Hillsborough Visitors Center — Attraction in Hillsborough

Hillsborough rivals Boston, Philadelphia, and New York in terms of historical significance to the United States, but this is largely unknown outside of the local area. Hillsborough was one of the first inland settlements in the southern United States and one of the chief crossroads in the South. It was the Southern terminus of the Great migration from Central Pennsylvania to the North Carolina Piedmont during the late 1600s and early 1700s. Daniel Boone left from Hillsborough to open up the Cumberland Gap. The War of the Regulators in the 1760s was a major prelude to the American Revolution centering around Hillsborough and culminating in the Battle of Alamance which some historians argue is the actual first battle of the Revolution. It predates Lexington and Concord, was larger and decided by cannon in favor of the governor. The leaders were hung in Hillsborough and you can visit the site of the hanging near the visitor center.

In the movie, the Patriot, there is a great deal of discussion about the "race to Hillsborough." This is Hillsborough. After the Battle of Cowpens, General Greene led his army north into the Piedmont backcountry with General Cornwallis following. Greene was able to get across the Dan river, in flood stage, into Virginia before Cornwallis was able to catch up with him. Cornwallis's army spent the winter starving in Hillsborough leading up to the battle of Guilford courthouse in the spring and Cornwallis's eventual march to Yorktown. Hillsborough's paved streets were originally paved by Cornwallis to allow his cannon to be maneuvered as Greene sent harassing parties to Hillsborough. There is a road called Cornwallis road just outside of town where Cornwallis cut a road to march his army out to Yorktown. The North Carolina ratification convention for the US Constitution happened at a church in the northern part of the historic town in walking distance.

Sherman's march ends at Bennett Place between Hillsborough and Durham where Sherman and General Johnson from the Confederacy signed the largest surrender of the civil war. Robert E Lee was trying to break out from Petersburg to Hillsborough to join up with Johnson's army when he got trapped at Appomattox. General Johnson's army was about three times the size of Lee's army at that point and was camped in what is now the parking lot of Home Depot in Hillsborough. Dug in mortar sites are still found around town.

The visitor center is located in what was General Johnson's headquarters which has since been moved to the center of town.

NASCAR also started in Hillsborough and the old track is walkable. You can walk to the racetrack from the visitor center, about 2 miles.

Hillsborough was also a site for the civil rights movement and you can find plaques, "MLK spoke here" at a number of pulpits around town.

If you are a history buff, this is definitely a place that you will...

The wife and I are big on American history and this is a great little town to see. The star of the show is Amanda in the visitors center! Her personality lights up like a Christmas tree as she explains the local history - well, actually, when she explains anything! She is tops at customer service and thinks of things you might not in terms of helps. As a retired historical architect, the house that the visitors center is located in is wonderful to see, a good restoration, and lots of architectural detail. (Call the number posted on the front porch to be let in - it's a Covid distancing thing.) Another big winner is Courtney over in the historic museum a few blocks away! She is very well versed, so just ask a few questions and then stand back and watch her go! You will learn a lot in a modest amount of time as she walks you through the exhibits. Truly worth it - and free! There is fine dining in the same couple blocks at Antonia's (call ahead for a reservation) on Churtan St and the prime rib sandwich at the Wooden Nickle a few doors away is really good! Pick a day to "get away" and drive into this little town. Cruise the streets to see many old historic homes, many with date markers. Or come near the end of a day as we did. We had dinner at Antonia's, and stayed over to "do the town" the next day. Lodging runs from $68 for the night at Microtel to $295 a night at the restored Colonial Inn. Guess which one we picked! Have a great time! Tell Amanda...

My wife and I are new to the area, so we stopped by to learn about Hillsborough. The young lady in there, I think her name was Ann, from Chapel Hill, had studied History, was so warm, friendly and informative. We talked about the history of the area for quite awhile, and even discussed Silent Sam. Since General Johnston stayed in the house the Visitor Center is in during his surrender to General Sherman, we discussed both men and she was well informed about Sherman, she had read a book about him. I highly recommend anyone stop there even if you are just visiting for the day or, like my wife and I, have moved to the area. You will learn about all of the great historic sites in Hillsborough, get pamphlets, and learn about...