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Fayetteville, North Carolina – History, Heroes, and a Hometown Feeling

By Ann Hattes
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A year before the Declaration of Independence, a group of 55 local patriots met to pledge their lives to the defense of American liberty -- what has become known as the “Liberty Point Resolves.” In 1783 Fayetteville changed its name from Campbellton to become the first U.S. city to so honor the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette, who aided the colonies in their fight for independence.

vt_hattes1012Fayetteville and Cumberland County in North Carolina are steeped in history and patriotic traditions from pre-Revolutionary history to the 82nd Airborne Division and Special Forces troops.

Located on the Cape Fear River, this inland colonial port settlement served as a conduit between the back country and supplies from Europe. A year before the Declaration of Independence, a group of 55 local patriots met to pledge their lives to the defense of American liberty -- what has become known as the “Liberty Point Resolves.” In 1783 Fayetteville changed its name from Campbellton to become the first U.S. city to so honor the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette, who aided the colonies in their fight for independence. In the early 20th century, Fayetteville became an official north/south halfway point for travelers going to and from Florida, and today even those traveling by Amtrak from New York to Miami can make a stopover.

There is much to see and do here. In a jump through time, join parachute and glider-borne troops in their extraordinary feats at the Airborne & Special Operations Museum in downtown Fayetteville. Walk through a section of a C-47’s interior, listening to the drone of the engine as men prepare for a parachute assault, and see how Special Forces units became one with the sand during Operation Desert Storm. Beyond the life-size dioramas and multi-media exhibits, experience airborne training in the Pitch, Roll and Yaw motion simulator and get an up-close view of training with the 15-minute film shown on a four-story screen.

Just outside the city is Fort Bragg, founded in 1918, and the nation’s largest military installation. Have your picture taken with Iron Mike, the statue dedicated to the airborne trooper. At the 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum, learn the story of the division from 1917 (pre-Airborne) to present day and see an outdoor aircraft display. Also at Bragg visit the JFK Special Warfare Museum spotlighting the history of unconventional warfare dating back to the French and Indian War and Rogers Rangers.

Fort Bragg is open to all U.S. citizens but civilian visitors must show a photo ID at one of two main checkpoints.

Returning to the city, there’s the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum, Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, Market House, and a bit further afield, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden, 85 landscaped acres overlooking Cross Creek and the Cape Fear River.

Appointments are also necessary to visit the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Armory with historical documents, weapons, uniforms and memorabilia from its more than 200-year history. First organized in 1793 when President George Washington called for town militias, it is the oldest militia unit in continuous existence in the South. See the carriage that the militia used to escort the Marquis de Lafayette when he was an official guest of the United States on the nation’s 50th birthday. Lafayette told the governor who met him, “I have waited with great anticipation to come to North Carolina, the state to make declarations of independence over a year before they were echoed at a Congress.”

Fayetteville’s Light Infantry was a deployable unit through WWI but serves as a ceremonial unit today. They meet once a month for drill, with a tradition on special occasions of taking turns drinking from an artillery shell casing. With Fayetteville originally settled by Scots, it’s natural that the infantry’s official drink would be Drambuie, the private recipe of Bonnie Prince Charles.

Learn more about exploring Fayetteville’s historic and military landmarks, monuments and more at www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com.

On festive occasions, consider adding a small amount of Drambuie to favorite dessert recipes or sauces for meats. Cooks.com offers this recipe for Pumpkin Chiffon Pie with Drambuie.

 


Recipes:

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Sweet Potato Fritters with Pear Coulis

 

Ann Hattes has over 25 years experience writing about both travel and food for publications both in the US and internationally. A senior living in Wisconsin, she’s a member of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association and the Midwest Travel Writers Association.

Meet Ann