252 years ago, between the 25th and 27th of August 1774, 71 Delegates from across the state of North Carolina, gathered in the Old Craven County Courthouse in downtown New Bern, NC to attend the very 1st North Carolina Provincial Congress.  This was the very first Provincial Congress to be held in all of the then Thirteen Colonies.  This meeting became known as the “New Bern Resolves”.  

The New Bern Resolves reflected the growing discontent of the colonies with British rule.   This represented an early, expression of resistance to British policies by calling for economic sanctions against Great Britain and its trading partners. As one of the earliest calls for solidarity among the colonies, the New Bern Resolves laid the groundwork for broader revolutionary movement.

In addition to inspiring other communities in North Carolina to adopt similar measures, the New Bern Resolves helped galvanize support for the First Continental Congress that met in Philadelphia in September 1774. Representatives from the colonies coordinated a collective response outlined in the Continental Association.

To commemorate that event, that 3-day meeting of when those brave men who took a stand in opposition to the tyranny of the British Crown and Parliament, on August 22nd, 2026, the New Bern SAR Chapter, Richard Dobbs Spaight DAR Chapter, Tryon Palace Historic Site, St. John's Masonic Lodge #3, National Sojourners, Scottish Rite and York Rite will host a special event,

The day will begin at 09:30 with a Procession or Parade of Colonial participants, including the Tryon Palace Fife & Drum Corps, 1st Regiment of the North Carolina Continental Line, New Bern and State SAR, Richard Dobbs Spaight Chapter and State DAR, Saint John’s Masonic Lodge No. 3, and much more.  The Procession will start from behind the North Carolina History Center (529 South Front St), travel down Metcalf Street, turn left onto Pollock Street and continue through the Tryon Palace front gates to the South Lawn (15 minutes to walk the route).  After the Procession, starting at 10:00, a Ceremony will be held on the South Lawn of the Tryon Palace. 

This event is open to the public and FREE to attend.