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When the 229th anniversary of the historic Battle of Guilford Courthouse is commemorated March 13-14, you can be sure Nancy Stewart will be there to help visitors appreciate the importance of this historic battle, which was instrumental in the outcome of the Revolutionary War.

Stewart is the Eastern national site supervisor of the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park.

“Many residents of Guilford County do not realize that this battleground is the first Revolutionary War battlefield in the United States to become a national park,” she said.

This is a great opportunity for men, women and children to hear the booms of the cannons, smell the fires that burn outside for warmth and the scents of colonial cooking and to see men and women dressed in colonial costumes representative of March 15, 1781— the date of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.

The Battle of Guilford Courthouse was considered the largest, most hotly contested battle of the Revolutionary War southern campaign.
“I never saw such fighting, since God made me,” Lt. Gen. Charles Cornwallis said after the battle. “The Americans fought like demons.”

The British considered themselves to be the victors at Guilford Courthouse, but they lost more than one quarter of their army. Of the 1,900 Redcoats, 532 were killed, wounded, captured or missing.

The defeated American army lost 264 men out of about 4,500.
Because of what happened at Guilford Courthouse, the British Army was so weakened, it eventually surrendered to Gen. George Washington at Yorktown, Va., on Oct. 19, 1781.

Stewart invites visitors to stop at the visitor center for a detailed map of the battleground, information about the battle and to view the patriotic movie. Visitors also can see the exhibits and browse for historical books and mementos at the museum store.

“All of this is meant to help us remember those who struggled to preserve our independence and for us to reflect on their sacrifices and to be inspired anew by their heroism,” she said.

On March 13-14, there will be living-history displays, military demonstrations, colonial music, guided battlefield walks and more.
From 2 to 3 p.m. each day at Country Park, there will be tactical demonstrations and re-enactments of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse.

Although there are a variety of volunteer opportunities, Stewart said the most pressing need is for volunteers to help at the visitor center.
Stewart is a great example of how a person can start as a volunteer and then be offered a full-time position with exciting responsibilities.
When Stewart’s children were small, she began volunteering at Tannenbaum Historic Park.

Through the years, she learned to be a re-enactor and living historian, showing what it was like to live in America during the Revolution. She dressed the part, wearing a colonial costume.

About 12 years ago, because of Stewart’s continued dedication and historical knowledge, she was offered her present full-time position.
Stewart believes the most important part of her job is interpreting history.

“Historical interpreters educate visitors by translating the past into a language they can understand,” she said. “The interpreter’s desire is to inspire others anew by the sacrifice, triumph and the striving to achieve important things as those who went before us did.”

Stewart wants visitors to forge a personal connection with the battleground and to be inspired to help preserve it for untold millions of yet unborn people — as our forefathers did for us.

She said the most interesting part of her job is the research about real people who fought and/or lived in Guilford County. “It’s like unraveling a mystery and ending up with a rip-roaring good story.”
Stewart, originally from Kannapolis, moved to Greensboro in 1978 from Atlanta.

In Stewart’s role at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, she searches for the best books and items for the park’s museum store and conducts tours and interpretive programs for the public.

She also serves as dance mistress for the Carolina Colonial Dancers, an 18th-century dance group that will perform at 11:30 a.m. March 13 at Tannenbaum Historic Park.

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Groups of 10 or more should make a reservation. Group tours are conducted on weekdays, usually in the mornings.

To suggest a person or organization who is “Making a Difference” in Guilford County, contact Peggy Longmire at rlongmire@triad.rr.com or 288-9040.