June 2018
Sunday History Hike: Old Town Cemetery
Join historian/archaeologist Dr. Ken Ostrand for a two-hour in-depth tour of the Old Town Cemetery. Established in 1757, the Old Town Cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is among North Carolina’s oldest and most historic burial grounds. Dr. Ostrand will explore life and death in the 19th century, share some of the hidden secrets of the cemetery uncovered by recent cleanings, and discuss future plans for this ‘hidden gem’ of Hillsborough’s history. Along with noteworthy…
Find out more »July 2018
Sunday History Hike: Occaneechi History
Meet John “Blackfeather” Jeffries at the Hillsborough Visitors Center and join him for a history hike along the Eno River. Mr. Jeffries, a tribal chief of the Occaneechi, will take visitors on a journey 400 years in the making, teaching them what he calls the “our-story” of his people, as opposed to the “his-story.” Learn how the Occaneechi were ousted from coastal Virginia after Bacon’s Rebellion in the late 1600s, founded a village near present day Hillsborough, and have retained…
Find out more »August 2018
Sunday History Hike: Old Town Cemetery
Join historian/archaeologist Dr. Ken Ostrand for an in-depth tour of the Old Town Cemetery. Established in 1757, the Old Town Cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is among North Carolina’s oldest and most historic burial grounds.
Find out more »September 2018
Historic Hillsborough Saturday Guided Tour – CANCELED
This tour has been canceled due to Hurricane Florence 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…
Find out more »October 2018
Hillsborough Halloween Spirits Tours – FRIDAY CANCELED
Note: Our Friday tours have been canceled due to inclement weather. Saturday's forecast is better and we hope to see you there. Hillsborough, the oldest town in the Triangle, is haunted! Join the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and The Orange Community Players for the annual Haunted Tour through the historic district to encounter these ghostly residents! This fun and dramatic tour will bring you face-to-face with Hillsborough's past. This year will feature a new route and new characters including Captain and…
Find out more »Hillsborough Halloween Spirits Tours
Note: Our Friday tours have been canceled due to inclement weather. Saturday's forecast is better and we hope to see you there. Hillsborough, the oldest town in the Triangle, is haunted! Join the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and The Orange Community Players for the annual Haunted Tour through the historic district to encounter these ghostly residents! This fun and dramatic tour will bring you face-to-face with Hillsborough's past. This year will feature a new route and new characters including Captain and…
Find out more »December 2018
Visitors Center Closed
The Visitors Center will be closed from 12/23 to 1/6 as we get a new paint job. See you in the new year.
Find out more »February 2019
Revolutionary War Living History Day 2019
Have you ever wanted to make a whirligig? Maybe a game of hoop and stick is more your style? Perhaps you’ve always wanted to cook over an open fire? All of these activities and more are included in this year’s Revolutionary War Living History Day. Every year, The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough puts on a Living History day to experience this region’s Revolutionary Era history with a hands-on festival of activities for participants of all ages. They include military reenactors,…
Find out more »March 2019
Historic Hillsborough Guided Walking Tour
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…
Find out more »April 2019
Art in the Heart of Hillsborough: Arts and Crafts Show
The Hillsborough Arts Council (HAC) is pleased to present the 11th Annual Art in the Heart Art Fair on April 27, 2019 from 10AM-4PM (rain date April 28). This year, with a record number of artist applications to choose from, we are pleased to be presenting a high quality selection of talented local artists and craftspeople. Visitors can expect fresh and exciting artwork for all budgets, one on one with artists, and other outdoor festivities. Participating artists include a wide…
Find out more »June 2019
75th Anniversary of D-Day Remembrance Event
On June 6, 1944, Allied troops stormed the beaches at Normandy in Nazi-controlled France. On June 6, 2019, The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough will present Remembering D-Day, an event to honor those that fought and the many people who lost their lives in the battle. The event will feature a talk from Bill Melega, a nationally recognized history educator. There will also be interactive displays and a candle lighting ceremony with a live performance of Taps. . D-Day was the…
Find out more »August 2019
Carolina Tarwheels Bikefest 2019
Join Carolina Tarwheels for their annual Bike Fest. There will be three Rural Heritage Tours of varying lengths (100 miles, 62 miles, 35 miles) where riders will experience scenic rural vistas along quiet country roads, historic farmsteads, rustic churches and other examples of the pastoral heritage of the Piedmont. There will also be a free family-oriented seven mile self guided ride through Hillsborough's Historic District. The Tarwheels donate all proceeds, in excess of expenses, to bicycling related activities in our community.…
Find out more »October 2019
Colonial and Revolutionary War History Tour
Experience American Colonial history through the unique perspective of one of North Carolina’s oldest and most historically significant towns with an historic guided walking tour of downtown Hillsborough. Established in 1754 as the seat of government for Orange County, Hillsborough’s colonial legacy and its importance in North Carolina and American history can be seen throughout the town. The tour begins at the Hillsborough Visitors Center, located in the eighteenth century Alexander Dickson Farm House, and guides visitors to a variety…
Find out more »Outlander Walking Tour
Take a trip back to the times when Jamie and Claire visited Hillsborough in the wildly popular Outlander series. Visit the sites featured in the series and explore what the town would have been like in the times of colonialism and revolution featured in the books and the television series. GET TICKETS HERE
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Spirits of Hillsborough Halloween Tour
Hillsborough, the oldest town in the Triangle, is haunted! Join the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and The Orange Community Players for the annual Haunted Tour through the historic district to encounter these ghostly residents! This fun and dramatic tour will bring you face-to-face with Hillsborough's past. This year will feature a new stop on the route! Tours last approximately one hour. The ghost performances are family-friendly, but please be aware that this is a walking tour over several blocks, and may include hills…
Find out more »February 2020
Revolutionary War Living History Day
Every year, The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough puts on a Living History day to help people experience this region’s Revolutionary Era history with a hands-on festival of activities for participants of all ages. The event includes military reenactors, cooking and crafting demonstrations, kid’s activities, games, music, storytelling, and even some dancing. The Living History day has become a tradition in Hillsborough for almost twenty years. Each year, people gather to learn about history and get a first-hand look at one…
Find out more »February 2021
African-American Heritage Walking Tour Kick Off
The African-American Heritage Walking Tour is now LIVE! This walking tour offers a small glimpse into the vibrant and profound African American community that has flourished in Hillsborough, despite race laws, segregation, and discrimination throughout the history of North Carolina. Enslaved and freed people of color lived amongst whites, and all races would have interacted daily, which has added to the complexity of this town’s history. Hillsborough had a large population of freed blacks in the antebellum era, which was…
Find out more »May 2021
Revolutionary War Living History Day
Living History day has become a tradition in Hillsborough for almost twenty years. Each year, people gather to learn about the history and get a first-hand look at one of the most historically significant towns in North Carolina. Hillsborough and Orange County played a significant role in the years leading up to the Revolution. This year the Alliance will be hosting events in-person and online. Visitors can stop by the Dickson House to view Revolutionary War reenactors, say hello to…
Find out more »October 2021
BikeFest 2021- Carolina TarWheels
Scenic rural vistas along quiet country roads. Historic farmsteads and rustic churches. The pastoral heritage of the Piedmont. Make a difference! Register at: https://tarwheels.net/wp/bikefest-fees-dates/ All BikeFest routes start and end on East Margaret Lane near the Orange County Courthouse in downtown Hillsborough. Parking volunteers are there to direct you to free parking lots located near the start. BikeFest offers a choice of 3 routes/rides: a 35-mile half metric, a 62-mile metric century, and a 100-mile English century. The 35 and 62…
Find out more »December 2021
Letters to Santa
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making an appearance at the Hillsborough Visitor Center on Sunday, December 12th from 12:30-2pm! Folks are able to drop off their letters to Santa in person and say hi from afar. *Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there will not be any opportunities to sit on Santa's lap. This is solely to drop off letters and say hello!*
Find out more »March 2022
Revolutionary War Living History Day 2022
Revolutionary War Living History Day focuses on Hillsborough’s unique role in the American Revolution, recalling the occupation of Hillsborough by British General Lord Charles Cornwallis and his 1,900-man army on February 20th, 1781.
Find out more »April 2022
Historic Hillsborough Guided Walking Tour
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…
Find out more »May 2022
Historic Hillsborough Guided Walking Tour
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…
Find out more »June 2022
Historic Hillsborough Guided Walking Tour
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…
Find out more »Historic Hillsborough Guided Walking Tour
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…
Find out more »Historic Hillsborough Excursion Day
Experience Hillsborough, the small town with big history, through a day of activities at our local sites! The Dickson House, the Burwell School, the Orange County Historical Museum, Ayr Mount, the Occaneechi Village, and more, are coming together to showcase Hillsborough's historic significance through reenactments, exhibits, tours, and more. Join us on Saturday, June 25th, 2022 to learn about our cool little town and take pride in our historic roots! For more details, visit www.historichillsborough.org.
Find out more »July 2022
Revolutionary Era Walking Tour of Historic Hillsborough
Join us for a Revolutionary Era guided walking tour of Hillsborough's historic district in celebration of July 4th! 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. This is an in-person walking tour. Please…
Find out more »Churton Street Stroll
Journey back in time, walking the centuries-old streets of Hillsborough, North Carolina. The four-block, in-person walking tour will travel the remarkable history of this unique southern town, beginning in the 1600s. Your tour guide, Barney Caton, explores local events which shaped the nation and key figures such as Billy Strayhorn, Moses Curtis, Elizabeth Keckly, and William Graham, whose legacies reach beyond Orange County. Tours are $15 per ticket; tours begin at 10 am and will last 2 hours. Each tour…
Find out more »Historic Hillsborough Guided Walking Tour
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…
Find out more »August 2022
Historic Hillsborough Guided Walking Tour
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…
Find out more »Historic Hillsborough Guided Walking Tour
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…
Find out more »October 2022
Hillsborough Spirits Tours 2022
We're back in person! Hillsborough, the oldest town in the Triangle, is haunted! Join the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and The Orange Community Players for the annual Haunted Tour through the historic district to encounter these ghostly residents! This fun and dramatic tour will bring you face-to-face with Hillsborough's past. This year will feature a new route and new characters. Tours last approximately one hour. The ghost performances are family-friendly, but please be aware that this is a walking tour over several…
Find out more »November 2022
Historic Hillsborough Guided Walking Tour
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…
Find out more »Poetry “Prose” Workshop: A Friends-Giving for Empowering Writers
Announcing the first POETRY "PROSE" WORKSHOP: A Friends-Giving for Empowering Writers! (Held by Hillsborough Arts Council) Hillsborough Visitors Center (150 E King St) Last Friday, November 25, 6-8 PM $12 to participate. For ages 12+. Our teaching artist is poet, educator, and advocate, Jennifer Daniels! Learn more about Jen at www.justwriteconsultant.com or by following her on IG: @jen_jus_write. We invite you to release doubt and self-judgment and steal back a few hours to nurture your voice, creativity, and confidence to…
Find out more »January 2023
Churton Street History Stroll
Journey back in time, walking the centuries-old streets of Hillsborough, North Carolina. The four-block, in-person walking tour will travel the remarkable history of this unique southern town, beginning in the 1600s. Your tour guide, Barney Caton, explores local events which shaped the nation and key figures such as Billy Strayhorn, Moses Curtis, Elizabeth Keckly, and William Graham, whose legacies reach beyond Orange County. Tours are $15 per ticket; tours begin at 10 am and will last 2 hours. Each tour…
Find out more »