachel Tackett, Town of Kill Devil Hills; Roberta Thuman, Town of Nags Head; Dare County Schools representative; Dare Arts representative; Katelin Kight, Dare County; and Dorothy Hester, Dare County.

In addition to the American 250 NC committee, the commissioners made the following appointments:

– Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo Community Center: reappointed Jason Heilig and Roberta Midgett.

– North Carolina Association of County Commissioners provides that each county is entitled to one vote on all questions at its Legislative Goals Conference held in Wake County Nov. 14-15, 2024. Board Chairman Robert L. Woodard was selected.

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