Ayr Mount Tours 2025
2025-05-16 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-23 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-29 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-30 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-31 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-05 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) and 7 more dates | Ayr Mount Historic Site, 376 St. Mary's Rd, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Located in Hillsborough, North Carolina, Ayr Mount strikes a startling figure in the historical town. The 1815 federal, masonry edifice was the first of its kind in this once bustling trade town, and thanks to the preservation efforts of our founder Richard Jenrette, remains well preserved with several original family objects on display.
CAHPT invites you to explore the site to learn about the design, construction, and maintenance of the estate as well as the lives of those, enslaved and free, who crafted and occupied the extravagant home and landscape from 1820 to 2018.
Visitors are welcome to explore the site select Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays April through November. Guided tours will be offered Thursday & Friday at 1:00pm and 2:30pm. Tour times for Saturday take place at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm. All guests must purchase tickets in advance.
Tickets can be bought here: https://secure.jenrette.org/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents
This is a potentially strenuous tour which includes climbing stairs, traversing uneven terrain, and enduring uncomfortable weather conditions and the presence of bugs or other wildlife. We regret that we cannot be responsible for those needing assistance and encourage all guests to dress accordingly. No food or beverages are allowed in the houses with the exception of a closed bottle of water.

Historic Hillsborough Guided Tours
2025-05-17 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-05-24 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-06-07 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-06-14 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-06-21 10:30 - 12:30 | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Experience American history through the unique perspective of one of North Carolina’s oldest and most historically significant towns, with a guided walking tour of downtown Hillsborough. Established in 1754 as the seat of government for Orange County, Hillsborough’s colonial legacy and signs of its importance in North Carolina and American history can be seen everywhere.
The tour begins at the Hillsborough Visitors Center, located in the eighteenth century Alexander Dickson Farm House, and guides visitors to a variety of historic places from the site of a 1790s African American-owned distillery to the 1840s Orange County Courthouse and the grave of one of North Carolina’s signers of the Declaration of Independence.
This is an in-person walking tour that sometimes crosses uneven terrain. Please plan to be walking or standing for the duration of the event, wear comfortable walking shoes, and bring a water bottle (plus your curiosity)!
For groups that are concerned about the length, duration, or terrain of the tour. Please, contact The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough for other options, including bus tours.
Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/3277bebb-5a4c-48ec-9a1e-0c4e287138b5

Hillsborough on Tap: Local Trivia & Non-Profit Showcase
2025-05-22 19:00 - 20:00 | The Rookery, 115 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Time: 7:00–8:00 PM
Location: The Rookery, Hillsborough, NC
Hosted by the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, Hillsborough on Tap is a special event celebrating our Annual Meeting in a fun, engaging format. This evening gathering brings together board members, staff, volunteers, and community partners to share our collective goals and missions in a relaxed and social setting.
The evening begins at 7pm with a partner showcase, where participating organizations will each have two minutes to introduce themselves and share highlights of their work in the community. The Showcase will be followed by Local Trivia, with questions drawn from the presentations and local history. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams.
Learn more about the space:
Located at 115 W Margaret Lane in the heart of historic downtown Hillsborough, The Rookery is a family-friendly bar offering a welcoming atmosphere for all. With both indoor and outdoor seating—including cozy fire pits and a relaxed lounge area—it’s an ideal spot to unwind. The Rookery features a creative cocktail menu and encourages patrons to bring their own food or order from nearby sister restaurant Nomad.
This event is free and open to nonprofit partners, board members, volunteers, and community supporters. For more information and updates about Hillsborough on Tap, visit our event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1368497407507265/

Masonic Hall Guided Tours
2025-05-30 18:00 - 20:30 | Mason’s Lodge, 142 W. King St. , Hillsborough, NC, United States
The brothers of Eagle Lodge #19 are inviting the community to our historic Masonic Hall building for guided tours from 6-8:30 pm on the last Friday of each month from April to September. Tours are ongoing, so stop by anytime during Last Friday.

You will begin with a history of our lot, located along the Occaneechi Trading Path, where the Regulators destroyed Edmund Fanning’s house in 1770. We will then welcome you inside and guide you through one of the earliest and most significant Masonic buildings in North America. Designed by North Carolina state architect William Nichols in the early 1820s, our Greek Revival lodge building was constructed to be a lodge under the supervision of master builders Samuel Hancock and John Berry and was completed in 1825. Inside, you will learn about the fire that nearly destroyed the building in 1945, the unique arrangement of masonic lodge rooms, some of the meaning behind our iconic symbols, our connections to the history of UNC, the design feature that was removed from our roof during the Civil War, as well as the building’s many additional uses. For example, the building once doubled as the Hillsborough Opera House and during several wars the building served as a hospital or preparatory for the American Red Cross.

We will also have cold bottled water and sodas for guests, with additional activities throughout the summer in conjunction with the Arts Council’s Last Fridays celebrations. Tours are free, though donations to our Historic Eagle Lodge Foundation are greatly appreciated and will contribute to ongoing preservation of our building.

"Past Meets Present" Preservation Tour
2025-05-31 10:00 - 15:00 | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Join the “Past Meets Present Preservation Tour” for an exclusive glimpse into the unseen facets of Hillsborough’s historic charm. This specially curated tour offers behind-the-scenes access to both public spaces and private homes, unveiling rarely seen interiors and providing unique insights into ongoing preservation efforts.
What to Expect
The day begins with an exclusive morning reception at Leland Little Auctions, where tour attendees will be invited inside Leland Little’s showroom for a special open house. This is a rare opportunity to explore the showroom and learn from experts in the field.
The Preservation Tour is self-paced, with knowledgeable docents stationed at each stop to share the stories and significance behind the spaces. Participants must check in and receive wristbands for entry. The tour includes six unique locations—some public, others private residences—each offering an exclusive look at historic preservation in action. Sites will be open from 10:30 am to 3 pm, and attendees are encouraged to plan their own routes accordingly.
The day concludes with an end-of-day reception at Ayr Mount, where guests will enjoy refreshments and the chance to step inside this historic home. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet the current owners and hear about their experience stewarding one of Hillsborough’s most beloved historic sites.
Hospitality Room
All attendees are invited to relax and recharge in the Hospitality Room, located inside the Dickson House. Complimentary refreshments will be available throughout the day.
Tickets & Check-in
Tickets for the Preservation Tour are $25 and can be purchased here: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/past-meets-present-preservation-tour
All attendees must check in at the Dickson House (Hillsborough Visitor Center) or at Leland Little (only in the morning) before visiting the tour locations. A welcome table will be located near the front porch or inside the Dickson House, where guests can pick up programs and wristbands. Check-in begins at 9:30am on Saturday, May 31st, with early pick-up available from 10 am to 4 pm on Thursday, May 30th.
For questions or concerns regarding check-in, please email Ben@historichillsborough.org.
Hands-on History Fair
Meet local preservationists, artisans, and history-minded organizations at our free Hands-on History Fair on May 31st. Discover how we keep the past alive through restored artifacts, tools of the trade, and hands-on activities for all ages.
Made Possible By
This event is generously supported by Leland Little Auctions and the Richard H. Jenrette Foundation, whose commitment to historic preservation makes this program possible.

Hands-on History Fair
2025-05-31 10:00 - 15:00 | Hillsborough Visitors Center, 150 E King Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Join Us for the FREE Hands-On History Fair!
Get ready to step into the past at the Hands-On History Fair on May 31st from 10am–3pm at the Hillsborough Visitor Center grounds! This FREE community event brings history to life with fun, family-friendly, and interactive experiences.
Meet local preservationists, artisans, and history-minded organizations as they showcase the many ways we keep the past alive—from restored artifacts and tools of the trade to hands-on activities designed for all ages. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious, there’s something for everyone to explore!
This event is held in conjunction with our Past Meets Present Preservation Tour. The Past Meets Present Preservation tour is a paid self-guided tour where participants will be able to explore inside 7 different preserved historic buildings in Hillsborough.
To learn more about the FREE Hands-on History Fair or the paid tour, please visit our website: https://historichillsborough.org/preservationfest/

Telling the Full Story Installation
2025-06-14 10:00 - 19:00, 2025-06-16 10:00 - 19:00, 2025-06-21 10:00 - 19:00, 2025-06-23 10:00 - 19:00 | Orange County Main Library, 137 W. Margaret Ln, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Event Details

Telling the Full Story | From June 14th to July 30th at Main Library, explore a powerful visual installation that spotlights Hillsborough’s history through stories shared by people connected to our town and collected by the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough. Learn more about the project at historichillsborough.org/map Main Library is located at 137 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278.

Songs of the Freedom Bound: A Juneteenth Celebration and Poetry Reading
2025-06-18 18:30 - 20:00 | Burwell School Historic Site, 319 North Churton Street, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Join us for a Juneteenth celebration! We are overjoyed to host Crystal Simone Smith and Dr. Sheila Smith McKoy on June 18, 2025, at 6:30pm. Crystal will read from her new release, Runagate: Songs of the Freedom Bound, a collection of haiku and tanka about the enslaved, a reimagining of their flights of escape. Dr. Smith McKoy will deliver a brief history of Juneteenth, leading us into a powerful reflection on and celebration of this important holiday. Both scholars will be available for a Q&A and book sale/signing following the reading.

*254th Annual Regulator Remembrance Event*
2025-06-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Regulator Historic Site at Cameron Park, 200 East King Street, Hillsborough, 27278
The 254th Annual Regulator Remembrance Day Event will take place Thursday, June 19, at 6 p.m., at the Regulator Historic Marker site in Cameron Park, 200 E. King St., Hillsborough.
This year’s event marks the 2534th anniversary of the date on June 19, 1771 when six early American patriots were executed at the site by English colonial Governor William Tryon on the charge of High Treason against the King of England for questioning English colonial authority as part of the Regulator Rebellion.
A mammoth stone slab was placed at the site in the late 18th/early 19th century as a marker. Since 1771, descendants and the general public have quietly visited the site to lay flowers there in remembrance of those brave patriots. That tradition has continued for over 250 years.
More formal commemoration events were revived again in 2013 by Scott Washington, former Assistant Director of the Orange County Historical Museum and Hillsborough Historian. The annual Regulator Remembrance Event is a way for descendants and all who care about this history to intentionally remember these early patriots.
The 254th anniversary ceremonies will include introduction of special guests, historical remarks, reading of the names of those who were executed on this date, a tolling of the bell, followed by a chance for the public to bring and lay flowers at the Regulator Marker just as people have done for more than 250 years.
Representatives of Alamance Battleground Historic Site, elected officials, descendants of the original Regulators, and many others are also expected to be present at this popular event.
The event is free and open to the public.
