A ride on horseback rooted in oral history will be commemorated later this month when four surrounding counties host a reenactment of Betsy Dowdy’s midnight ride.
Supported by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and their America 250 North Carolina (A250NC) initiative, this free-to-attend event will take place on Saturday, May 30, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in celebration of America’s approaching 250th anniversary.
The event will retell the harrowing journey of 16-year-old Dowdy who reportedly galloped 50 miles from Currituck to Hertford on her horse, Black Bess, to deliver a critical warning to General William Skinner: British forces were advancing to seize Great Bridge.
Dowdy made the trek through four counties including Currituck, Camden, Pasquotank, and Perquimans. Each county is sponsoring its own Betsy for the ride, and spectators can cheer on the riders at the following locations.
Attendees should arrive 30 minutes before the provided start times:
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Currituck County: Pre-recorded; No live ride or festivities.
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Camden County: Lamb’s Marina – 152 US Hwy 158 W, Camden, NC at 10:30 a.m. – LIVE RIDE AT THIS LOCATION ON DAY OF EVENT.
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Pasquotank County: Pre-recorded; No live ride or festivities.
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Perquimans County: Rider will begin at First National Bank (1103 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, NC) at 12:15 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to gather at the Newbold White House (152 Newbold White Road, Hertford, NC) for the rider to reach the encampment at 12:30 p.m. – LIVE RIDE AT THIS LOCATION ON DAY OF EVENT.
Reenactors, exhibitors, and vendors will be on site throughout the afternoon with demonstrations and interpretive displays depicting North Carolina life in the eighteenth century.
The event will also be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook beginning at 9:30 a.m. for those who cannot attend in person. To watch, click here.
For further details, please see the official event page for the four-county reenactment on the North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources website.
