2026 Congress in Greensboro North Carolina

The 2026 Congress convenes in Greensboro July 9-16

SAR Magazine
Fall 2025
Vol. 120 No. 2, pp. 14-15

Invitation

The North Carolina Society is honored to invite you to the 136th Annual Congress, to be held from July 9-16, 2026, in Greensboro, N.C., which is named for Gen. Nathanael Greene, who commanded Continental and Militia soldiers in the Southern Colonies.

Next year’s Congress will feature a historical celebration of our shared commitment to the purpose of our National Society to “promote patriotism, preserve American history, and educate future generations.”

While at the Congress, you will have an opportunity to get engaged in multiple Revolutionary-focused tours and five grave-marking events. We encourage you to visit the Carolinas before or after the Congress and explore the major battles that defeated Great Britain’s “Southern Campaign,” which led to the seminal victory at Yorktown on Oct. 19, 1781. This Southern Campaign attempted to subdue the South and recruit badly needed troops for their dwindling army in the Northern Colonies. The southern partisans had other ideas.

Historical Background

North Carolinians were resistant to the murderous tactics of the British army at Lexington and Concord. However, internal feuds sprang up between those who wished to stay loyal to King George and those who wished to rebel. The partisans in Mecklenburg County at Charlottetown established a set of declarations and resolves to separate completely from the Crown in May-June of 1775. Other counties, such as those in the county seats of Salisbury and New Bern, crafted resolves to resist the despicable behavior of Parliament and the British army but remain loyal to the King. This feud was politically settled by North Carolina with the Halifax Resolves in April of 1776, when N.C. was the first Colony to unanimously support the Revolution.

British Commander Gen. Henry Clinton led an expeditionary flotilla in 1778 to capture Savannah, Ga., followed by the siege and capture of Charleston, S.C., in 1779 by Gen. Charles Cornwallis. The British had several quick victories, including the massacre of the Continental Col. Abraham Buford’s troops by Col. Banastre Tarleton at the battle of the Waxhaw’s and Gen. Cornwallis’ victory against Gen. Horatio Gates in the large battle at Camden, S.C.

In 1780, about 1,000 American militia from Georgia, Virginia and the Carolinas won the pivotal battle of Kings Mountain in October against Major Patrick Ferguson and his 1,000 Loyalists. The tide of victory shifted to the partisans of the South. Three months later, American Gen. Dan Morgan and his 1,900 Continental and Militia troops defeated Banastre Tarleton’s 1,200 troops in January 1781 at the crushing battle of the Cowpens.

In March 1781, the battle of Guilford Courthouse commenced between Gen. Greene and his 4,000 troops against Gen. Cornwallis and his 2,100 Regulars. Most historians proclaim it was “a tactical victory for Cornwallis and a strategic triumph for Greene.” This battle severely weakened the strength of the British army in the South, and Cornwallis later led his troops to Yorktown, Va., to their fateful demise.

Exciting Places to Visit

North Carolina is well known for its stunning geographic trifecta, including the Appalachian and Smoky Mountains; the rolling Piedmont terrain, with its renowned banking and aviation businesses; and the Coastal Plains, including a coastline of barrier islands, beaches, outer banks and marshes. This amazing state is full of visitor delights, including the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, Grandfather Mountain in Banner Elk, insight for your travels to Greensboro: the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, ‘The Greensboro area is served by Charlotte’s Billy Graham library, the Piedmont Triad International Airport National Whitewater Center and the (PTI) by Delta, American, and United NASCAR Museum and Speedway. airlines. PTI is a 12-minute drive to the

The Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill host hotel, the Sheraton Four Seasons, triangle offers some of America’s best and there is a free hotel shuttle. To museums in natural sciences, history, access the shuttle, call the Sheraton and arts and culture. The Seagrove Hotel at (336) 292-9161. area provides world-renowned pottery You can also arrive at the Raleigh or experiences. The coastal areas off er Charlotte airports and reach world-class beaches, maritime Greensboro by air or ground museums, lighthouses, wild horses and transportation. Greensboro’s Sheraton historic sites such as Wilmington, Four Seasons is 65 miles from the with the Battleship North Carolina.

North Carolina has world-renowned beaches, the Outer Banks with the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and fishing excursion of a lifetime beaches, and fishing excursions of a Charlotte and Raleigh to Greensboro lifetime.

Go to the N.C. travel and tourism site. The site will provide a free Travel Guide and state map. An N.C. attractions booklet will be available at registration site: VisitNC.com. This site will provide an. attractions booklet will be available at registration.

You may also get copies of key N.C. attractions available for your use here.

Travel Options

Dr. Sam Powell, long-time state and national SAR leader, provides this insight for your travels to Greensboro: “The Greensboro area is served by Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI_ by Delta, American, and United airlines. PIT is a 12-minute drive to the host hotel, the Sherton Four Seasons, and there is a free hotel shuttle. To access the shuttle, call the Sheraton Hotel at (336) 292-9161.

You can also arrive at the Raleigh or Charlotte airports and reach Greensboro by air or ground transportation. Greensboro’s Sheraton Four Seasons is 65 miles from the Charlottee Douglas International Airport (CLT). Tram service is provided from Charolette and Raleigh to Greensboro each day; however, the best option is to fly to Greensboro.

Special Opportunity for Western Members

We recognize that it is much harder to find unmarked graves of Revolutionary War Patriots west of the Mississippi River. We are excited to offer five grave-marking opportunities for attendees (up to 25 Patriots!) to earn the Patriot Grave Marking Medal. More details will be provide in the February issue of SAR Magazine.

Schedule of Events

Here is a brief preview of the major events. A more specific listing of all events will be provided in another SAR Magazine article in February.

• July 9 – Staff/volunteers/general officers will arrive to set up for the Congress.
• July l O- EXCOM Breakfast, Foundation Meeting, registration begins.
• July 11 – Tours to Old Salem, grave markings in Hillsboro, Host Reception at 5 p.m.
• July 12 – Memorial Service, First Lady’s Tea, Rumbaugh Orations.
• July 13 – Council of State President’s Breakfast, Opening Ceremony,
• July 13 – Ladies Auxiliary Meeting, Youth Awards Luncheon, Recognition Night.
• July 14 – District Breakfasts, Ladies Luncheon, Congress Session, PG’s Banquet.
• July 15 – Donor Breakfast, Congress Session, Short Tours, Installation Banquet.
• July 16 – EXCOM Breakfast meeting, Foundation Meeting, last five grave markings.