Johnston celebrating its role in the birth of America

The folks at Camp Flintlock will stage a living history
encampment during the fair on June 27. 

SMITHFIELD — Johnston County wasn’t a spectator to the American Revolution.

“We did send soldiers from the County to fight the first battle in North Carolina, at Moore’s Creek in Pender County,” said Todd Johnson, director of Johnston County Heritage Center.

“People were up in arms,” he added. “They were ready to fight.”

Johnson is among the organizers of Johnston County’s year-long celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Already, the County’s America 250 Committee has dedicated a mural to the Tuscarora people and conducted bus tours of historical sites. Next up is a fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at Johnston Community College in Smithfield.

Like the year-long celebration, the fair will be varied, Johnson said. On the schedule of events are a living history encampment, including a parade and cannon firing; art and history displays; a puppet show; carriage rides; a juried art and photography show; and food and craft vendors.

The food menu, by the way, will be decidedly 2026, not 1776.

“It’s hard to find people that can do the George Washington, Thomas Jefferson cuisine in Johnston County,” Johnson said, noting that the Founding Fathers were fond of mutton and duck. Besides, “it’s going to be a hot June day, and we want to make sure people are well hydrated and fed.”

The weekend will also feature performances of the Broadway musical “1776.”

Johnson is looking forward to it all. “I love it when people come together and they have fun learning about history,” he said, calling it “edutainment.” “Educate people and make it fun.”

“We’re divided,” he added, “and this is an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the things we have in common.”

Still to come

Later this year, as the 250 celebration continues, Johnston will dedicate three historical markers — two in Smithfield and one in Johnston County’s Meadow community.

“One is in memoriam for patriots from Johnston County,” Johnson explained. “It’ll be somewhere here in downtown Smithfield.”

A second marker in Smithfield will go in the town-owned cemetery at West Market Street and N.C. 210.

“That’s where the Johnston County militia mustered during the Revolutionary War,” Johnson said. “They fought down in South Carolina, all the major battles there in the 1780s.”

Another militia mustered in what was known then as Meadow Camp, now the Meadow community. 

“That was for the soldiers who fought at the Battle of Moore’s Creek, which was before the Declaration of Independence,” Johnson said. “Essentially, it stopped the progress of Loyalists and the British in North Carolina. It’s considered a pivotal battle, and the Johnston County militia was involved.”

Still in the planning stages are walking tours of downtowns in Johnston County.

“We’re encouraging all the towns to develop downtown walking tours,” perhaps with some buildings and homes open for tours, Johnson said.

To learn more about Johnston County’s America 250 celebration, go to the America 250 Page.