Governor Richard Caswell to 'Return' to Kinston for Historic Declaration Reading and Monument Rededication July 11

A dramatic public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Morris Bass, portraying Governor Richard Caswell in full period attire, will pay tribute to the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Photo Courtesy of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

In a stirring tribute to the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Kinston-Lenoir County Tourism and Development Authority, in coordination with the CSS Neuse Civil War Museum and the Governor Richard Caswell Memorial, will hold a public event on the steps of the Lenoir County Courthouse. On Saturday, July 11, at 9 a.m., the spirit of North Carolina’s first governor will visit the courthouse, located at 130 S. Queen St., to mark the birth of the nation he helped build. The CSS Neuse Museum and Governor Caswell Memorial are administered by the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

The morning’s proceedings will feature a dramatic public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Matthew Young, portraying Governor Richard Caswell in full period attire. Young, the current Manager of the Richard Caswell Memorial State Historic Site, is performing as a volunteer on behalf of the Kinston-Lenoir County Tourism and Development Authority.

Governor Caswell, a pivotal figure in the American Revolution and a signer of the North Carolina Constitution, served as a voice of liberty during the Revolutionary War. He was a delegate to both the First and Second Continental Congress and served as the first governor of the independent state of North Carolina.

Accompanying Governor Caswell will be members of the Dobbs County Militia reenacting group. Their presence will offer attendees a glimpse into the military life of the late 18th century, providing an authentic historical backdrop to the morning’s proceedings.

Immediately following the reading, the ceremony will shift focus to the Governor Caswell monument at the courthouse. In recognition of Caswell’s deep ties to the fraternal order, a group of Masonic brothers will formally rededicate the monument. This ceremony honors Caswell’s legacy as a statesman and soldier, but also as a Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina. Following the ceremony, the Governor Caswell Memorial, located at 2612 W. Vernon Ave., is open to visitors until 4 p.m.

“This event is about more than just looking back. It’s about connecting our local history to the national story of the story of America 250,” said Matthew Young, Site Manager of the CSS Neuse Civil War Museum and Caswell Memorial. “Kinston played a vital role in the early days of our state and nation, and we are thrilled to partner with the Kinston-Lenoir County Tourism and Development Authority to bring this history to life.”

This event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a viewing spot along Queen Street. Please contact Matthew Young at (252) 526-9600 x232 for more information.

About the CSS Neuse Civil War Museum and Governor Caswell Memorial
The CSS Neuse is the only remaining commissioned Confederate ironclad above water. It was part of a new technology the Confederacy used to counter the Union Navy's superior manpower and firepower. Learn about this technological advance and warfare in eastern North Carolina at the CSS Neuse Museum. The Confederate Navy launched the CSS Neuse, attempting to gain control of the lower Neuse River and New Bern, but ultimately destroyed the vessel to keep it out of Union hands. The Governor Caswell Memorial pays tribute to North Carolina’s first State governor. The Memorial houses artifacts from the Revolutionary War time period. There are reproductions of items to portray the life and times of Governor Richard Caswell.

The CSS Neuse Museum is located at 100 N. Queen St., Kinston, N.C., and open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $5/Adult: 13 years old to 64 years old, $4/Senior: 65 years old, $3/Child: 6 years old to 12 years old, and ages five and under are free. As a Blue Star Museum program member, all active-duty military personnel with ID and their families of up to five members get free admission. The Caswell Memorial is located at 2612 W. Vernon Avenue. It is open to visitors on Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. For more information, please visit https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/css-neuse-and-governor-richard-caswell-memorial.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.