America 250: North Carolina & the Outer Banks’ Role in American History

In 2026, America 250 (A250) will be a truly monumental celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. With preparations for a truly historic 4th of July well underway across our nation, including here on the OBX, we thought it might be fun to take a look at a few of both North Carolina’s and the Outer Banks’ links to our revolutionary history. North Carolina overall played a key role in the American Revolution, as the home to both early calls for independence and pivotal battlefields in the war.

The Outer Banks’ Significant Role in American History

Due to geography, the Outer Banks has repeatedly been at the crossroads of exploration, defense, innovation, and conflict. Several nationally significant moments in American history occurred on the Outer Banks, and a few of them are genuinely foundational to the country’s story. 

North Carolina’s Role in America’s Beginning

North Carolina played a quiet but pivotal role in America’s beginnings, from early colonial efforts along its coast to bold acts of defiance that helped spark independence. Long before the Revolution reached its peak, the state was shaping the ideals, resistance, and resilience that would define a new nation.

NC’s Revolutionary Connections

There are other strong revolutionary connections around Edenton and, more broadly, on the northern side of the Albemarle Sound (due west of the Northern Outer Banks). Perhaps above all is the famous Blount family, hailing from several places but with strong connections to Bertie County, adjacent to Edenton’s Chowan County. The Blount family included military officers, large landowners, strong supporters of the revolution, future governors and senators, and excellent connections within the revolutionary government. A study of the Blount family, beginning with Jacob Blount and his Constitution-signing eldest son Thomas, is well worth a little backseat reading time as you work your way toward the bridge to the Outer Banks.

While this predates the 250-year timeline, beginning in 1587, it’s impossible to ignore: the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island represents the first English attempt at permanent settlement in the New World, laying groundwork for what would eventually become the United States. The Lost Colony theater production here on the Outer Banks tells the story of the first English settlement in the New World.

North Carolinians Who Signed the Declaration of Independence

Upon entering North Carolina on your trip to the beach, it’s worth pausing this holiday to think for a moment about the North Carolinians who actually signed the Declaration of Independence, now almost 250 years ago. Prominent among our local Carolinian signers and Founding Fathers was Joseph Hewes, from nearby Edenton, North Carolina – a short day trip from the Outer Banks.

Hewes served, on occasion reluctantly, in quite a few capacities leading up to and during the revolutionary period with an expertise in maritime thinking and business affairs. In addition to his early congressional service, he is perhaps best known for securing the first naval commission for one of our nation’s foremost naval heroes, John Paul Jones. 

Notable Historical Sites On the Way to the Outer Banks

Many visitors to the Outer Banks will, of course, pass through some of our nation’s most historic spots during their travels: Williamsburg, for example, home to the only college in America with a royal charter, and the crucial battlefield of Yorktown is within minutes. Side trips to Monticello (a world heritage site, a little over an hour west of I-295 around Richmond) and Madison’s Montpelier are well worth the time if you leave a day or so early for your vacation. If you need a quick stop on your travels south, the Battle of Great Bridge took place roughly at the Virginia-North Carolina line, and it’s worth a fast stop to visit this oft-forgotten but important early colonial confrontation that set the tone for much of the later conflict in Virginia.  

America 250 Celebrations on the Outer Banks

With this year’s 4th of July falling on a Saturday, some of the OBX America 250 festivities will take place on the preceding Friday or the following Monday. Parades and fireworks will take place from Friday through Monday as we together celebrate a quarter of a millennium since the birth of our shared and wonderful nation. Additional OBX A250 events are occurring on other dates throughout the year. We’ll keep sharing history, too, as we lead up to the remarkable America 250 celebration.