Homeschooling Day Trips: Guilford Courthouse (Battlefield)

We have been to Guilford Courthouse many times. It is a great place to visit and a great place to learn about Revolutionary War History. Right in the heart of Greensboro, North Carolina, one will find history come alive on the battlefield of Guilford Courthouse. Each year, there is a live reenactment of this important battle on or around the date in March of the original battle of March 15, 1781. Visitors can visit the battlefield of Guilford Courthouse year-round, however. Visit the website for visitor information and hours of operation.

The National Park has a bike trail, walking trails and auto trails. Those choosing to drive can stop at certain key points of the battlefield, park and walk around. Our family likes to start the tour of the battlefield by visiting the visitor's center. There are two presentations shown around the clock there. One is similar to a power point presentation that shows the movement of the troops on the battlefield on the day of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. The second presentation is a short, thirty minute movie where actors portray various soldiers involved in the battle throughout the day of March 15, 1781. The gift shop is full of wonderful books on the Revolutionary War for people of al ages, with a special section of books covering detailed descriptions of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.

Leaving from the visitor's center, one can walk, ride a bike or drive to tour the battlefield. The area is heavily wooded, just as it was on the day of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. The heavy woods added to the confusion of the troops of both General Cornwallis and General Greene once the battle was underway. There are eight stops along the tour where visitors can read about events during the battle.

After the tour, visitors can also visit the Colonial Heritage Center in Tannenbaum Historic Park, if they would like to visit the spot where Cornwallis formed his troops into a line of battle a quarter mile from the battlefield site at Guildford Courthouse. The Colonial Heritage Center has several education displays and interactive displays that we found very educational.

On the day of the battle reenactment, there is great excitement in the air. Our children loved the reenactment of the battle itself, but also enjoyed the educational activities and tents set up around the area, as well. Onlookers to the reenactment of the Battle of Guildford Courthouse will see Redcoat (British) soldiers and American soldiers dressed in full uniforms of the period and with working weapons (replicas) from the period. My boys were impressed with the loud booms of the cannons and rifles in the smoke filled air. The actors fall to the ground as they get shot, men begin yelling, and the sounds of Huzzah! can readily be heard from among the ranks.

This year, we are looking forward to watching the reenactment once again, as some of our older boys may participate in the reenactment. My middle son is writing his research paper this year on the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and this prompted us to return once again to the battlefield to learn more details of this historic battle that was a victory for the British only in the sense that the Americans retreated. When word reached England of this victory, Charles James Fox said in the House of Commons, "Another such victory would ruin the British Army." Cornwallis lost one-fourth of his soldiers that fateful day, while the American army had very few losses in comparison.

Visiting the Battlefield at Guilford Courthouse, is a great experience each and every time we visit. Visit the battlefield to see for yourself and learn why the Battle of Guilford Courthouse was an American defeat that helped America win the Revolutionary War. I could tell you, but it would ruin the surprise!