From Tea Trolley Tours to costumed interpreters and guest speakers, the commemorative events of this past year are about to culminate in Edenton’s patriotic celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Edenton Tea Party on October 25th & 26th!
This once-in-a-lifetime celebratory weekend is one that you won’t want to miss as all of Edenton gathers together to commemorate the courageous actions of 51 colonial women, led by Penelope Barker.
In October 1774, colonists fought against the tyranny and unfair taxes of King George III, but the women of Edenton decided to take decisive action and let their voices be heard!
As one local legend recalls, Penelope Barker invited 50 women from around the colony to a tea party at the house of her friend, Elizabeth King. Today, the location of this house, near King Street, is marked by Edenton’s famous teapot.
It was there, while sipping on a homemade tea of local mulberry leaves and lavender, that these 51 valiant women penned their names to a famous document, known as the Edenton Resolves, in solidarity against British imported tea and other goods.
This action became known as one of the first organized, written political protests by women in Colonial America.
The Edenton Tea Party was not a copycat protest. These 51 courageous women did not hide behind costumes or masks and dump tea into the nearby Albemarle Sound.
Rather, on October 25, 1774, they publically affixed their 51 signatures to a document which survives, even today, as a testament to their resolve and pursuit of independence.
We invite you to join us in Edenton for a spectacular two-day weekend celebration to celebrate American history and independence as we remember the actions of these brave women!
The weekend’s opening ceremony at the 1776 Chowan County Courthouse Green will feature the ringing of the historic Courthouse Bell 250 times to signify each year of the anniversary.
From there, historical exhibits, costumed interpreters, and self-guided tours are available throughout Edenton’s historic district to highlight and discuss the significance of the Edenton Tea Party.
Friday’s keynote lecture will feature Margaret Pritchard, retired Deputy Chief Curator for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. She will discuss the satirical 1775 print of Edenton’s Tea Party ladies.
This special lecture will take place at 1736 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with a reception to follow.
The celebrations will continue on Saturday with a Colonial Market at the 1758 Cupola House and Gardens, a living history program featuring costumed interpreters at the 1800/1827 James Iredell House and Gardens, and a book launch of Within Our Power: The Story of the Edenton Ladies’ Tea Party by Sally Walker at the Shepard-Pruden Memorial Library.
Throughout the day, food truck vendors will be stationed at Colonial Waterfront Park.
The weekend’s celebrations will wrap up with an outdoor concert featuring award-winning all-female bluegrass band Sister Sadie and a spectacular fireworks show at Colonial Waterfront Park.
All events are free and open to the public, so make plans now to book a room in one of our B&Bs and join us October 25th & 26th in Edenton for a weekend you won’t soon forget!
This celebration is a great time to explore “the South’s Prettiest Small Town,” learn about Edenton’s famous history, and enjoy its even more famous Southern hospitality and charm.
We can’t wait to see you soon!
