Above: The House of Representatives Chamber in the North Carolina State Capitol
Even 400 years after his death, Sir Walter Raleigh
continues to intrigue Americans as well as Britons, and especially in North
Carolina. Raleigh sponsored three
expeditions to Roanoke colony in the 1580s, the earliest English attempt to
settle North America.
In 1792, North Carolina’s legislature honoured this
feat by naming the state’s new capital city for the explorer, soldier, and
writer. Much later, two districts of the city were named Budleigh, after his
home village, and Hayes Barton, after his birthplace.
On Saturday, October 27, the State Capitol joined worldwide remembrances of Raleigh by showcasing demonstrations of
Elizabethan-era life on the Capitol grounds from noon until 4.00 pm.
Re-enactors, including a portrayal of Sir Walter
himself, interacted with visitors and offered activities such as dance
demonstrations, Elizabethan game play, a brass rubbing activity station,
scriptorium activity station, and tailoring demonstrations.
Inside the Capitol, visitors were invited to view a
rare copy of a 1652 edition of The
History of the World, written by Raleigh. The book was on short-term loan
from the University of North Carolina Libraries at UNC Chapel Hill.
At 3.00 pm, a formal ceremony commemorating
Raleigh’s life and legacy was held in the historic House Chamber. North
Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall gave remarks, and dignitaries
representing North Carolina and British organizations participated.
This event was free and open to all. No
reservations were necessary.
FOR THE RALEIGH 400 CALENDAR OF EVENTS WORLDWIDE IN 2018 CLICK ON
No comments:
Post a Comment