Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park is a preserved Revolutionary War battlefield spanning over 250 acres with monuments, markers, and exhibits placed throughout the grounds. The landscape itself tells the story of how the fighting unfolded, with information stations at key positions where different units engaged.

The battle on March 15, 1781, was a turning point when British forces under Cornwallis suffered heavy losses that weakened their position. Though the British held the field that day, the damage to their army proved crucial to American success in the broader conflict.

The grounds tell the story of people from different backgrounds who fought here: militia members, Continental soldiers, and African Americans who played a role in the battle. Walking through the site, you see stone markers placed throughout the landscape that identify where different units stood and fought.

The park is easy to explore on foot, with marked paths connecting different areas that visitors can navigate at their own pace. Audio guides through mobile apps help explain the key locations and what happened at each position on the grounds.

A private citizen named David Schenck recognized the battlefield's importance in 1886 and began preserving it on his own, years before the government took official action. His personal effort eventually led to its designation as a national park in 1917.