A week-long celebration of Gov. Richard Caswell , one of Kinston's first landowners, a Revolutionary War hero and the first governor of North Carolina, begins Sunday and will continue through Aug. 19.

The city, the county and the state General Assembly have passed resolutions honoring Caswell.
The celebration will include dozens of commemorative events organized by the Lenoir County Colonial Commission under the auspices of the Historical Preservation Group. It is expected to attract visitors from all over the state.

The Gov. Richard Caswell Memorial State Historic Site Museum, also a partner in the celebration's planning, will re-open with new exhibits during the observance of Caswell's contributions to the state.

Keats Sparrow, dean emeritus of the College of Arts and Sciences at East Carolina University, is chairing the steering committee for the Caswell celebration.

"Richard Caswell is certainly a central character in the early development of North Carolina and one of the state's 'first citizens,'" Sparrow said. "We intend for the celebration to honor him appropriately and demonstrate the importance of his life. Given the celebration's cultural and historical implications, the celebration of Gov. Richard Caswell could well be the most important event of its type ever held in Kinston. As a native of the city, I'm both proud and excited."
The observance will formally begin with the Richard Caswell Memorial Service at St. Mary's Episcopal Church on Sunday at 3 p.m. At 5 p.m. a series of commemorative events will begin at the Caswell Monument at the Lenoir County Courthouse, including the laying of a wreath and a presentation of flags.

On the following day, the Colonial Commission will release the first Caswell biography at a Kinston Community Council of the Arts reception. The book, already being called a valuable resource for the study of colonial and revolutionary periods in the state, will then go on sale.
Throughout the week, there will be concerts, lectures, exhibits of period artifacts and special observances. Caswell will even be honored at a Kinston Indians baseball game, and many of his descendants will be attending a Caswell Family Reunion in the city.
On Friday, major events will conclude with a mock funeral for Caswell conducted by local Masons. A glass-covered, horse-drawn hearse will deliver the Caswell "body" to the Caswell Family Cemetery, where full Masonic Rites will be performed.

Many state dignitaries are expected to be on hand for the "funeral" and the public is invited. Military demonstrations and similar living history events will continue throughout the afternoon.
As a young man, Caswell bought land in an area that later became Kinston. As a professional surveyor, he laid out the town and helped name the streets, including Caswell Street. He also married the daughter of William Herritage, a prominent attorney.

In 1774, Caswell was elected to represent North Carolina at the First and Second Continental Congresses held in Philadelphia, along with William Hooper and Joseph Hewes. John Adams was to later say, "We always looked to Richard Caswell from North Carolina. He was a model man and true patriot."

Later, he was to lead colonial forces at the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge where the colonials defeated the Tories, a victory that established Caswell as a Revolutionary War hero. He became a major general and commanded the Army of North Carolina.

Caswell was elected as North Carolina's first governor, a post he eventually held for six terms. He is credited with firm leadership and sound guidance as the state went through the turbulent post-Revolutionary years.

While presiding in 1789 over the state's General Assembly meeting in the capital city of Fayetteville, Caswell died of a stroke. His body was returned to Kinston where he is thought to have been buried in the family cemetery."

Richard Caswell made a stunning contribution to the United States in its beginning. Furthermore, he can be called the 'father' of North Carolina with little exaggeration," Sparrow said.

The schedule:

WEEK-LONG EVENTS
August 14-18
Tuesday - Friday (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.) Colonial and Revolutionary Exhibits
Saturday (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Community Council for the Arts 400 N. Queen St.

August 12-19
Monday-Thursday (9 a.m.-9 p.m. )
Friday and Saturday (9 a.m.-6 p.m.)
Sunday (Noon - 4 p.m.) Colonial and Revolutionary Exhibits
Neuse Regional Library 510N. Queen St. at corner of Washington Ave.

SUNDAY-August 12:

3 p.m. Richard Caswell Memorial Service and Masonic Bible Presentation
St. Mary's Episcopal Church 800 Rountree St. at corner of Rhem St.

5 p.m. Wreath Laying Ceremony by Historic Preservation Group/LC Colonial Commission
Caswell Monument at Courthouse 130 S. Queen St, at the corner of King Street

5:15 Veterans Military Salute to Richard Caswell
Caswell Monument at Courthouse 130 S. Queen St, at the corner of King Street

MONDAY

7 p.m. Gov. and Mrs. Caswell Reception /Release of Caswell Biography
Community Council for the Arts 400 N. Queen St. at corner of Blount Street

TUESDAY

7 p.m. Kinston Lenoir Community Chorale Patriotic Tribute
Kinston High School Performing Arts Center2601 N. Queen St.

7:30 p.m. Lecture on the "Black Experience in Revolutionary North Carolina"
Kinston High School Performing Arts Center 2601 N. Queen St.

WEDNESDAY

5 p.m. Gov. Caswell Essay Awards Presentation and Social
Location: Harmony Hall 100 Block of E. King St.

THURSDAY

11 a.m.-1 p.m., 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Museum Row Day

Richard Caswell visiting at all sites throughout the day
Historic Downtown Kinston King, Queen and Heritage Streets

7:00 Kinston Indians Baseball; Caswell throws the first pitch and enjoys the ball game
Indians Vs. Salem
Historic Grainger Stadium 400 E. Vernon Ave. at the corner of East Street

FRIDAY

8:45-9 a.m. Caswell Descendants Wreath-Laying Ceremony at Caswell Family Cemetery Caswell Family Cemetery at Gov. Caswell State Historic Site

9 a.m. National Sojourners - Flag Presentation
Caswell Family Cemetery at Gov. Caswell State Historic Site 2612 W. Vernon Ave.

9:25 a.m. The Grand Lodge of N.C. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons will re-enact Masonic Burial Ceremony of Richard Caswell
Caswell Family Cemetery at Gov. Caswell State Historic Site 2612 W. Vernon Ave.

10:30 a.m. Tryon Palace Fife and Drum Corps
Gov. Caswell State Historic Site 2612 W. Vernon Ave.

11 a.m. Re-opening of the Caswell Memorial Museum
Location: Gov. Caswell State Historic Site 2612 W. Vernon Ave.

2:30 p.m. "A Hero Among Masons" Granite Marker Ceremony by the Grand Lodge of N.C. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons for Brother Richard Caswell
Caswell Family Cemetery at Gov. Caswell State Historic Site 2612 W. Vernon Ave.

6 p.m. Richard Caswell Lecture by Dr. Keats Sparrow
Small Auditorium (Main building) at Lenoir Community College at intersection of U.S. 70 E and N.C. 58

7 p.m. - 9 p.m. A floating reception given by St. John's Masonic Lodge No. 4 and Richard Caswell Masonic Lodge No. 704 honor their brother Richard Caswell and his living descendants
St John Lodge No. 4 , 1810 N. Herritage St.

SATURDAY

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Living Histories
Gov. Caswell State Historic Site 2612 W. Vernon Ave.

10:30 a.m. Daughter of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Children of the American Revolution and Colonial Dames Wreath-Laying Ceremony
Caswell Family Cemetery at Gov. Caswell State Historic Site 2612 W. Vernon Ave. (US 70 Business)

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Living Histories
Gov. Caswell State Historic Site

Caswell Descendants Gathering
Harmony Hall 100 Block of East King Street. Parking around the corner at Harmony Hall side entrance or in the courthouse parking lot

7 p.m. National Guard Band Concert
Grainger Hill Performing Arts Center

SUNDAY, Aug. 19:

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Living Histories
Gov. Caswell State Historic Site 2612 W. Vernon Ave.